GNU ELPA vs Hex
GNU ELPA
elpa.gnu.org
Hex
hex.pmSide by side
| Figure | GNU ELPA | Hex |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $7.50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Spec score · Package Registries | 8.6 (#8) | 8.3 (#10) |
| Security | The contribution page warns that a package can pose a security risk if its maintainer’s repository access is compromised. | Hex supports organization authentication keys for CI, and its About page directs security vulnerability reports to [email protected]. |
| Support | The site directs users to report bugs with `M-x report-emacs-bug` and suggests the help-gnu-emacs mailing list for help. | Hex directs users to [email protected] for direct contact with the core team and general support. |
| What it does | GNU ELPA is the default package repository for GNU Emacs and distributes Emacs Lisp extensions separately from the core editor. | Hex is a package manager for the BEAM ecosystem, including languages such as Elixir and Erlang. |
Plans
Hex
- Open SourceFree
- Private Packages$9 a month
- Open SourceFree
- Private Packages (annual)$90 a year
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
Hex
Hex is a package manager for the BEAM ecosystem, including Elixir and Erlang. Its services include an HTTP API, a website, a package and index repository, HexDocs, Mix integration, and other components. Packages work with Mix, Rebar, and erlang.mk, and the site provides usage guidance for Gleam. Developers can fetch dependencies without creating an account.
Organizations can publish and retrieve private packages and manage which users can access them. Free organizations can publish public dependency policies; paid organizations can make policies private and apply them to public and private packages. A private package can depend only on packages in its organization’s repository and the global hexpm repository. Documentation explains how to build and serve a repository on infrastructure an organization operates. Hex supports organization authentication keys for CI, and its source code is licensed under the Apache 2 License. The Open Source plan is free. Private Packages are listed at $9 / user / month, with an annual option at $90 / per user / per year. Enterprise pricing is by contacting sales. Hex lists API, self-hosted, and web platforms.