InstallShield vs Excelsior Installer

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

InstallShield is a Development solution with tags like setup, installer, deployment, packaging.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including 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.

On the other hand, Excelsior Installer is a Development product tagged with installer, authoring, packaging, compression, windows.

Its standout features include GUI-based installer creation, Support for MSI and EXE installers, Installer customization and branding, Multiple language support, Advanced installer logic, Installer prerequisites, Custom actions and events, Installer validation, Installer compression, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Easy to use drag and drop interface, Good documentation and community support, Create installers without programming knowledge, Flexible and customizable installers, Good for basic to intermediate installer needs.

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.

InstallShield

InstallShield

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.

Categories:
setup installer deployment packaging

InstallShield Features

  1. Create installers for Windows, macOS, Linux
  2. Support for MSI, EXE, AppX installers
  3. Wizard-driven interface
  4. Multiple languages support
  5. Custom actions and logic
  6. Version checking capabilities
  7. Integration with build tools
  8. Virtualization support
  9. Patching capabilities
  10. Rollback functionality
  11. Administrative installs

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase
  • Subscription-Based

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


Excelsior Installer

Excelsior Installer

Excelsior Installer is a free software installation authoring tool for creating Windows installers. It provides a GUI and set of tools to package, compress, and build installers with advanced functionality.

Categories:
installer authoring packaging compression windows

Excelsior Installer Features

  1. GUI-based installer creation
  2. Support for MSI and EXE installers
  3. Installer customization and branding
  4. Multiple language support
  5. Advanced installer logic
  6. Installer prerequisites
  7. Custom actions and events
  8. Installer validation
  9. Installer compression

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to use drag and drop interface

Good documentation and community support

Create installers without programming knowledge

Flexible and customizable installers

Good for basic to intermediate installer needs

Cons

Limited to Windows installers only

Less advanced features than paid tools

Limited UI customization options

No support for patches or upgrades

No integration with IDEs or build systems