Tech riderRev. 5 Oct 2026
- 1Runs onLinux, Mac, Windows
- 2CostsFree plan
- 3Build as codeYes
- 4Dependency lockingYes
- 5Build cachingYes
- 6Artifact packagingYes
- 7Supported operating systemsmulti-platform
7 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: mesonbuild.com
Overview
Meson is ranked #8 of 40 in build automation software on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. There is a free plan.
Meson plans and pricing
All plansCompared on build automation software
- Build as code
- Yesmesonbuild.com
- Dependency locking
- Yesmesonbuild.com
- Build caching
- Yesmesonbuild.com
- Artifact packaging
- Yesmesonbuild.com
- Supported operating systems
- multi-platformmesonbuild.com
Facts
- Purpose
- Meson is an open source build system designed to be fast and user friendly.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The site lists C, C++, C#, D, Fortran, Java, and Rust as supported languages.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Build definitions
- Build definitions use a readable, user friendly DSL that is not Turing complete.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Cross compilation
- Meson supports cross compilation for many operating systems and bare metal.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Dependency provider
- Meson includes a multiplatform dependency provider that works with distribution packages.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Backends
- Ninja is the default backend; Visual Studio and Xcode backends are also available for native IDE integration.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- IDE integrations
- The documentation lists integrations including CLion, Eclipse CDT, GNOME Builder, KDevelop, Qt Creator, and a VS Code/Codium extension.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- IDE API
- Meson provides an introspection API and JSON files describing targets, dependencies, tests, and build options for IDE and build-tool integration.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Install methods
- Meson can be installed with pip, downloaded from its GitHub releases, or installed with an MSI that bundles Meson, Ninja, and Python for Windows.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Runtime requirement
- Meson is implemented in Python 3 and requires Python 3.10 or newer according to its installation page.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Build dependency
- The Ninja executable is needed for the default Ninja backend, while Visual Studio and Xcode backends can be used without Ninja.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Dependency downloads
- Wrap dependencies are downloaded only when a configured wrap file and an explicit subproject or dependency fallback invocation are both present.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- The site says downloading through Wraps can be disabled with the --wrap-mode=nodownload option.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The project directs users to the #mesonbuild Matrix or OFTC IRC channel and GitHub Discussions for general discussion.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- Meson does not support wildcard source lists in build definitions because it says that rescanning globs would undermine reliable, fast builds.mesonbuild.com · 5 Oct 2026
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Where it ranks on Specifiction
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Sources
- mesonbuild.com· checked 5 Oct 2026
- mesonbuild.com/Builtin-options.html· checked 5 Oct 2026
- mesonbuild.com/IDE-integration.html· checked 5 Oct 2026
- mesonbuild.com/Getting-meson.html· checked 5 Oct 2026
- mesonbuild.com/FAQ.html· checked 5 Oct 2026