Free and open first

Best App Installation in 2026

Use app installation tools to place software on Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted systems, the web, or an API. This list helps people compare installation and deployment choices on a budget.

24 apps
Research read 7 Oct 2026
How the order is worked out

1

OPSI

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3

OPSI covers deployment, inventory, patching, and configuration in a single client-management system. Check the license limits and minimum device purchase against the size of your setup.

8.8 Free plan · paid from €4.99/yr · 42-day trial Visit site
2

Chocolatey
by Chocolatey
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Chocolatey offers a free unlimited-machine foundation plus paid controls for personal and organizational deployment.

7.5 Free plan · paid from $18/yr · 14-day trial Visit site
3

Homebrew

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Homebrew offers package installation across macOS, Linux, and WSL, with formulae, casks, and Brewfile-based setup. Its lack of lockfiles and limits on supported systems are worth considering.

7.3 Open source Visit site
4

Nix
by Nix
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

Nix offers package management, system configuration, and a broad set of reproducible-build and deployment capabilities at no listed cost.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
5

GNU Guix
by GNU Guix
Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

GNU Guix offers profile-based software management with reproducibility and rollback features. Its listed platform is Linux, and some security-critical HPC components may stay outside a user’s control.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
6

Patch My PC

Free plan MacSelf-hostedWeb+1

Patch My PC provides application packaging and updates through tools that integrate with common Microsoft management products.

7.2 From $3,500/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
7

Flatpak Builder

Free plan Linux

Flatpak Builder provides a manifest- and SDK-based route to build Flatpak applications, install them locally, or export them to a repository.

7.1 Open source Visit site
8

Munki

Free plan MacSelf-hosted

Munki provides administrators with repository, package, and manifest tools alongside a client interface for updates and optional software.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
9

Npackd

Free plan LinuxWindows

Npackd combines a graphical store, command-line package management, repository controls, and software tracking at no listed cost.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
10

UniGetUI

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

UniGetUI makes package-manager tasks accessible through a graphical interface and supports batch actions across multiple package sources. Check compatibility and package sources before installing.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
11

Gentoo Portage

Free plan Linux

Portage provides Gentoo’s core package installation, dependency handling, and maintenance system.

6.8 Free plan Visit site
12

Void Linux

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

Void Linux combines a rolling-release model with XBPS package management and runit service supervision.

6.7 Free plan Visit site
13

Distr

Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1

6.6 Free plan · paid from $80/user/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
14

Scoop

Free plan Windows

Scoop offers free, scriptable Windows installation with dependency handling and bucket-based distribution. It is most suitable for users comfortable with PowerShell and command-line workflows.

6.3 Free plan Visit site
15

APT

Free plan Linux

6.2 Free plan Visit site
16

WinGet

Free plan Windows

WinGet provides broad command-line package management across supported Windows versions, with multiple sources and enterprise controls.

6.2 Free plan Visit site
17

Zypper

Free plan Linux

Zypper combines package installation, updates, searching, repository administration, and distribution upgrades in one Linux command-line tool.

6.2 Free plan Visit site
18

Installomator

Free plan Mac

5.9 Free plan Visit site
19

Ninite Pro

Free trial WebWindows

Ninite Pro provides centralized Windows application management with policy controls, offline handling and RMM options.

5.9 From $1/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
20

Robopack

Free plan WebWindows

5.8 Free plan · paid from $1,000/yr Visit site
21

PDQ Deploy

Free trial Self-hostedWindows

PDQ Deploy provides centralized Windows deployment with scheduling, custom packages, and deployment history.

5.7 Free plan · paid from $1,950/yr · 14-day trial Visit site
22

DNF

Paid APILinuxSelf-hosted

DNF covers interactive, automated, and programmable package management for RPM-based Linux. Administrators should account for its YUM transaction-data separation and the stated modularity deprecation.

5.5 Open source Visit site
23

Jamf Pro
by Jamf
Paid MaciPhone

Choose Jamf Pro if your organization needs Apple device management and the relevant Mac or mobile capabilities in its plans.

4.8 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Visit site
24

Replicated

Paid Web

4.0 From $2,000/mo · 21-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Before choosing, review free plans, starting paid prices, trials, and open-source licences, then check operating-system coverage, deployment approaches, device caps, silent installs, and rollback options.

Questions

Can I find app installation tools with no-cost plans?

Yes. Free pricing or a free plan is listed for APT, DNF, Flatpak Builder, Gentoo Portage, GNU Guix, Homebrew, Installomator, and Munki.

Which tools list open-source code?

Open-source pricing notes appear for DNF, Flatpak Builder, and Homebrew.

Which tools have free trials?

Distr lists a 30-day trial, while Jamf Pro and Ninite Pro list 14-day trials.

What platforms can these tools target?

The listed platforms cover Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted systems, the web, and an API.

What should I compare besides price?

Look at deployment targets, operating-system support, deployment methods, device limits, silent installation, and rollback support.

Questions

More in IT & Infrastructure