Debreate vs InstallShield

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

Debreate is a Development solution with tags like deb, debian, packaging, automation, linux.

It boasts features such as Graphical user interface for creating Debian packages, Automation tools to simplify building .deb packages, Customizable build settings and control files, Built-in lintian integration to check for packaging policy compliance, Supports multiple architectures like i386, amd64, armhf etc., Allows adding custom scripts, icons and desktop files, Can build binary packages from existing source code, Generates Debian changelog based on Git repository and pros including Easy to use GUI compared to manually editing debian/ files, Automates most of the repetitive packaging tasks, Integrates well with GNOME/GTK based projects, Free and open source software.

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	Debreate	InstallShield
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

Debreate

Description: Debreate is a free and open source GNOME/GTK based Linux software designed to help developers easily create Debian packages. It provides a graphical user interface and automation tools to simplify building deb packages.

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

Debreate Features

• Graphical user interface for creating Debian packages
• Automation tools to simplify building .deb packages
• Customizable build settings and control files
• Built-in lintian integration to check for packaging policy compliance
• Supports multiple architectures like i386, amd64, armhf etc.
• Allows adding custom scripts, icons and desktop files
• Can build binary packages from existing source code
• Generates Debian changelog based on Git repository

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

Debreate

Pros

• Easy to use GUI compared to manually editing debian/ files
• Automates most of the repetitive packaging tasks
• Integrates well with GNOME/GTK based projects
• Free and open source software

Cons

• Limited to building Debian packages only
• Not many advanced customization options
• Requires learning Debian packaging system
• Not updated frequently

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

Debreate

• Open Source

InstallShield

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based