plenv
plenv is a free Perl version manager that lets users select the interpreter an application uses, helping align development with production.
What plenv is
plenv is a free Perl version manager that lets users select the interpreter an application uses, helping align development with production. It installs Perl versions under the user’s home directory and switches versions in the shell. A `.perl-version` file can set a directory-specific version that takes precedence over the global choice. Shell script wrappers called shims route Perl executable commands to the selected version. The project documents setup for Bash and Zsh, with optional shell integration and autocompletion. Users can install it from GitHub, an archive, or Homebrew on Mac OS X. The `perl-build` plugin supplies the `plenv install` command; `plenv-contrib` adds `use` and `lib` commands as a local::lib integration replacement. The README recommends Carton for Perl upgrades and deployments. Its `migrate-modules` command installs the newest module versions from one Perl environment into another, with a caution that versions may differ. plenv supports Linux and macOS. Listed dependencies include Perl 5.8.1+ and Bash, with curl needed for `plenv install-cpanm`. It is incompatible with perlbrew, which the README says to uninstall before installation. The project is free software redistributable under the same terms as Perl itself.
Good
- Project-local versions can override the global selection.
- Documents Bash and Zsh setup.
- Optional shell integration and autocompletion are available.
- Free software under the same terms as Perl.
Watch out
- Incompatible with perlbrew.
- Requires Perl 5.8.1+ and Bash.
- Module migration may produce different versions.
- Supports Linux and macOS only.
Who it suits
plenv suits Perl developers who need different Perl versions for projects or want development to match production. It is intended for users comfortable with shell setup on Linux or macOS.
Verdict
plenv provides shell-based Perl version selection, with project-level version pinning and plugin options. Users of perlbrew need to remove it and its shell initialization references before installing plenv.
Plans and prices
From plenv's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| plenv | Free | Perl binary manager · free software under the same terms as Perl 5 |
The facts
Each one read from plenv's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Compatibility limit
- plenv is incompatible with perlbrew, and the README says to uninstall perlbrew and remove its shell initialization references before installing plenv.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The README lists Perl 5.8.1+ and Bash as dependencies, with curl needed for `plenv install-cpanm`.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README documents installation from GitHub, from an archive, and through Homebrew on Mac OS X.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README recommends using plenv with Carton for Perl upgrades and deployments.checked 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The project says plenv is free software redistributable under the same terms as Perl itself.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Module migration
- The `migrate-modules` command installs the newest versions of modules from one Perl environment into another, and the README cautions that versions may differ.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- perl-build provides the `plenv install` command, and plenv-contrib adds `use` and `lib` commands as a local::lib integration replacement.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Project versions
- A `.perl-version` file sets a local Perl version for a directory, overriding the global version.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- plenv lets users select a Perl version for an application so the development environment matches production.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Shell support
- The README documents setup for Bash and Zsh, including optional shell integration and autocompletion.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Shims
- plenv uses shell script wrappers called shims for Perl executables.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README directs users to GitHub issues for bug reports.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Version management
- It installs Perl versions under the user's home directory and lets them switch versions in a shell.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2013checked 28 Sep 2026
