Homebrew AlternativesPackage Managers & Software Installers like Homebrew

Homebrew is described as 'The easiest and most flexible way to install the UNIX tools Apple didn’t include with macOS. Also available for Linux' and is a very popular Package Manager in the os & utilities category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Homebrew for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, Web-based and Flatpak apps. The best Homebrew alternative is Chocolatey, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Homebrew are Ninite, Scoop, MacUpdater and Flathub.

filter to find the best alternatives

Homebrew alternatives are mainly Package Managers, but if you're looking for Software Installers or Software Updaters you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Mac and Windows. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Homebrew.
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Alternatives
Get a badge for your siteHomebrew alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Chocolatey icon
     362 likes

    Command-line application for installing, updating, and removing Windows software without registration, featuring centralized audits, automatic package creation, offline packages, disk space optimization, real-time deployment, inventory tracking, and multi-installer support.

    81 Chocolatey alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
    |
    1
  2. Ninite icon
     687 likes

    Ninite is the easiest way to install software. Pick the apps you want, and the Ninite installer will download and install all of your selected apps at once, automatically. It is 100% hands-free; Ninite automatically rejects browser toolbars and other prepackaged junk.

    85 Ninite alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
    |
    1
  3. MacUpdater icon
     270 likes

    Automates scanning for outdated third-party Mac software, delivers one-click updates, runs silent daily checks, sends update alerts, and keeps an update history. Free trial scans, while bulk updating beyond ten apps requires a paid license and detailed control.

    23 MacUpdater alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Good alternative?
     
  4. Flathub icon
     68 likes

    Flathub is the place to get and distribute apps for all of desktop Linux. It is powered by Flatpak, allowing Flathub apps to run on almost any Linux distribution.

    26 Flathub alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    Good alternative?
     
  5. Patch My PC icon
     131 likes

    Patch My PC Home Updater is a free, user-friendly software designed to keep over 300 applications on your computer up-to-date. It automates the process of updating and installing apps, ensuring your system is secure and running smoothly without the hassle of manual updates1.

    73 Patch My PC alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
  6. Flatpak icon
     77 likes

    Distributing applications on Linux is a pain: different distributions in multiple versions, each with their own versions of libraries and packaging formats. Flatpak is here to change all that. It allows the same app to be installed on different Linux distributions, including...

    33 Flatpak alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  7. WinGet icon
     61 likes

    Open-source CLI enables installing, upgrading, removing, and configuring Windows software from a curated repository, supports YAML configuration files, automates device setup with PowerShell DSC, and serves developers, enterprises, and software vendors.

    19 WinGet alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
  8. Synaptic icon
     182 likes

    Synaptic is a graphical package management program for apt. It provides the same features as the apt-get command line utility with a GUI front-end based on Gtk+.

    59 Synaptic alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Debian
    • Xfce
    • GB flagUnited Kingdom
    Synaptic screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Bazaar is a new app store for GNOME with a focus on discovering and installing applications and add-ons from Flatpak remotes, particularly Flathub. It emphasizes supporting the developers who make the Linux desktop possible.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • GNOME
    • Flatpak
    Good alternative?
     
  10. GNOME Software icon
     51 likes

    Software lets you install and update applications and system extensions.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Linux Mobile
    • GNOME
    Good alternative?
     
  11. The pacman package manager is one of the major distinguishing features of Arch Linux . It combines a simple binary package format with an easy-to-use build system. The goal of pacman is to make it possible to easily manage packages, whether...

    49 pacman (package manager) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Good alternative?
     
    |
    1
12 of 68 Homebrew alternatives