InstallShield vs Squirrel.Windows

Struggling to choose between InstallShield and Squirrel.Windows? 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, 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.

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


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:
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