InstallBuilder vs Master Packager Suite
InstallBuilder
installbuilder.comMaster Packager Suite
masterpackager.comSide by side
| Figure | InstallBuilder | Master Packager Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $99.92/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 10 | 3 |
| Spec score · Software Packaging Tools | 7.9 (#10) | 7.7 (#16) |
| Audience | Customers range from businesses, governments and educational institutions to Fortune 100 companies and independent game developers. | The maker describes the product for IT professionals and application packagers who repackage third-party applications for enterprise deployment. |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, USA | Riga, Latvia |
| Privacy | Backstaff states that sensitive and credit information is transmitted using SSL and encrypted in payment gateway databases. | The maker says optional telemetry contains anonymous package metadata, excludes packaged-file contents, and can be disabled. |
| Purpose | InstallBuilder provides tools and services for packaging, deploying and updating software. | Master Packager Suite is for creating, editing, and repackaging Windows installer packages for mass deployment. |
| Security | InstallBuilder can sign Windows and OS X installers using PKCS#12 or PFX signing certificates and supports encrypted installer payloads requiring a password. | The privacy policy says data in transit uses TLS 1.2+ and data at rest uses AES-256 encryption, with role-based access controls. |
| Support | Every license includes email support and access to new releases for one year; typical response times are 24 hours for standard support and 48 hours for basic support on weekdays. | The Pro plan includes priority support and access to a private app-packaging Discord community. |
Plans
InstallBuilder
- InstallBuilder for Linux$995, paid once
- InstallBuilder for Mac OS X$995, paid once
- InstallBuilder for Qt for Linux$995, paid once
- InstallBuilder for Qt for Windows$995, paid once
- InstallBuilder for Windows$995, paid once
- InstallBuilder for Qt Professional$1,995, paid once
- InstallBuilder Professional$1,995, paid once
- InstallBuilder Enterprise$2,995, paid once
- InstallBuilder Professional Site$6,995, paid once
- InstallBuilder Enterprise Site$9,995, paid once
Master Packager Suite
- CommunityFree
- Pro$1,199 a year
- Service Provider$1,399 a year
In their own words
InstallBuilder
InstallBuilder provides tools for packaging, deploying, and updating software. From one project file and build environment, it creates native cross-platform installers, RPM and Debian packages, and CD or DVD media. Output options also include self-contained executables, DMG, and ZIP. Installers can present a graphical interface, run in text mode, or install silently. Teams can use an XML project format with source control integration and external scripts, and automate builds through the command-line interface. Installers are single-file executables with built-in LZMA compression and no external dependencies; optional downloadable components are fetched only when selected during installation. The product supports automatic updates, Windows and OS X installer signing with PKCS#12 or PFX certificates, and password-protected encrypted payloads. Platform-specific licenses, Professional and Enterprise editions, and site licenses are listed. Prices start at $995, paid once, with one year of support and updates included. A fully functional evaluation copy is available through the download form.
Master Packager Suite
Master Packager Suite is Windows software for creating, editing and repackaging installer packages for mass deployment. Users can create MSI and MST files from scratch or modify vendor installers. The Pro edition converts EXE installers to MSI and MSIX, and templates can retain properties, registry details, summary information and custom actions for reuse. Master Packager Toolbox can upload packages to Microsoft Intune and Patch My PC Cloud Custom Apps. Master Wrapper guides users through PSAppDeployToolkit packaging and automates related tasks. Listed output formats include MSI, MSIX, MST and INTUNEWIN; command-line packaging, silent installation and auto-update support are also available. The product targets 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and requires.NET Framework 4.8 or higher and Windows PowerShell 3.0 or higher. Community is free for personal and business use. Pro costs $1,199.00 per year per user, while Service Provider costs $1,399.00 per year per user and permits packaging services for third parties. A 30-day trial is listed.