Side by side

Diesel vs Squirrel.Windows

Both stand on database query builders. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Squirrel.Windows covers packaging and updating for Windows desktop applications with several output formats and distribution options. It is most relevant when Windows-only delivery and developer-controlled update behavior are priorities.

Visit Squirrel.Windows

The facts

	Diesel	Squirrel.Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Linux, Mac, Windows	Windows
Lowest paid plan	Not published	Free or on request
Plans published	None	1
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	diesel.rs	github.com
On database query builders	#8 of 55	#4 of 55

Diesel: what it does well

Squirrel.Windows: what it does well

MIT open-source license
Supports C#, native C++, and other languages
Delta packages can reduce update size
Silent installation and automatic updates
Command-line and CI/CD integration

What to know first

Windows-only platform
No graphical cross-platform distribution support listed
Updates and installs require developer configuration
NuGet-based packaging may not fit non-Windows apps

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