Apache Ant vs Please
Apache Ant
ant.apache.org
Please
please.buildSide by side
| Figure | Apache Ant | Please |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Build Automation Software | 8.3 (#8) | 7.1 (#36) |
| Founded | 2000 | 2014 |
| License | Apache Ant releases from version 1.6.1 onward are covered by the Apache License, Version 2.0. | Please is licensed under Apache 2.0. |
| Supported systems | The project says Ant has been used on Linux, macOS, Windows NT descendants, and several Unix and other platforms; development focuses on Linux, macOS, Windows, and Unix. | Please actively supports Linux and macOS; it also supports FreeBSD, while Windows is not supported natively but can run Please through WSL. |
Plans
In their own words
Apache Ant
Apache Ant is a Java library and command-line tool that runs processes described in build files as targets and tasks. Its tasks compile, assemble, test, and run Java applications, and can also build C and C++ projects. Additional built-in coverage handles archiving, file operations, execution, remote access, source control, and testing. Ant does not impose coding conventions or directory layouts on Java projects. Developers can extend it with Antlibs containing tasks and types, while optional Antlibs are distributed separately from the core release. For projects needing dependency management alongside build tooling, the project recommends Apache Ivy. Ant 1.10 requires JDK 8 or later; many tasks will not work with only a JRE. The JUnit task requires external libraries that are not bundled. Ant has been used on Linux, macOS, Windows NT descendants, Unix, and other platforms, with development focused on Linux, macOS, Windows, and Unix. Releases from version 1.6.1 onward use the Apache License, Version 2.0. The listed free plan is Apache Ant 1.10.18, distributed as ZIP, TAR.GZ, and TAR.BZ2 packages. Download guidance includes PGP signature and SHA512 verification.