Side by side
Meson vs Ninja
Both stand on build automation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Meson combines a readable build-definition language with multiple backends, IDE integrations, and cross-compilation support. Account for its Python requirement and the Ninja dependency when using the default backend.
Visit Meson Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Ninja focuses on running generated build inputs in parallel and handling incremental dependencies. Its design depends on a separate input generator and lacks built-in rules and build-time customization features.
Visit NinjaThe facts
| Meson | Ninja | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | mesonbuild.com | ninja-build.org |
| On build automation software | #13 of 42 | #17 of 42 |
Meson: what it does well
- Supports seven listed programming languages.
- Cross-compiles for many systems and bare metal.
- Offers Visual Studio and Xcode backends.
- Provides JSON build introspection for IDEs and tools.
What to know first
- Requires Python 3.10 or newer.
- Default backend requires the Ninja executable.
- Build definitions do not support wildcard source lists.
Ninja: what it does well
- Runs builds in parallel by default.
- Can discover C and C++ header dependencies.
- GN and CMake can generate Ninja input files.
- Binaries are available for Linux, Mac, and Windows.
- The project identifies Apache-2.0 as its license.
What to know first
- It has no built-in rules for compiling C code.
- A separate program must generate its input files.
- It has no public API.
- The site identifies v1.13.1 as its last release.