PyInstaller vs Shed Skin

Struggling to choose between PyInstaller and Shed Skin? 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, Shed Skin is a Development product tagged with compiler, python, c, optimization, static-analysis.

Its standout features include Compiles Python code to C++, Performs advanced static analysis and type inference, Generates optimized C++ code, Makes it easy to create Python extensions in C++, Can significantly improve execution time of CPU-bound Python programs, and it shines with pros like Faster execution than pure Python, Easier than hand-writing C++ extensions, Seamless integration with existing Python code.

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


Shed Skin

Shed Skin

Shed Skin is an experimental compiler, Python to C++, that makes creating Python extensions easy. It uses advanced static analysis and type inference techniques to generate optimized C++ code. Shed Skin can significantly improve the execution time of CPU-bound Python programs.

Categories:
compiler python c optimization static-analysis

Shed Skin Features

  1. Compiles Python code to C++
  2. Performs advanced static analysis and type inference
  3. Generates optimized C++ code
  4. Makes it easy to create Python extensions in C++
  5. Can significantly improve execution time of CPU-bound Python programs

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Faster execution than pure Python

Easier than hand-writing C++ extensions

Seamless integration with existing Python code

Cons

Limited Python language support

May require some code changes for compilation

Extra build steps required

Additional dependencies introduced