Side by side

install4j vs InstallShield

Both stand on software packaging tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

install4j

Free trial LinuxMacWindows

install4j covers visual installer design, automated builds, runtime bundling and release signing across several output formats. Check the Java 25 requirement for version 13.1.1 and the Windows Edition media restriction before choosing an edition.

Visit install4j

InstallShield

Free trial Windows

InstallShield covers Windows packaging from authoring through automation, signing, and deployment. Professional and Premier provide different installer and web-deployment capabilities, with a 14-day trial for evaluation.

Visit InstallShield

The facts

	install4j	InstallShield
Free plan	A free trial	A free trial
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Linux, Mac, Windows	Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	InstallShield Professional: $4,723 a year
Plans published	2	4
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	ej-technologies.com	revenera.com
On software packaging tools	#22 of 28	#26 of 28

install4j: what it does well

Native installers for Windows, macOS and POSIX systems
More than 80 configurable installer actions
JDK bundling and optimized JRE creation
Signing, notarization and SBOM capabilities
Command-line packaging with CI/CD integration

What to know first

No free plan is listed
Version 13.1.1 requires Java 25
Windows Edition builds Windows media only
Support beyond 60 days is optional

InstallShield: what it does well

Builds MSI, EXE, APPX, and MSIX installers
Converts MSI packages to MSIX
Supports silent command-line automation
Integrates with Microsoft Visual Studio
Digitally signs installations and application files

What to know first

No free plan
Professional starts at $4,723 a year
Premier starts at $7,795 a year
Authoring requires Windows

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