CMake vs Ninja Build

Struggling to choose between CMake and Ninja Build? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

CMake is a Development solution with tags like build, compile, crossplatform, open-source.

It boasts features such as Cross-platform build system, Generate native makefiles and workspaces, Support multiple compilers and IDEs, Modular architecture, Customizable and extensible and pros including Simplifies build process across platforms, Compiler-independent builds, Large user and developer community, Widely used and well-supported, Highly customizable.

On the other hand, Ninja Build is a Development product tagged with compiler, build-system, cc.

Its standout features include Fast build system, Built-in dependency analysis, Parallel execution, Minimal project configuration, Cross-platform support, and it shines with pros like Very fast build times, Simple and easy to use, Good for small to medium sized projects, Active development and support.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

CMake

CMake

CMake is an open-source, cross-platform tool designed to build, test, and package software. It works by generating native makefiles and workspaces to automate the build process using a compiler-independent method.

Categories:
Development Build Tools
build compile crossplatform open-source

CMake Features

  1. Cross-platform build system
  2. Generate native makefiles and workspaces
  3. Support multiple compilers and IDEs
  4. Modular architecture
  5. Customizable and extensible

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Simplifies build process across platforms

Compiler-independent builds

Large user and developer community

Widely used and well-supported

Highly customizable

Cons

Steep learning curve

Complex syntax and concepts

Poor documentation

Limited IDE integration on some platforms

Build times can be slow for large projects

Ninja Build

Ninja Build

Ninja is a small, fast build system designed for compiling code quickly. It focuses on speed and supports parallel execution for very fast builds using multiple CPU cores.

Categories:
Development Build Tools
compiler build-system cc

Ninja Build Features

  1. Fast build system
  2. Built-in dependency analysis
  3. Parallel execution
  4. Minimal project configuration
  5. Cross-platform support

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Very fast build times

Simple and easy to use

Good for small to medium sized projects

Active development and support

Cons

Limited features compared to larger build tools

Less customizable than other build tools

Lacks GUI or IDE integration