EVERYTHING XIAOMI
Get listed

Debreate

Debreate is a free, open-source Linux utility for creating installable Debian (.deb) packages.

Place
#26 of 29
Score
5.7
Debreate's website

What Debreate is

Debreate is a free, open-source Linux utility for creating installable Debian (.deb) packages. It is intended to make packaging more accessible for Debian-based distributions, including for applications, artwork, media, and themes. The program creates binary packages for personal distribution; it does not create source packages or build binary packages from source. Its wizard-like interface organizes packaging into pages, and users can save and load project files. Package metadata can be entered, loaded, exported, or previewed. Files can be added through a built-in directory tree or dragged from a system file manager. Debreate supports pre-install, post-install, pre-remove, and post-remove scripts, and its Auto-Link feature generates scripts for creating and removing executable symlinks. The build page can create an md5sums file and check packages with Lintian when those utilities are installed. It requires Python 3.10 or later and wxPython 4.0.7 or later, with 4.2.0 or later recommended. The project says it is in revival and recommends development versions that may contain bugs. Debreate and libdbr use the MIT license.

Good

  • Free and MIT licensed.
  • Wizard-like interface supports saved and loaded projects.
  • Accepts files by directory browsing or drag and drop.
  • Supports package scripts and executable symlink automation.
  • Can create md5sums and run Lintian checks.

Watch out

  • Does not create source packages.
  • Does not build binary packages from source.
  • Requires Python 3.10 or later and wxPython.
  • Development versions may contain bugs.

Who it suits

Debreate suits Debian-based Linux users who need to assemble binary .deb packages for personal distribution. It is not intended for building source packages or binaries from source.

Verdict

Debreate provides a guided way to assemble binary .deb packages, with metadata, scripts, and optional build checks. Its scope is limited to binary packaging, and the project warns that development versions may contain bugs.

Plans and prices

From Debreate's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
DebreateFreeMIT licensed · binary .deb packaging only

The facts

Each one read from Debreate's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Build checks
The build page can create an md5sums file and check a package with Lintian when its utilities are installed.checked 4 Oct 2026
Dependencies
Debreate requires Python 3.10 or later and wxPython 4.0.7 or later, with 4.2.0 or later recommended.checked 4 Oct 2026
Intended users
The project aims to make application packaging more accessible for Debian based Linux distributions, including packaging applications, artwork, media, and themes.checked 4 Oct 2026
Interface
The application uses a wizard-like interface with page navigation and options to save and load project files.checked 4 Oct 2026
License
Debreate and libdbr are licensed under the MIT license.checked 4 Oct 2026
Package contents
Files can be added through the built-in directory tree or by dragging them from a system file manager.checked 4 Oct 2026
Package metadata
The control page lets users enter required, recommended, and optional package metadata, and load, export, or preview control information.checked 4 Oct 2026
Package type
Debreate currently supports binary packaging for personal distribution and does not support source packages or building binary packages from source.checked 4 Oct 2026
Project status
The project describes itself as being in revival and recommends development versions, which are under heavy testing and may contain bugs.checked 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
Debreate is a utility for creating installable Debian (.deb) packages.checked 4 Oct 2026
Scripts
Debreate supports pre-install, post-install, pre-remove, and post-remove scripts, plus an Auto-Link feature that generates scripts to create and remove executable symlinks.checked 4 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Linux compatibility
The software is tested on Debian based systems; on other systems package building may fail unless Debian packaging backend tools are installed.checked 4 Oct 2026
Windows compatibility
The project says it has been tested enough to start on Windows, but it does not fully function there.checked 4 Oct 2026

Alternatives to Debreate

All alternatives
  1. 1

    Avidemux

    Free planOpen sourceWebLinuxmacOSWindows
    7.3Free plan
    Visit
  2. 2Tauri Bundler logo

    Tauri Bundler

    Free planAndroidiOSLinuxmacOS
    7.2Free plan
    Visit
  3. 3Advanced Installer logo

    Advanced Installer

    Free planWindows
    6.6From $399 a year
    Visit
  4. 4WiX Toolset logo

    WiX Toolset

    Free planAPIExtensionWindows
    6.6From $6,500 a year
    Visit
  5. 5

    CyberInstaller Suite

    Free planWindows
    6.5€39.90 one-time
    Visit
  6. 6

    makeself

    Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows
    6.5Free plan
    Visit