CreateInstall vs InstallShield

Struggling to choose between CreateInstall and InstallShield? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

CreateInstall is a Development solution with tags like opensource, windows, installer, software-distribution.

It boasts features such as Visual interface to customize installation flow, Build installers for distributing Windows software, Open-source, Support for multiple languages, Customizable UI themes, Silent install option, Installer compression and pros including Easy to use, Free and open source, Good documentation, Active community support, Customizable and extensible, Good for basic to intermediate installers.

On the other hand, InstallShield is a Development product tagged with setup, installer, deployment, packaging.

Its standout features include Create installers for Windows, macOS, Linux, Support for MSI, EXE, AppX installers, Wizard-driven interface, Multiple languages support, Custom actions and logic, Version checking capabilities, Integration with build tools, Virtualization support, Patching capabilities, Rollback functionality, Administrative installs, and it shines with pros like Wide platform and installer format support, Intuitive visual interface, Powerful customization options, Robust patching and upgrading features, Integration with popular build tools, Good technical support.

Feature	CreateInstall	InstallShield
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

CreateInstall

Description: CreateInstall is an open-source software installer creator for Windows. It allows you to easily build professional-looking installers for distributing your Windows software, with an intuitive visual interface to customize the installation flow.

InstallShield

Description: InstallShield is a software tool used to create installers or setup packages for distributing software to end users. It simplifies the complex process of making installers for Windows and other platforms.

Key Features Comparison

CreateInstall Features

• Visual interface to customize installation flow
• Build installers for distributing Windows software
• Open-source
• Support for multiple languages
• Customizable UI themes
• Silent install option
• Installer compression

InstallShield Features

• Create installers for Windows, macOS, Linux
• Support for MSI, EXE, AppX installers
• Wizard-driven interface
• Multiple languages support
• Custom actions and logic
• Version checking capabilities
• Integration with build tools
• Virtualization support
• Patching capabilities
• Rollback functionality
• Administrative installs

Pros & Cons Analysis

CreateInstall

Pros

• Easy to use
• Free and open source
• Good documentation
• Active community support
• Customizable and extensible
• Good for basic to intermediate installers

Cons

• Limited to Windows platform
• Not ideal for very complex installers
• Less flexible compared to commercial installer tools
• Lacks some advanced installer features

InstallShield

Pros

• Wide platform and installer format support
• Intuitive visual interface
• Powerful customization options
• Robust patching and upgrading features
• Integration with popular build tools
• Good technical support

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Complex pricing model
• Limited trial version
• Can be overkill for simple installers

Pricing Comparison

CreateInstall

• Open Source

InstallShield

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based