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fpm

fpm is a free, open-source command-line tool for building packages for existing package systems.

Place
#17 of 29
Score
6.0
fpm's website

What fpm is

fpm is a free, open-source command-line tool for building packages for existing package systems. It accepts inputs such as local directories, npm packages, CPAN modules, Python packages, Ruby gems, and existing RPM or Debian packages. Its documented outputs include Debian, RPM, FreeBSD, macOS, Arch Linux, Alpine, Solaris, Snap, tar, zip, and shell archive packages. It can convert RPM packages to Debian and modify existing packages by removing files or changing metadata and dependencies. It can also strip pre, post, and maintainer scripts. fpm is written in Ruby and installed with `gem install fpm`, so Ruby must be installed first. Some package formats need additional system tools; the documentation describes Docker as an option for running fpm without installing those tools locally. Building an osxpkg package requires macOS. The project invites users to report issues through its tracker and describes its documentation as a work in progress that is not extensive. The documentation lists version 1.18.0 as released on August 26, 2026.

Good

  • Free and open source.
  • Builds packages for many listed target systems.
  • Can convert RPM packages to Debian.
  • Can modify package metadata, dependencies, and files.
  • Docker can avoid local installation of many system tools.

Watch out

  • Ruby must be installed before fpm.
  • Some package formats require additional system tools.
  • Building osxpkg packages requires macOS.
  • Documentation is a work in progress and not extensive.

Who it suits

fpm suits developers and administrators who need to create or convert packages for existing package systems from a command line. It is available for Linux, macOS, and self-hosted use.

Verdict

fpm offers command-line package creation, conversion, and modification across a wide range of formats. Users should check format-specific tool requirements and expect documentation that the project describes as incomplete.

Plans and prices

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

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
fpmFreeCommand-line package building and conversion; some output formats require optional system tools

The facts

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

What it does

Current release
The project documentation lists version 1.18.0 as released on August 26, 2026.checked 4 Oct 2026
Docker
The documentation says Docker can avoid installing fpm’s many underlying system tools locally and describes running fpm in a container.checked 4 Oct 2026
Documentation status
The documentation describes itself as a work in progress and says it is not extensive.checked 4 Oct 2026
Installation
fpm is written in Ruby and the installation guide instructs users to install it with `gem install fpm`.checked 4 Oct 2026
License
The project’s RubyGems listing identifies the license as MIT-like.checked 4 Oct 2026
Package conversion
fpm can convert an existing RPM package to a Debian package.checked 4 Oct 2026
Package inputs
Examples and documentation cover inputs such as local directories, npm packages, CPAN modules, Python packages, Ruby gems, and existing RPM or Debian packages.checked 4 Oct 2026
Package modification
The project README says fpm can modify existing packages by removing files or changing metadata and dependencies.checked 4 Oct 2026
Package scripts
The project README says fpm can strip pre, post, and maintainer scripts from packages.checked 4 Oct 2026
Package targets
The documentation lists targets including Debian, RPM, FreeBSD, macOS, Arch Linux, Alpine, Solaris, Snap, tar, zip, and shell archive packages.checked 4 Oct 2026
Prerequisites
Ruby must be installed before installing fpm, and some package formats require additional system tools.checked 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
fpm is a command-line tool for creating packages for existing package systems with less effort.checked 4 Oct 2026
Support
The documentation invites users to report problems through the project issue tracker.checked 4 Oct 2026

Where it runs

macOS limitation
The installation guide says building an osxpkg package requires running macOS.checked 4 Oct 2026

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