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.

Feature	PyInstaller	Shed Skin
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.

Shed Skin

Description: 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.

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

Shed Skin Features

• 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

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

Shed Skin

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

Pricing Comparison

PyInstaller

• Open Source
• Free

Shed Skin

• Open Source