Free and open first
Best Package Managers in 2026 — page 4
- 93 apps
- Research read 28 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 76
Zypper
Free plan LinuxZypper combines package installation, updates, searching, repository administration, and distribution upgrades in one Linux command-line tool.
- 77
pkg_add
Free planpkg_add provides package installation and updates across OpenBSD architectures with dependency resolution and signature checks.
- 78
pkgin
Free plan LinuxMacpkgin offers comprehensive pkgsrc binary-package management across several Unix-like platforms.
- 79
zef
Free plan Linuxzef covers installation, discovery, dependency handling, testing, and configurable repository workflows for Raku modules. Its Linux focus and beta upgrade status are key considerations.
- 80
Flatpak Builder
Free plan LinuxFlatpak Builder provides a manifest- and SDK-based route to build Flatpak applications, install them locally, or export them to a repository.
- 81
CPAN Minus
Free plan LinuxCPAN Minus provides a lightweight, configurable route for obtaining and installing Perl software.
- 82
CRUX pkgutils
Free plan LinuxCRUX pkgutils fits users who prefer a small, direct package system and manual control.
- 83
slackpkg
Free plan Linuxslackpkg provides a broad set of package-management and maintenance commands for Slackware Linux. Its mirror requirement and cleanup behavior are important considerations before use.
- 84
Slackware pkgtools
Free plan Linuxpkgtools covers essential local package tasks through commands and an interactive menu. Its manual dependency model and separate network-update tool are important parts of using it.
- 85
Synaptic
Free plan LinuxSynaptic provides broad graphical control over APT and Debian package management.
- 86
opkg
Free plan Linuxopkg remains the package manager for OpenWrt 24.10 and older, with repository, URL, local-file, and offline installation paths.
- 87
Pacstall
Free plan LinuxPacstall combines package installation, dependency handling, repository management, and package creation for dpkg/apt-based Linux systems.
- 88
Pacman
Free plan LinuxPacman combines package installation, repository synchronization, dependency resolution, querying, and package building for Linux systems.
- 89
Gleam
Paid AndroidLinuxMac+2Gleam offers a complete language toolchain with Erlang and JavaScript targets, practical typing, and access to the wider BEAM package ecosystem.
- 90
DNF
Paid APILinuxSelf-hostedDNF 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.
- 91
snapd
Paid APILinuxSelf-hostedsnapd provides a cross-distribution package format with update controls, confinement, and a local management API.
- 92
- 93
DUB
Paid LinuxMacWindowsDUB combines D dependency handling, project commands, testing, and configurable builds in one free, open-source tool.