Tags: code
Winget vs. Homebrew
winget (Windows Package Manager) is similar to Homebrew, but for Windows.
winget search <package> # Find packages
winget install <package> # Install packages
winget upgrade --all # Update everything
winget list # See installed packages
winget uninstall <package> # Remove a packageSimilarities
- Both allow installing applications with a simple command
(
winget install <package>vs.brew install <package>). - Both handle dependencies automatically.
- Both have repositories (Homebrew uses Formulae & Casks, while winget uses Microsoft’s package repository).
- Both allow updating and uninstalling software efficiently.
Differences
| Feature | winget (Windows) | Homebrew (macOS/Linux) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Windows 10/11 | macOS, Linux |
| Default Repository | Microsoft package repository | Homebrew Formulae & Casks |
| GUI App Support | Yes (e.g., winget install firefox) |
Yes (brew install --cask firefox) |
| Installation | Comes preinstalled in Windows 11, available for Windows 10 | Must be installed manually |
| Software Sources | Official Microsoft sources, community packages | Brew repository, community taps |
Winget vs. Scoop
Scoop is an alternative package manager for Windows that focuses on developer tools and CLI utilities. It’s like Homebrew but designed for Windows users who want a Unix-like package management experience.
Differences
| Feature | winget | Scoop |
|---|---|---|
| Official support | Microsoft-backed | Community-driven |
| GUI app support | Yes (e.g., winget install vlc) |
Mostly CLI apps, but GUI apps via extras bucket |
| Default install location | System-wide (C:\Program Files) |
User folder (C:\Users\YourName\scoop) |
| Package update speed | Sometimes delayed | Often faster updates |
| Dependency handling | Limited | Handles dependencies well |
| Best for | General users, GUI apps | Devs, CLI tools, portable apps |
Also 2024-12-10: Brew