Conan

Overview

Conan is a C and C++ package manager for projects whose dependencies and compiled binaries need to travel across varied build environments. It suits developers and teams managing native software beyond a single desktop platform. Its breadth is a strength, though teams wanting hosted private packages need to operate their own server.

Key features

Dependency and binary management

Conan recipes describe packages, and the manager resolves dependencies while handling binary packages. Lockfiles help preserve a selected dependency set; workspaces support coordinated project work. Local caching, remote repositories, and offline installation make it practical to work with packages even when a remote connection is unavailable. Private registry authentication is supported.

Binary configurations can account for architectures, compilers and compiler versions, runtimes, and C++ standard libraries. When a matching binary is unavailable, Conan can build from source on demand. That flexibility helps teams share and reuse native binaries across an organization, but it also makes Conan a more relevant choice for teams prepared to manage the range of configurations their projects require.

Build and repository integrations

Conan integrates with CMake, MSBuild, Makefiles, Meson, SCons, and proprietary build systems, alongside tools including Docker, MinGW, WSL, and JFrog Artifactory. This range can fit established build pipelines rather than requiring a project to adopt one build system. For private packages, Artifactory Community Edition can be hosted on a team's own server and includes a WebUI, advanced authentication, permissions, a generic CLI, and generic repositories; self-hosting means the infrastructure remains the team's responsibility.

Conan is MIT-licensed. The page reports 3.4M monthly PyPI downloads, 1,948 recipes, and 10,287 references. Its community includes more than 70 expert users and contributors, and full-time maintainers support many thousands of users. Installation support is available through documentation, Slack, and GitHub; the downloads page lists version 2.32.0.

Pricing

Conan

Conan is free and open source. The package manager includes C and C++ dependency and binary management, a local cache, and remote repositories. It is the natural fit for individuals and teams seeking package management without a software fee; the trade-off for private package hosting is that the free Artifactory Community Edition is a server the team runs itself.

Artifactory Community Edition

Artifactory Community Edition is a free server for hosting private packages on your own server. Its repository and access-management features suit teams that need private package infrastructure and can maintain it; teams seeking a hosted service should consider another option.

Platforms

Conan targets desktop, server, mobile, embedded, and bare-metal systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It also works with FreeBSD and other operating systems. This makes it a strong fit for cross-platform native development, particularly where embedded or bare-metal targets matter.

Who it's for

Conan is best suited to C and C++ developers and organizations that need dependency and binary management across multiple operating systems, build systems, or hardware targets. Its build integrations and configurable binaries are useful where a project must account for different compilers, runtimes, and standard libraries. It is less compelling for teams that do not need native package management or that want private packages without operating their own server.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad operating-system and target coverage, including embedded and bare-metal systems, supports projects beyond conventional desktop builds.
• Pros: Binary configurations and on-demand source builds help accommodate differing toolchains and avoid depending on a single prebuilt configuration.
• Pros: Multiple build-system integrations, offline installation, lockfiles, and workspaces cover practical needs across development workflows.
• Cons: Private package hosting through Artifactory Community Edition is self-hosted, so teams must take responsibility for the server.
• Cons: Its focus on C and C++ recipes and native binaries makes it a less direct fit for teams seeking a general-purpose registry for other package ecosystems.

Alternatives

Choose npm instead for public package publishing and use through its free plan, particularly for a Linux, macOS, or Windows workflow centered on public packages. Choose NuGet for a free package-management option with support across API, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows environments.

Inedo ProGet is an alternative for teams considering a freemium package-management service with a free edition offering unlimited feeds for private packages and Docker, alongside limited security and compliance features. R is another free software environment option. Hex offers a freemium package registry with an open-source plan for public packages.

Maven Central is a freemium option for community open-source publishing with monthly file-count, release-size, and release-count limits. PyPI offers a free community-organization plan and a paid company-organization plan at 5.00 USD. RubyGems.org is a free, MIT-licensed alternative. Browse Package Registries or Package Managers for more options.

Verdict

Choose Conan if you manage C or C++ dependencies and binaries across diverse toolchains or targets: its broad integrations, configuration support, and free open-source model make it a capable fit. Look elsewhere if you need a different package ecosystem or private-package hosting without maintaining your own server.