Sparkle
Sparkle is an open-source software update framework for macOS applications. It allows developers to easily provide automatic updates to their users by packaging and delivering app updates from a server.
macos
autoupdate
opensource
Sparkle: Open-Source Software Update Framework for macOS
An open-source software update framework for macOS applications, allowing developers to easily provide automatic updates to their users by packaging and delivering app updates from a server.
What is Sparkle?
Sparkle is an open-source software update framework that enables developers to easily provide automatic updates for macOS applications. It was originally developed by Andy Matuschak and Saul Mora and released in 2007.
Sparkle works by periodically checking a server for new updates to the application. When an update is found, Sparkle will automatically download, verify, and install the update in the background. This provides an easy and seamless update experience for the end user.
Some key features of Sparkle include:
- Automatic background downloading and installation of updates
- Verification of update integrity via digital signatures
- Support for release notes and notifications to inform users of changes
- Advanced caching of updates for faster performance
- Integration into the user's menu bar for easy access to updates
- Localization into over 40 languages
Sparkle is implemented in Objective-C and Swift and runs natively on macOS. It supports apps built with most major development frameworks like Cocoa, Carbon, and Qt. Due to its permissive MIT open-source license, Sparkle has been adopted by many leading Mac developers and is an essential part of distributing macOS software.
Sparkle Features
Features
- Automatic update checking
- Easy integration into macOS apps
- Code signing and update package verification
- Update installation in the background
- Release channels for staging updates
- Crash reporting
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Open source and free
Widely used and supported
Improves user experience by automating updates
Better security with code signing
Flexibility with release channels
Crash reporting helps fix bugs
Cons
Extra development work to integrate
Requires hosting update packages on a server
May annoy users with unwanted updates
Could be abused for malicious updates if not secured properly
Crash reporting raises privacy concerns
Official Links
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