appimagetool vs EMCO MSI Package Builder
appimagetool
github.comEMCO MSI Package Builder
emcosoftware.comSide by side
| Figure | appimagetool | EMCO MSI Package Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Software Packaging Tools | 7.8 (#11) | 7.9 (#9) |
| Intended users | The project describes AppImage packaging as a way for application authors to distribute desktop Linux applications across common Linux distributions. | The vendor describes EMCO’s software as tools for IT specialists and network administrators managing Windows computers and automating network administration tasks. |
| Purpose | appimagetool generates an AppImage from an existing AppDir. | The product creates Windows Installer packages and repackages existing installations into MSI, MSIX, and IntuneWin formats. |
| Signing | The tool supports GPG signing with options for a signing key and extra signing arguments. | Generated packages can be digitally signed using a local or cloud-stored code signing certificate. |
| Support | The AppImage project site points users to its Discourse forum and mailing list for questions, and to the #AppImage channel on irc.libera.chat for live chat. | EMCO says free technical support is available by email to customers and trial users. |
Plans
EMCO MSI Package Builder
- Professional Edition — Single User$899, paid once
- Enterprise Edition — Single User$1,349, paid once
- Architect Edition — Single User$1,865, paid once
- Professional Edition — Unlimited Users$2,149, paid once
- Enterprise Edition — Unlimited Users$3,229, paid once
- Architect Edition — Unlimited Users$4,495, paid once
In their own words
appimagetool
appimagetool is a free Linux command-line utility that creates an AppImage from an existing AppDir. It is intended for application authors packaging desktop Linux software for distribution across common Linux distributions. The project describes it as a low-level component and recommends community higher-level tools for most users. Command-line options cover listing AppImage files, setting or guessing update information, selecting Squashfs compression, and excluding files. GPG signing is supported with a signing key and additional arguments. When update information is embedded and zsyncmake is installed, the tool can create a zsync file. Build instructions list x86_64, i686, aarch64, and armhf targets. The current version downloads the latest AppImage runtime, or accepts a local runtime file. Update information can be guessed from GitHub Actions and GitLab CI environment variables. An AppDir is required, and ARCH must be set when binary architecture cannot be determined, such as with multiple architectures or shell scripts. Source code is under the MIT License, subject to stated exceptions and dependency terms.
EMCO MSI Package Builder
EMCO MSI Package Builder has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.