SDKMAN!

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Score7.3

Rank#5 of 51

Free planNo

Runs onAPI, Linux, macOS, Windows

Summary

SDKMAN! is a free command-line tool and API for managing Software Development Kits in the JVM ecosystem. From the CLI, users can install, uninstall, inspect, list, switch, upgrade and set default versions for SDKs and related tools. Supported options include Java, Scala, Kotlin, Groovy, Ant, Gradle, Maven, SBT, Spark, Spring Boot and Vert.x. Projects can record their SDK versions in an .sdkmanrc file, with automatic switching available when entering a directory. Java distributions are pulled through the Foojay DISCO API. SDKMAN! runs on macOS and Linux, and Windows users can use it through WSL or MSYS with MinGW. It does not run natively on Windows, and Cygwin is no longer supported. The installer requires curl, zip and unzip and works with Bash and ZSH. Its CI mode answers prompts, removes colored output and disables self-updates. SDKMAN! is open source under Apache 2.0. Security updates are limited to the latest released CLI version.

Who it is for

SDKMAN! suits developers working with JVM SDKs and tools who want command-line version management or project-specific SDK settings. Windows users need WSL or MSYS with MinGW rather than a native Windows setup.

What is good

Manages a broad set of JVM SDKs and tools.
Project versions can be recorded in .sdkmanrc.
Automatic switching can occur on directory entry.
CI mode suppresses prompts and colored output.
Free and open source under Apache 2.0.

What to know first

Windows requires WSL or MSYS with MinGW.
Cygwin is no longer supported.
Go, Rust, Node.js, Python and Ruby are out of scope.
Only the latest CLI release receives security updates.

Verdict

SDKMAN! is focused on JVM development, with CLI version controls and project-level configuration. Check the Windows requirements and ecosystem scope before choosing it.

Compared on development environment managers

Free plan: Yessdkman.io
Supported scope: language_and_sdksdkman.io
Project version pinning: Yessdkman.io
Lockfile support: Yessdkman.io
Automatic switching: Yessdkman.io
Shell integration: Yessdkman.io
Operating systems: cross_platformsdkman.io
CI/CD usage: Yessdkman.io

Facts

Purpose: SDKMAN! manages multiple Software Development Kits on Unix systems through a command-line interface and API.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
JVM ecosystem: It supports JVM SDKs and tools including Java, Scala, Kotlin, Groovy, Ant, Gradle, Maven, SBT, Spark, Spring Boot and Vert.x.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Version switching: Users can install, uninstall, list, use, default, upgrade and inspect SDK versions from the CLI.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Project environments: An .sdkmanrc file can define SDK versions for a project, and automatic switching can occur when entering a directory.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Installation platforms: SDKMAN! supports macOS, Linux and Windows through WSL or Git Bash with MinGW.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Windows limitation: Windows cannot run SDKMAN! natively; it requires WSL or MSYS+MinGW, and Cygwin is no longer supported.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Dependencies: The installer requires curl, zip and unzip, and SDKMAN! works with Bash and ZSH.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
CI mode: The installer offers CI mode that answers prompts, disables colored output and turns off self-updates.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Vendor publishing: JVM SDK vendors can publish releases through the SDKMAN! State API and choose the default user version.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
JDK integration: Java distributions are pulled automatically from the Foojay DISCO API.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Ecosystem limit: SDKMAN! is intended for the JVM ecosystem and is not the right home for Go, Rust, Node.js, Python or Ruby toolchains.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Open source: SDKMAN! is open source and licensed under Apache 2.0.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Security support: Only the latest released CLI version receives security updates.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Vulnerability reporting: Security issues can be reported through GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting or by emailing [email protected].github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Community support: The project identifies its Discord #vendors channel as the fastest way for vendors to get help.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Interface: It provides a command-line interface and an API.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Supported SDKs: Supported JVM SDKs include Java, Scala, Kotlin and Groovy, plus tools such as Ant, Gradle, Grails, Maven, SBT, Spark, Spring Boot and Vert.x.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Shells: The installer supports Bash and ZSH shells.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Version management: Users can install, uninstall, list, switch and set default SDK versions.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Java distributions: Java distributions are pulled automatically from the Foojay DISCO API.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Scope limitation: SDKMAN! is built for the JVM ecosystem and says Go, Rust, Node.js, Python and Ruby toolchains are not the right fit.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026