PyInstaller vs cx_Freeze

Struggling to choose between PyInstaller and cx_Freeze? 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, cx_Freeze is a Development product tagged with python, compilation, executable, distribution.

Its standout features include Converts Python programs into stand-alone executables, Includes Python interpreter and all necessary modules, Supports console and windowed executables, Customizable using config files, Works with Python 2.7 and 3.x, and it shines with pros like Easy way to distribute Python programs without needing Python installed, No need to worry about dependencies and imports, Can obfuscate source code, Good for building GUI applications, Wide platform support including Windows, Mac and Linux.

Feature	PyInstaller	cx_Freeze
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

PyInstaller

Description: 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.

cx_Freeze

Description: cx_Freeze is a Python utility to compile Python code into standalone executable files for distribution. It works by analyzing the Python scripts, finding all imports, and putting them along with the Python interpreter into a folder structure that can be compressed into a single executable file.

Key Features Comparison

PyInstaller Features

• 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

cx_Freeze Features

• Converts Python programs into stand-alone executables
• Includes Python interpreter and all necessary modules
• Supports console and windowed executables
• Customizable using config files
• Works with Python 2.7 and 3.x

Pros & Cons Analysis

PyInstaller

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

cx_Freeze

Pros

• Easy way to distribute Python programs without needing Python installed
• No need to worry about dependencies and imports
• Can obfuscate source code
• Good for building GUI applications
• Wide platform support including Windows, Mac and Linux

Cons

• Larger executable file size compared to pure Python
• Startup can be slower than running Python directly
• Difficult to apply updates or patches
• Limited configuration options compared to tools like PyInstaller
• May not work with some complex Python packages

Pricing Comparison

PyInstaller

• Open Source
• Free

cx_Freeze

• Open Source