Squirrel.Windows vs InstallShield

Struggling to choose between Squirrel.Windows and InstallShield? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Squirrel.Windows is a Development solution with tags like opensource, autoupdate, windows, desktop, github, azure-devops.

It boasts features such as Allows developers to publish desktop apps with auto-updates, Integrates with GitHub and Azure DevOps for continuous deployment, Open-source framework for installing and updating Windows desktop apps, Supports delta updates to reduce bandwidth usage, Can be used with .NET and non-.NET apps and pros including Easy to implement auto-updates, Seamless CI/CD integration, Open-source and free, Good documentation and community support, Lightweight and fast compared to alternatives.

On the other hand, InstallShield is a Development product tagged with setup, installer, deployment, packaging.

Its standout features include Create installers for Windows, macOS, Linux, Support for MSI, EXE, AppX installers, Wizard-driven interface, Multiple languages support, Custom actions and logic, Version checking capabilities, Integration with build tools, Virtualization support, Patching capabilities, Rollback functionality, Administrative installs, and it shines with pros like Wide platform and installer format support, Intuitive visual interface, Powerful customization options, Robust patching and upgrading features, Integration with popular build tools, Good technical support.

Feature	Squirrel.Windows	InstallShield
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

Squirrel.Windows

Description: Squirrel.Windows is an open-source installation and update framework for Windows desktop apps, allowing developers to publish their apps with auto updates out of the box. It integrates seamlessly with GitHub and Azure DevOps for continuous deployment.

InstallShield

Description: InstallShield is a software tool used to create installers or setup packages for distributing software to end users. It simplifies the complex process of making installers for Windows and other platforms.

Key Features Comparison

Squirrel.Windows Features

• Allows developers to publish desktop apps with auto-updates
• Integrates with GitHub and Azure DevOps for continuous deployment
• Open-source framework for installing and updating Windows desktop apps
• Supports delta updates to reduce bandwidth usage
• Can be used with .NET and non-.NET apps

InstallShield Features

• Create installers for Windows, macOS, Linux
• Support for MSI, EXE, AppX installers
• Wizard-driven interface
• Multiple languages support
• Custom actions and logic
• Version checking capabilities
• Integration with build tools
• Virtualization support
• Patching capabilities
• Rollback functionality
• Administrative installs

Pros & Cons Analysis

Squirrel.Windows

Pros

• Easy to implement auto-updates
• Seamless CI/CD integration
• Open-source and free
• Good documentation and community support
• Lightweight and fast compared to alternatives

Cons

• Limited to Windows desktop apps
• Less flexible than building own update system
• Requires hosting your own update server or using 3rd party service
• Not as full-featured as commercial solutions

InstallShield

Pros

• Wide platform and installer format support
• Intuitive visual interface
• Powerful customization options
• Robust patching and upgrading features
• Integration with popular build tools
• Good technical support

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Complex pricing model
• Limited trial version
• Can be overkill for simple installers

Pricing Comparison

Squirrel.Windows

• Open Source

InstallShield

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based