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.
python
executable
packaging
distribution
PyInstaller: Converts Python Programs to Standalone Executables
An open-source tool bundling Python dependencies into a single package, allowing users to distribute executables without requiring Python installation.
What is PyInstaller?
PyInstaller is an open-source tool that converts Python programs into stand-alone executables for distribution to end users. It works by analyzing the Python scripts along with all of its imports and dependencies, then packing them into a single package that can be run on systems without having Python installed.
Some key features and benefits of PyInstaller include:
- Bundles all dependencies like libraries, images, data files etc into a single executable file so end user does not have to install anything other than the executable
- Works with Python scripts, modules, packages and various types of programs
- Supports multiple platforms like Windows, Linux, MacOS, Solaris etc
- Open-source software released under GPL license
- Customizable through spec files to have fine grained control over the build process
- Has command line interface as well as GUI interface via PyInstaller IDE
- Actively developed and maintained on GitHub
Overall, PyInstaller is an invaluable tool for Python developers looking to package up their programs for easy distribution to end users. The bundled single-file executables can run on systems without needing to have Python or any other dependencies installed.
PyInstaller Features
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
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
Official Links
The Best PyInstaller Alternatives
Top Development and Build Tools and other similar apps like PyInstaller
Bbfreeze
bbfreeze is an open-source tool for converting Python programs into stand-alone executables. It works by analyzing the Python scripts along with their dependencies and packaging them into a single executable file. Some key features and benefits of bbfreeze:Makes Python applications highly portable - no need to install Python or deal...
Shed Skin
Shed Skin is an experimental just-in-time compiler that can translate pure, but implicitly statically typed Python programs into optimized C++ code. It performs advanced type inference and program analysis to determine the types of all values at compile time, and uses this to generate faster code.Some key features of Shed...
Py2exe
py2exe is a Python module that facilitates the creation of standalone Windows executable programs from Python scripts. It works by analyzing the scripts as well as all imported modules and packages, then compiling them into binary packages that can be bundled together with the Python interpreter and runtime libraries.Some key...
Cx_Freeze
cx_Freeze is a utility for freezing Python scripts into executables that can be distributed to end users who do not have Python installed. It analyzes Python code to determine all the modules and packages imported, then bundles them along with the Python interpreter into a folder structure. This folder can...
Nuitka
Nuitka is an open source Python compiler that can translate Python code into equivalent C or C++ code. It allows developers to create standalone executable binaries from Python scripts, removing the need to have Python installed in order to run them.Some of the key features and benefits of Nuitka include:Improved...
