18.3
npm installs JavaScript packages and supports dependency resolution and lockfiles.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
Best Package Managers in 2026
npm leads this chart of 93 (8.3/10, free plan). vcpkg is next (7.7/10, free plan), and uv is the next highest-placed with a free plan (7.6/10). Package managers install and track software dependencies, and the choice depends on package formats and the platforms you need. Compare dependency resolution, lockfiles, workspaces, private registry authentication and offline installation. If you plan to use a manager on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone, check its Android support first; the listed platforms cover Linux, macOS, Windows, self-hosted use, APIs and the web.
27.7
vcpkg is a free, open-source package manager for acquiring and managing C/C++ libraries.
Free planAndroidiOSLinux
37.6
uv is a free Python package and project manager written in Rust for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
- 4
pip
pip installs Python packages distributed as wheels or source distributions.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.6Free plan - 5
Pixi
Pixi is a free package management tool for developers who need reproducible project environments.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.6From €42 a month - 6
Cargo
Cargo is the free Rust package manager and build tool, used through a command-line interface.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.5Free plan - 7
Hex
Package registry with web, API and self-hosted access, founded in 2014.
Free planWebAPISelf-hosted7.5From $90 a year - 8
Yarn
Yarn is a package manager and project manager for JavaScript projects, from small projects to large monorepos.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.4Free plan - 9
7.4 - 10
Composer
Composer manages dependencies for PHP projects, installing and updating the libraries a project declares.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.4Free plan - 11
Swift Package Manager
Swift Package Manager is a free tool for sharing Swift code as packages, working with dependencies, and building, testing, documenting, and running code.
Free planiOSLinuxmacOSWindows7.4Free plan - 12
Homebrew
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.4Free plan - 13
Mamba
Mamba is a free, open-source package manager for creating and managing conda environments across Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted setups.
Free planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.4Free plan - 14
Gradle
Gradle Build Tool is a free, open-source system for automating software builds across projects of different types and sizes.
Free planAPILinuxmacOSWindows7.3Free plan - 15
Chocolatey
LinuxmacOSWindows7.3From $18 a year - 16
Nix
Nix manages packages using expressions, derivations, and flakes.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.3Free plan - 17
Cabal
Haskell build and package manager with dependency resolution and lockfiles for Linux, macOS and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.3Free plan - 18
pnpm
pnpm is a package manager and drop-in replacement for npm, available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and Android.
AndroidLinuxmacOSWindows7.2 - 19
Apache Maven
Apache Maven handles Java artifacts including JARs, plugins, WARs, and project descriptors.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.2Free plan - 20
Go Modules
Go Modules manages Go dependencies and workspaces, with dependency and lockfile support.
AndroidiOSLinuxmacOS7.2 - 21
Carthage
Apple dependency manager for frameworks and XCFrameworks targeting iOS, macOS and related platforms.
Free planiOSmacOS7.2Free plan - 22
LuaRocks
LuaRocks is a free package manager for Lua, and LuaRocks.org hosts rocks and rockspecs for Lua modules.
Free planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.2Free plan - 23
Bun
Bun handles npm packages, Git sources, tarballs, and file dependencies with lockfiles and workspaces.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.1Free plan - 24
renv
renv handles R and Python packages for Windows, macOS, or Linux with dependency resolution.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.1Free plan - 25
Spack
Scientific package manager for configurable builds across supercomputers, Linux, macOS and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.1Free plan
Choosing well
Which platforms does it need to run on?
Choose a manager that supports the environment where you develop or deploy. The listed platform options include Linux, macOS, Windows, self-hosted use, APIs and the web.
Does it offer a free plan or trial?
Check the free plan and any trial before comparing paid features. Pricing notes can distinguish a free plan from a paid service; npm lists a paid plan from $7 per month.
A free plan is listed for tools such as npm, uv, Yarn, pip, pnpm and Composer.
How does it handle packages and dependencies?
Compare the package formats a manager accepts and how it resolves dependencies. These details affect whether it fits your language and project setup.
Lockfile support can record selected dependency versions, which helps keep installs consistent across machines.
Does it support workspaces and private registries?
Workspace support matters when related projects share dependencies or configuration. Private registry authentication matters when packages are stored behind access controls.
Check both features directly in the comparison before choosing a manager for a team or internal codebase.
Can it install packages without an internet connection?
Check offline installation support if your development environment has limited or intermittent access. This feature can determine whether dependencies are available when the registry cannot be reached.
Questions people ask
Which platforms are covered by these package managers?
The platform comparison covers Linux, macOS, Windows, self-hosted use, APIs and the web.
What package manager features should I compare?
Compare free plans, paid pricing, package formats, dependency resolution, lockfiles, workspaces, private registry authentication and offline installation.
Are package managers free to use?
Free plans are listed for tools including npm, uv, Yarn, pip, pnpm and Composer. Pricing differs by tool; npm lists paid plans from $7 per month.
Why does lockfile support matter?
A lockfile records selected dependency versions, helping keep installations consistent across machines.