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deploymentinstallationrelease-management

Free install wizard software

Is there something like InstallShield that I can use for free?

Solution

  • WiX

    • Very powerful and flexible.
    • Can produce MSI packages (Microsoft deployment format of choice)
    • Almost no documentation
    • Very steep learning curve.
    • XML-based.
    • Recommended for very complex installators.

    Inno Setup

    • Cannot produce MSI packages.
    • Its scripting part looks like INI files structure.
    • Uses Pascal Script based language for extra flexibility.

    NSIS

    • Cannot produce MSI packages.
    • Fully scripted, very powerful but at cost of high learning curve.
    • Recommened if WiX is too much and Inno Setup not enough.

    AdvancedInstaller

    • Basic version is free.
    • Can produce MSI packages.
    • Very good user-interface, almost no learning curve to get things done.
    • XML-based (but schema is not very user-friendly, doesn't really matter as you would use GUI editor anyway)
    • The best option if you have only basic installer requirements and don't have time to learn something new.

    IzPack

    • Cross-platform
    • Maven integration
    • Customizable actions
    • Well documented
    • Opensource