Zero Install

Spec sheet

Product

Zero Install is a decentralised, cross-platform software installation system that lets users run applications without first installing them through a traditional system installer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · 0install.net

Integrations

Zero Install can use packages installed by a Linux distribution and can use PackageKit to install system packages when no Zero Install package is available.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.0install.net

Security

The project says package signatures are checked before new software runs and caching a package does not run its code or write to system software directories.Read 11 Oct 2026 · 0install.net

Privacy

The download page says Zero Install contacts servers during normal operation, such as to check for updates, and does not transmit personal information unless specifically requested by the user.Read 11 Oct 2026 · get.0install.net

Support

The project directs bug reports and feature requests to GitHub Issues and offers a mailing list for questions and suggestions.Read 11 Oct 2026 · 0install.net

Founded

2003Read 28 Sep 2026 · 0install.net

Available apps

The project’s apps site lists tools and libraries for ecosystems including Docker, Kubernetes, Python, JavaScript, Java, .NET, Go, Rust, and Ruby.Read 11 Oct 2026 · apps.0install.net

Dependencies

Zero Install resolves dependencies, shares libraries when possible, and allows conflicting versions to coexist.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.0install.net

Developer tools

The documentation lists Python, .NET, and JSON APIs, plus tools for publishing, testing, mirroring, and managing feeds.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.0install.net

Notable limits

The project says administrators cannot yet limit which programs users may install through Zero Install.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.0install.net

Open source

The project describes Zero Install as fully open source and releases it under the GNU Lesser General Public License.Read 11 Oct 2026 · get.0install.net

Package distribution

Developers can publish software directly from their own websites, and feeds can be hosted on any normal website.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.0install.net

Platform downloads

The download page provides platform choices for Linux, Windows, and macOS, and says source builds can run on most Unix-like operating systems.Read 11 Oct 2026 · get.0install.net

Project history

The project documentation says Zero Install started in 2003 and is developed by volunteers around the world.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.0install.net

Updates

Zero Install checks for updates automatically, with the check frequency configurable.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.0install.net

User access

Users can cache packages without root privileges, and installation does not affect other users of the computer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · docs.0install.net

Plans and prices

Every Zero Install plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Package Managers#60 of 937.7
• Application Deployment Software#36 of 447.4