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.

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:
Development Build Tools
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

cx_Freeze

cx_Freeze

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.

Categories:
Development Python Utilities
python compilation executable distribution

Cx_Freeze Features

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

Pricing

  • Open Source

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