perlbrew
perlbrew is a free, open-source tool for managing multiple Perl installations without administrator privileges.
What perlbrew is
perlbrew is a free, open-source tool for managing multiple Perl installations without administrator privileges. It keeps each installation in a separate environment in your home directory or another location you specify. Use `switch` to make an installation the default, or `use` to select one for the current shell; `exec` can run a program against perlbrew installations for testing. Perlbrew-managed CPAN modules can be installed without `sudo`.
The tool supports Linux and macOS, plus self-hosted use. Its quick-install instructions use curl and bash, with alternatives via wget on Linux, fetch on FreeBSD, or CPAN. Set `PERLBREW_ROOT` to change the default root from `~/perl5/perlbrew`, or `PERLBREW_CPAN_MIRROR` to choose an HTTP or HTTPS mirror. The site lists version 1.02, released July 18, 2025; it added `rm` and `delete` as uninstall command names and made patchperl optional. Windows users are directed to Berrybrew. The project points users to GitHub issues and discussions for support, and its repository identifies the MIT License with no warranty.
Good
- Keeps Perl installations in separate environments.
- Switches the default or current-shell installation.
- Runs programs against installations for testing.
- Installs managed CPAN modules without sudo.
- Free and open source under the MIT License.
Watch out
- Windows users are directed to Berrybrew.
- The project provides no warranty.
Who it suits
perlbrew suits Perl developers who need separate installations and want to switch versions without administrator privileges. It can also help users who need to run programs against multiple installations for testing.
Verdict
perlbrew provides version management and testing commands while keeping installations separate from system-level Perl. It is a practical fit for Linux and macOS users who want user-level control over Perl environments.
Plans and prices
From perlbrew's own pricing page, checked 10 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| perlbrew | Free | Open source · no paid tiers stated |
The facts
Each one read from perlbrew's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Alternate installation
- The installation page also documents wget for Linux, fetch for FreeBSD, and installation through CPAN.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- The `PERLBREW_ROOT` environment variable can change the default root directory from `~/perl5/perlbrew`.checked 10 Oct 2026
- CPAN mirror
- Users can configure a CPAN mirror with `PERLBREW_CPAN_MIRROR`; the documentation supports HTTP and HTTPS URLs.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The documented quick install runs the perlbrew installer with curl and bash.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Install without sudo
- The site says perlbrew-managed CPAN modules can be installed without running sudo.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Isolation
- Perl installations are separate environments in the user’s home directory or another specified location.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Latest listed release
- The site lists version 1.02, released July 18, 2025.checked 10 Oct 2026
- License and warranty
- The project repository identifies the MIT License and states that the software is provided without warranty.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- perlbrew is an admin-free tool for managing multiple Perl installations.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Release changes
- Version 1.02 added `rm` and `delete` as shorter uninstall command names and made patchperl optional.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project points users to GitHub issues and discussions for questions and project matters.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Switch versions
- The commands `switch` and `use` select a Perl installation as the default or for the current shell.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Test versions
- The `exec` command can run a program against perlbrew installations, which the site describes as useful for testing.checked 10 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2010checked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Windows
- The installation page directs Windows users to Berrybrew.checked 10 Oct 2026
