conda vs setuptools
conda
conda.iosetuptools
setuptools.pypa.ioSide by side
| Figure | conda | setuptools |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Python Package Managers | 7.8 (#12) | 7.3 (#22) |
| Integrations | Conda can work with pip in an active conda environment, though the documentation notes unavoidable compatibility limits between pip and conda packages. | The documentation describes using setuptools with pip, build, and PyPI as part of building and distributing Python packages. |
| Package discovery | The documentation directs users to Anaconda.org to find packages for projects. | Setuptools can automatically discover packages and namespaces and lets maintainers customize which packages are distributed. |
| Purpose | Conda provides package, dependency, and environment management for any language. | Setuptools is a library designed to facilitate packaging Python projects for sharing and installation. |
Plans
In their own words
setuptools
setuptools is a free Python packaging library for preparing projects for sharing and installation. It can serve as a project build backend, discover packages and namespaces, and let maintainers control which packages are distributed. It handles build-system requirements plus required and optional dependencies, including version limits and environment markers, and supports dependency groups. Configured entry points can generate console-command and plugin scripts during installation. Editable installs apply source changes without rebuilding and reinstalling. The library can build C and C++ extension modules, and its documentation covers workflows with pip, build, and PyPI. Setuptools runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, while the current PyPI listing requires Python 3.10 or later. The project identifies modern PyPA-standard APIs and documented customization APIs as its most stable interfaces. It is free, has no free trial, and professional support is available through a Tidelift Subscription.