InstallForge vs Squirrel.Windows

Struggling to choose between InstallForge and Squirrel.Windows? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

InstallForge is a Development solution with tags like installer, setup, deployment, authoring, windows.

It boasts features such as Visual installation authoring, Multiple installer types (EXE, MSI, App-V, etc.), Customizable UI, Scripting support, Built-in tools and actions, Multi-language support, Versioning control, Patch building, Digital signing support, Integration with build tools and pros including Intuitive drag and drop interface, Wide range of installer customization options, Good for complex installations, Active user community and documentation, Supports latest Windows versions.

On the other hand, Squirrel.Windows is a Development product tagged with opensource, autoupdate, windows, desktop, github, azure-devops.

Its standout features include Allows developers to publish desktop apps with auto-updates, Integrates with GitHub and Azure DevOps for continuous deployment, Open-source framework for installing and updating Windows desktop apps, Supports delta updates to reduce bandwidth usage, Can be used with .NET and non-.NET apps, and it shines with pros like Easy to implement auto-updates, Seamless CI/CD integration, Open-source and free, Good documentation and community support, Lightweight and fast compared to alternatives.

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.

InstallForge

InstallForge

InstallForge is a software installation authoring tool that allows you to quickly and easily create installers, setup packages, and executables for deploying software on Windows systems. It provides an intuitive visual interface for defining installation steps including file extraction, shortcuts, registry edits, custom actions, etc.

Categories:
Development Installer Tools
installer setup deployment authoring windows

InstallForge Features

  1. Visual installation authoring
  2. Multiple installer types (EXE, MSI, App-V, etc.)
  3. Customizable UI
  4. Scripting support
  5. Built-in tools and actions
  6. Multi-language support
  7. Versioning control
  8. Patch building
  9. Digital signing support
  10. Integration with build tools

Pricing

  • Free trial
  • One-time license purchase
  • Volume/multi-user discounts available

Pros

Intuitive drag and drop interface

Wide range of installer customization options

Good for complex installations

Active user community and documentation

Supports latest Windows versions

Cons

Steep learning curve

Can be overkill for simple installations

Limited trial version

Expensive full license

Squirrel.Windows

Squirrel.Windows

Squirrel.Windows is an open-source installation and update framework for Windows desktop apps, allowing developers to publish their apps with auto updates out of the box. It integrates seamlessly with GitHub and Azure DevOps for continuous deployment.

Categories:
Development Installer Frameworks
opensource autoupdate windows desktop github azure-devops

Squirrel.Windows Features

  1. Allows developers to publish desktop apps with auto-updates
  2. Integrates with GitHub and Azure DevOps for continuous deployment
  3. Open-source framework for installing and updating Windows desktop apps
  4. Supports delta updates to reduce bandwidth usage
  5. Can be used with .NET and non-.NET apps

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Easy to implement auto-updates

Seamless CI/CD integration

Open-source and free

Good documentation and community support

Lightweight and fast compared to alternatives

Cons

Limited to Windows desktop apps

Less flexible than building own update system

Requires hosting your own update server or using 3rd party service

Not as full-featured as commercial solutions