InstallAware
InstallAware 2026 is a setup builder for app and game developers working across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What InstallAware is
InstallAware 2026 is a setup builder for app and game developers working across Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports output formats including MSI, EXE, MSIX, APPX, App-V, DEB, RPM, and PKG. Listed development targets include Apple Intel, Apple Silicon, GTK2, Qt5, and Windows x86. Setups can be deployed over the web, while a minimum setup can work without an internet connection. The Developer edition builds MSIX packages and can bridge Win32, Win64, and .NET apps to the Windows Store. It also supports switching between Native Code and Windows Installer setup engines at runtime. InstallAware can create an App-V package from a setup project and includes a viewer for inspecting package contents. A free Visual Studio extension analyzes solution dependencies and creates and builds an InstallAware setup from a solution. The freeware edition requires Visual Studio and is listed as free for commercial use. Free peer support forums are available, with optional Gold support for priority technical support. A 30-day trial is also listed.
Good
- Supports MSI, EXE, MSIX, APPX, App-V, DEB, RPM, and PKG
- Can create setups that work without internet
- Free extension analyzes Visual Studio solution dependencies
- Includes an App-V package viewer
Watch out
- Freeware edition requires Visual Studio
- Download requires a 64-bit operating system for decompression
- Priority technical support is optional Gold support
Who it suits
It suits app and game developers who need to build installers for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Visual Studio users can also use the free extension to generate a setup from a solution.
Verdict
InstallAware covers multiple installer formats and operating-system targets, with a separate free Visual Studio extension. Check the freeware requirements and edition-specific capabilities against the installer work you need to do.
Plans and prices
From InstallAware's own pricing page, checked 29 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| InstallAware Free (Visual Studio freeware edition) | Free | Requires Visual Studio · free for commercial use |
The facts
Each one read from InstallAware's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- App-V
- InstallAware can build an App-V package from an InstallAware setup project and includes an App-V viewer for inspecting package contents.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Windows packaging
- The Developer edition supports building MSIX packages and bridging Win32, Win64, and .NET apps to the Windows Store.checked 29 Sep 2026
The company
- Company
- InstallAware Software says it was founded in 2003 by InstallShield alumni and focuses on software installation tools.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Founded
- 2003checked 28 Sep 2026
What it does
- Deployment
- InstallAware supports web-deployed setups and says minimum setup can work without an Internet connection.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Download requirement
- The freeware edition requires Visual Studio, and the product download page says its single-file download requires a 64-bit operating system for decompression.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Installer engines
- The Developer edition supports switching between Native Code and Windows Installer setup engines at runtime.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Installer formats
- InstallAware describes support for package formats including DEB, RPM, and PKG.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Product
- InstallAware 2026 is a multi-platform setup builder for app and game developers.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Security and signing
- The multi-platform page lists code signing and Apple notarization among its standards-compliant capabilities.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- InstallAware offers free peer support forums and optional Gold support with priority technical support.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Target systems
- The product page lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as development platforms and lists Apple Intel, Apple Silicon, GTK2, Qt5, and Windows x86 targets.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Visual Studio
- The free Visual Studio extension analyzes solution dependencies and creates and builds an InstallAware setup from a Visual Studio solution.checked 29 Sep 2026
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