Side by side
IzPack vs nFPM
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.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
IzPack provides customizable Java application installers and documents several packaging and build options. Teams that need the Windows native launcher from IzPack 4 should note that it is unsupported in version 5.
Visit IzPack Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1
nFPM offers package creation through a standalone binary or Go library, with configuration for multiple formats. Treat MSIX as experimental and account for its symlink limitation if that format matters.
Visit nFPMThe facts
| IzPack | nFPM | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | izpack.org | nfpm.goreleaser.com |
| On software packaging tools | #10 of 29 | #14 of 29 |
IzPack: what it does well
- Free under the Apache Software License 2.0.
- Supports Windows, Linux, Solaris, and Mac OS X destinations.
- Offers installer customization and optional native integration.
- Documents command-line packaging and silent installation.
- Supports CI/CD integration.
What to know first
- Requires a Java virtual machine to run the installer.
- IzPack 5 does not support the Windows native launcher from version 4.
- Gradle, Scala SBT, and Buildr plugins are independent.
nFPM: what it does well
- Creates six listed package formats.
- Works as a CLI or Go library.
- YAML configuration covers metadata, files, and dependencies.
- Offers several documented installation routes.
- Free, with MIT licensing.
What to know first
- MSIX support is experimental.
- Symlinks are skipped for MSIX packages.
- Support questions go to the GoReleaser community.