Cimian
Cimian is a free, open-source Windows software deployment system built around a web-server repository of packages and metadata.
What Cimian is
Cimian is a free, open-source Windows software deployment system built around a web-server repository of packages and metadata. It automates installations, updates, removals, and zero-touch bootstrap provisioning. Supported formats include MSI, MSIX, EXE, PowerShell scripts, and NuGet packages. The system handles Windows x64 and ARM64 and uses YAML for settings, manifests, catalogs, and package metadata. Its WinUI 3 Managed Software Center lets users browse, install, update, and remove optional software without administrator rights. Conditional rules can select software using hostname, architecture, operating-system version, or domain. Cimian describes Microsoft Intune integration, AWS S3 and Azure Blob Storage support, TLS communications, package signature validation, PowerShell signing, and audit logging. Listed compliance features include change tracking, approval workflows, reporting, and role-based access controls. It is distributed under the MIT License and is self-hosted.
Good
- Open-source and free under the MIT License
- Supports MSI, MSIX, EXE, scripts, and NuGet
- Automates installation, updates, and removals
- Self-service software without admin rights
- Conditional deployment based on system facts
Watch out
- Self-hosted repository required
- Supports Windows only
- Latest release build is provided unsigned
- Administration uses YAML configuration
Who it suits
Cimian suits organizations managing Windows software across a few machines or thousands of systems. It is for administrators comfortable with self-hosted repositories, YAML configuration, and Windows deployment agents.
Verdict
Cimian provides broad Windows package deployment and self-service controls without a license charge. Its self-hosted design and unsigned release build require organizations to handle infrastructure and signing responsibilities.
Plans and prices
From Cimian's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Cimian | Free | Open-source Windows software deployment system; self-hosted repository |
The facts
Each one read from Cimian's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Architecture
- Cimian supports Windows x64 and ARM64 architectures and is built with C# and .NET 10.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- The README lists change tracking, configurable approval workflows, compliance reporting, and role-based access controls as compliance features.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Conditional deployment
- Conditional items can select software based on system facts such as hostname, architecture, operating system version, and domain.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Administrators configure Cimian with YAML files for settings, manifests, catalogs, and package metadata.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- It automates software deployments, updates, and removals, including zero-touch bootstrap provisioning.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project describes integration with Microsoft Intune, including .intunewin packages, and cloud storage such as AWS S3 and Azure Blob Storage.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project says it is intended for organizations of all sizes, from environments with a few machines to deployments across thousands of systems.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- Cimian is distributed under the MIT License.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Package formats
- It supports MSI, MSIX, EXE, PowerShell scripts, and NuGet .nupkg packages.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Cimian is an open-source system for managing and automating Windows software installations through a web server based repository of packages and metadata.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Release signing
- The latest release page says its build is provided unsigned and gives instructions to sign binaries and MSI installers with an organization's certificate.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The README describes TLS encryption for repository communications, package signature validation, PowerShell signing, and audit logging as security features.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Self service
- Its WinUI 3 Managed Software Center lets users browse, install, update, and remove optional software without admin rights.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support and contribution
- The README invites users to contribute, report issues, or suggest improvements through the GitHub repository.checked 4 Oct 2026
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