Cargo vs NuGet
Cargo
doc.rust-lang.org
NuGet
nuget.orgSide by side
| Figure | Cargo | NuGet |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Package Managers | 8.8 (#6) | 8.1 (#31) |
| Dependency management | Cargo downloads and builds package dependencies and helps ensure repeatable builds. | NuGet resolves package dependency graphs and records package identifiers and versions so dependencies can be restored across machines and build servers. |
| Dependency resolution | Yes | Yes |
| Intended users | The Cargo Book presents Cargo as a tool for developing Rust packages. | NuGet provides tools and package hosting for .NET library creators and consumers. |
| Lockfile support | Yes | Yes |
| Offline installation | Yes | Yes |
| Package formats | Rust crates; crates.io packages; alternate registry packages; Git dependencies; local path dependencies | .nupkg,.snupkg |
| Private registry auth | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | Cargo is the Rust package manager. | NuGet is the package manager for .NET, providing tools to create, share, and consume packages. |
| Support | Cargo asks users to report bugs through its GitHub issue tracker. | The NuGet Gallery directs users with questions to its contact page and provides a service-status page for NuGet.org and related services. |
| Supported platforms | Windows; macOS; Linux; other Unix-like systems | Windows,macOS,Linux,.NET |
| Supported systems | Rustup installation instructions cover Windows, macOS, Linux, and other Unix-like systems, and Cargo is included in the Rust toolchain. | The dotnet CLI works on Windows, macOS, and Linux; nuget.exe runs on Windows and can run on macOS and Linux with Mono, with limitations. |
Plans
In their own words
Cargo
Cargo is the free package manager and build tool for Rust, used through a command-line interface. It downloads dependencies, builds packages, and supports repeatable builds with lockfiles. Developers can compile, check, document, test, run, package, install, and publish Rust projects. The `cargo new` command creates a package, defaulting to a binary; adding `--lib` creates a library. Cargo uses crates.io by default and also handles alternate registries, Git dependencies, and local paths. Workspaces allow multiple packages to share a lockfile and output directory. Package features can enable conditional compilation and optional dependencies. In offline mode, Cargo avoids network access and attempts to use cached data. It supports authentication options for registries and new subcommands without modifying Cargo itself. Rustup installs Cargo with the stable Rust release, and installation instructions cover Windows, macOS, Linux, and other Unix-like systems. Cargo is open source under the MIT and Apache License, Version 2.0. Some documented capabilities remain unstable and require a nightly toolchain and `-Z` flags.
NuGet
NuGet is a package manager for .NET projects, with tools to create and consume packages and the NuGet Gallery as a central repository. Packages use the .nupkg format and can include compiled code, related files and a descriptive manifest; .snupkg is also supported. NuGet resolves dependency graphs and records package identifiers and versions so projects can restore dependencies across machines and build servers. PackageReference and packages.config are supported, with PackageReference required for .NET SDK-style projects. Developers can manage packages in Visual Studio or use the dotnet CLI and nuget.exe. Packages may be hosted in private cloud locations, private networks or local file systems. Restore can check dependencies against configured vulnerability sources and report warnings. NuGet also supports lockfiles, offline installation, private registry authentication and package signatures. The service is free, and the Gallery code is open source under Apache 2.0. The dotnet CLI works on Windows, macOS and Linux; nuget.exe runs on Windows and can run on macOS and Linux with Mono, with limitations.