pkg_add
6.4#59 in package managersFree planFree plan
Visitpkg_add vs vcpkg
What both publish
| Fact | pkg_add | vcpkg |
|---|---|---|
| Dependency resolution | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Offline installation | Yes | Yes |
| Package formats | TGZ,gzip-compressed ustar archives with packing lists | C/C++ libraries |
| Purpose | pkg_add installs or updates software packages created from the OpenBSD ports tree. | vcpkg is a C/C++ package manager for acquiring and managing libraries. |
| Security | By default, it rejects unsigned packages unless they come from a trusted source or unsigned packages are explicitly allowed. | The project says most ports build libraries using their original build systems and download source code and tools from their official distribution locations. |
| Support | The OpenBSD site links to commercial support resources. | The project lists documentation, a development-team support contact, and community channels including Discord and Slack. |
| Supported platforms | OpenBSD alpha,amd64,arm64,armv7,hppa,i386,landisk,luna88k,macppc,octeon,powerpc64,riscv64,sparc64 | Windows,macOS,Linux,Android,iOS |
pkg_add plans
- FreeFree
vcpkg plans
- FreeFree
Pick pkg_add if…
You want what its maker publishes above — check its page for the details.
Pick vcpkg if…
vcpkg suits developers managing C or C++ dependencies across supported platforms, especially projects that need version constraints, caching, or custom registries. It also fits teams using CMake or MSBuild.