EVERYTHING XIAOMI
Get listed
install4j logo

install4j

install4j builds native installers and application launchers for Java applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Place
#23 of 29
Score
5.8
install4j's website

What install4j is

install4j builds native installers and application launchers for Java applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its visual editor assembles installer screens from standard form components, while more than 80 configurable actions handle installation tasks. Gradle, Ant, and Maven integration plus a command-line compiler support automated packaging and CI/CD workflows. The tool creates native installers, MSIX, ZIP, macOS bundles, gzipped TAR archives, RPM packages, and DEB packages. It can download JDKs, create optimized JRE bundles, and include them with applications. Signing is supported for Windows and macOS media on all build platforms, with macOS notarization on supported platforms and keys supplied as files or through PKCS #11. install4j can generate SBOMs for runtime components and augment existing SBOMs. Version 13.1.1 requires Java 25 for its IDE and compiler; install4j 13 can target Java 1.8 and newer.

Good

  • Visual installer screen editor
  • More than 80 installer actions
  • Gradle, Ant, and Maven integration
  • JDK and optimized JRE bundling
  • SBOM generation support

Watch out

  • No free plan
  • Version 13.1.1 requires Java 25
  • Windows Edition builds Windows media only

Who it suits

It is for Java developers who need native installers, launchers, runtime bundling, signing, and automated packaging across desktop and Linux targets.

Verdict

install4j covers visual installer design, command-line builds, runtime packaging, signing, notarization, and multiple output formats. Choose the Multi-Platform Edition for all supported media or Windows Edition when Windows output is sufficient.

Plans and prices

From install4j's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Multi-Platform EditionPriced on requestBuild installers for all supported platforms · Perpetual license; optional 1 year of support and upgrades
Windows EditionPriced on requestCreate Windows media files only · Other edition features supported · Perpetual license; optional 1 year of support and upgrades

The facts

Each one read from install4j's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Build systems
It integrates with Gradle, Ant, and Maven, and includes a command-line compiler.checked 2 Oct 2026
Evaluation
An evaluation key is available by email after submitting the evaluation form; the page does not state the evaluation duration.checked 2 Oct 2026
Installer actions
The product offers more than 80 configurable installer actions.checked 2 Oct 2026
Installer design
Its visual editor lets users compose installer screens with standard form components.checked 2 Oct 2026
Java requirement
Version 13.1.1 requires Java 25 for the IDE and compiler, and install4j 13 can generate installers and archives for Java 1.8 and newer.checked 2 Oct 2026
Java runtime bundling
It can download JDKs from known providers, create optimized JRE bundles, and include them with installers.checked 2 Oct 2026
License restriction
A Windows Edition license can generate Windows installer and archive media only; other media definitions are retained in the project but cannot be created or built.checked 2 Oct 2026
Purpose
install4j builds native installers and application launchers for Java applications.checked 2 Oct 2026
SBOM support
It can generate SBOMs for install4j runtime components and optionally augment existing SBOMs.checked 2 Oct 2026
Signing and notarization
It supports signing Windows and macOS media files on all build platforms and macOS notarization on supported platforms; signing keys can be supplied as files or through PKCS #11.checked 2 Oct 2026
Support
Purchases include 60 days of email installation support, with an optional package providing one year of email support and upgrade assurance.checked 2 Oct 2026
Supported output
It can create Windows, macOS, and POSIX-compatible Unix/Linux installers, as well as Linux RPM and Deb packages.checked 2 Oct 2026

The company

Founded
2001checked 28 Sep 2026
Headquarters
Munich, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026

Alternatives to install4j

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