PyInstaller vs bbfreeze

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

PyInstaller is a Development solution with tags like python, executable, packaging, distribution.

It boasts features such as Bundles Python applications into stand-alone executables, Works with Python 2.7 and 3.5+, Supports multiple platforms including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, Supports GUI applications using frameworks like PyQt, Tkinter, wxPython, Kivy etc., Supports including dynamic libraries and assets like images/data files, Creates a single package so end user does not need Python installed, Open source and free to use and pros including Easy way to distribute Python applications to end users, No need for end users to install Python or dependencies, Stand-alone executables are OS-agnostic, Bundles everything application needs into one package, Active development and community support.

On the other hand, bbfreeze is a Development product tagged with converter, executable, packaging, distribution.

Its standout features include Converts Python programs into stand-alone executables, Works on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, Solaris and AIX, Allows distributing Python programs without requiring Python interpreter, Supports Python 2 and 3, Includes GUI and console based tools for building executables, Supports automatic dependency bundling, and it shines with pros like Makes distributing Python programs easy, No need for recipients to install Python, Can bundle dependencies into a single package, Works across many platforms.

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.

PyInstaller

PyInstaller

PyInstaller is an open-source tool that converts Python programs into stand-alone executables for distribution to end users. It bundles all dependencies into a single package so the end user does not need to have Python installed.

Categories:
python executable packaging distribution

PyInstaller Features

  1. Bundles Python applications into stand-alone executables
  2. Works with Python 2.7 and 3.5+
  3. Supports multiple platforms including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux
  4. Supports GUI applications using frameworks like PyQt, Tkinter, wxPython, Kivy etc.
  5. Supports including dynamic libraries and assets like images/data files
  6. Creates a single package so end user does not need Python installed
  7. Open source and free to use

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Easy way to distribute Python applications to end users

No need for end users to install Python or dependencies

Stand-alone executables are OS-agnostic

Bundles everything application needs into one package

Active development and community support

Cons

Limited support for some Python packages with C extensions

Debugging executables harder than debugging Python source

Complex applications may need some customization

Packaging can be slow for large applications

Encrypted binaries can complicate AV software detection


bbfreeze

bbfreeze

bbfreeze is a converter for Python programs into stand-alone executables, under Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, Solaris and AIX. The goal is to make Python programs independently distributable so that they can be run without requiring the Python interpreter.

Categories:
converter executable packaging distribution

Bbfreeze Features

  1. Converts Python programs into stand-alone executables
  2. Works on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, Solaris and AIX
  3. Allows distributing Python programs without requiring Python interpreter
  4. Supports Python 2 and 3
  5. Includes GUI and console based tools for building executables
  6. Supports automatic dependency bundling

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Makes distributing Python programs easy

No need for recipients to install Python

Can bundle dependencies into a single package

Works across many platforms

Cons

Limited configuration options compared to tools like PyInstaller

Not as actively maintained as some alternatives

Can produce larger executables than other tools