INSTALLANYWHERE RESOURCES
InstallShield Alternative
InstallShield is the leading installation development solution designed for building reliable Windows installers. It helps software developers create professional MSI, MSIX, and EXE installers, with advanced support for cloud, virtualization, and DevOps integration. InstallShield streamlines the delivery of applications across modern Windows environments.
For teams building applications beyond the Windows ecosystem, InstallAnywhere offers a powerful alternative to InstallShield. Designed for cross-platform deployment, it enables developers to create a single installer that works seamlessly across Windows, Linux, macOS, and more. With strong support for Java applications, flexible installation logic, and compatibility with virtual and cloud environments, InstallAnywhere is ideal for organizations delivering software to diverse operating systems. While InstallShield shines in Windows-specific scenarios, InstallAnywhere is the go-to choice for reaching a broader platform audience.
InstallShield vs InstallAnywhere
| Feature | Installshield | InstallAnywhere |
| Primary Focus | Windows-based applications | Cross-platform applications |
| Platform Support | Primarily Windows (MSI, MSIX, EXE) | Windows, Linux, macOS, and more |
| Java Application Support | Solid support for Java-based installations | Advanced support for Java-based installations |
| Installer Types | MSI, MSIX, EXE | Java-based installers, native installers |
| Cloud & Virtualization Support | Strong support (MSIX, containerization, etc.) | Strong support (cloud, containers, virtualized environments) |
| UI Customization | Extensive customization options | Extensive customization options |
| DevOps & Automation Support | Full integration with MSBuild, Azure DevOps, etc. | Full integration with Ant, Maven, Jenkins, etc. |
| Digital Signing Capabilities | Built-in support for code signing and timestamping (MSI/MSIX/EXE) | Supports digital signing of installers across platforms |
| Best For | Teams focused on Windows environments | Teams needing multi-platform support and Java applications |
Which Tool is Right for You?
Choosing between InstallShield and InstallAnywhere largely depends on your application's target environment and specific deployment needs.
InstallShield is the ideal choice if your focus is primarily on Windows-based applications. It offers advanced support for MSI, MSIX, and EXE installers, making it the go-to solution for teams working within the Windows ecosystem. If your application requires tight integration with Windows features, or if you're working on enterprise-level deployments, InstallShield is likely the right fit.
On the other hand, if you're building applications that need to run across multiple operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, InstallAnywhere is the better option. It excels in cross-platform deployment and has specialized support for Java-based applications, making it the go-to tool for organizations with diverse deployment environments or Java-centric software.
More than 80,000 independent software vendors and enterprise customers rely on our installation solutions to build and deploy their software. Why not see what the buzz is about? Both InstallShield and InstallAnywhere offer free trials, giving you the chance to evaluate their features and find the best fit for your project, risk-free.
Resources
Data Sheet
InstallAnywhere 2024
Erstellen Sie Multiplattforminstallationen für physische, virtuelle und cloudbasierte Umgebungen.
Data Sheet
InstallShield 2024
Nahtlose Builds in der Cloud mit InstallShield-Lizenzfunktionen
Data Sheet
Cloud License Server with InstallShield
Get your questions answered about how to eliminate the time and effort required to set up and manage local License Servers. Easily configure your builds from the DevOps build pipeline with InstallShield’s Cloud License Server.
Online Event
“Unpacking MSIX”: Panel Discussion
Watch this roundtable discussion to learn more about how developers can retain as much code as possible as they continue to innovate and modernize applications.
Webinar
TechTalk: InstallShield “Suite” Secrets
In this TechTalk you’ll learn about Suite, a project type within InstallShield, and how it resolves the problem of installing multiple packages, learn how Windows features in Suite works, and how secure it is to send packages via an installer.
eBook
A Developer’s Guide to MSIX
MSIX represents a new, modern runtime environment intended to protect both your application and end-user systems. This one-of-a-kind book will help you retain as much code as possible while modernizing your applications for containerized packages.
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