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FASTBuild

fastbuild.org

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Spec score 8.6 #6 of 42 in Build Automation Software

What it is

FASTBuild is an open-source build system for compiling software across Linux, macOS and Windows. It runs compilation work across worker threads, can reuse results from local or network caches, and can distribute builds among networked machines when their settings and worker setup are compatible. The maker says caching can accelerate compile times up to 10x. Some compiler settings do not support caching or distribution; FASTBuild handles affected objects without caching or builds them locally. Supported toolchains include MSVC, GCC, SNC, Clang, GreenHills, CodeWarrior and NVCC, plus syntactically compatible command-line compilers. It can combine C++ files into Unity or Blob builds, while allowing writable files to be built individually for quicker iteration. FASTBuild can generate Visual Studio and XCode project files. The maker describes it as a self-contained executable that needs no installation or dependencies beyond compiler tools. It is free, with commercial use and redistribution allowed under license conditions; the license provides the software without warranty. The listed current release is v1.20, released 26-Apr-2026.

Spec sheet

Purpose
FASTBuild is an open-source build system for scalable compilation, caching, and network distribution.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Product
FASTBuild is an open-source build system for Windows, Linux and OS X that supports scalable compilation, caching and network distribution.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Intended users
The maker says FASTBuild is used by large studios and independent developers for PC, Mac, Linux, console, smartphone, and retro-system development.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Platforms
The current download page lists Windows x64, OS X x64 and ARM, and Linux x64 builds for v1.20.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Integrations
The download page lists third-party Unreal Engine 4 integrations and Visual Studio and VSCode-related tooling.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Support
The site directs bug reports, feature requests and questions to GitHub issues and provides online or downloadable documentation.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
License
The license permits use for any purpose, including commercial applications, and permits alteration and redistribution subject to stated conditions.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Build cache
Its built-in cache shares compilation results through a local or network cache, and the site says caching can accelerate compile times up to 10x.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Build targets
The feature page lists target platforms including Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android and major game consoles.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Cache limitation
Some compiler settings are incompatible with caching; affected objects are built without caching.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Caching
Compilation results can be shared between builds using a local or network cache.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Current release
The maker identifies v1.20, released 26-Apr-2026, as the current version.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Distributed compilation
FASTBuild can distribute compilation across networked machines, subject to compatible settings, compiler synchronization, worker discovery and worker startup requirements.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Distribution limitation
Some compiler settings are incompatible with distribution; affected objects are built locally.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Editor support
The features page says FASTBuild output is Visual Studio compatible and it can generate Visual Studio and XCode projects.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Extensions
The downloads page lists third-party Unreal Engine integrations, build visualizers, and editor support for tools including Emacs, Sublime, Vim and VSCode.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
IDE integration
FASTBuild can generate Visual Studio and XCode project files to use those IDEs with FASTBuild compilation.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Lightweight
The features page describes FASTBuild as a self-contained executable with no external dependencies and no installation requirement.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Notable distribution limits
Some compiler settings cannot be distributed; the documentation says FASTBuild builds affected objects locally when it detects incompatible settings.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Parallel builds
FASTBuild runs compilation tasks across worker threads to use CPU cores efficiently.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Performance
The maker says FASTBuild can improve build times by 10x or more over other build systems.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Requirements
The site describes FASTBuild as a small, self-contained executable that requires no installation or external dependencies beyond the compiler tools.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Toolchains
The site lists support for MSVC, GCC, SNC, Clang, GreenHills, CodeWarrior and NVCC (CUDA), along with syntactically compatible command-line compilers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Unity builds
FASTBuild can generate Unity/Blob builds by combining multiple C++ files, and the site says writable files can be built individually for quicker iteration.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Use cases
The site says FASTBuild is used by large studios and independent developers to develop for PC, Mac, Linux, consoles, smartphones and retro systems.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
Warranty
The license provides the software as-is without express or implied warranty.Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org

Plans and prices

FASTBuild v1.20 Free Open-source software; commercial use and redistribution permitted under license terms Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org

Every FASTBuild plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source, with commercial use permitted under license terms
  • Supports local and network build caches
  • Can distribute compilation across networked machines
  • Generates Visual Studio and XCode project files
  • Self-contained executable requires no installation

Limits

  • Some compiler settings prevent caching
  • Some compiler settings require local builds
  • License provides the software without warranty

Who it suits

FASTBuild suits development teams and independent developers who need parallel, cached or distributed compilation. Its listed target platforms include Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android and major game consoles.

Verdict

FASTBuild combines parallel compilation with caching and optional distribution across machines. Check compiler compatibility and worker setup requirements if you plan to distribute builds.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to FASTBuildAll alternatives →