LuaRocks vs pip
LuaRocks
luarocks.orgpip
pip.pypa.ioSide by side
| Figure | LuaRocks | pip |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Package Managers | 8.5 (#23) | 8.8 (#7) |
| Dependency resolution | Yes | pip can determine and install package dependencies, and its resolver can backtrack when version choices are incompatible. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Offline installation | Yes | Yes |
| Package formats | A rock is a zip file containing its rockspec and the files needed to install a module; rocks can be built for specific platforms. | sdist,wheel |
| Purpose | LuaRocks is a package manager for Lua, and LuaRocks.org hosts rocks and rockspecs for Lua modules. | pip is the package installer for Python and can install packages from PyPI and other indexes. |
| Security | A 2019 security incident page says LuaRocks.org packages did not have signing and verification at the time of that incident. | The documentation says pip does not check for remote tampering by default, but hash-checking mode and binary-only installs can provide a more secure installation method. |
| Support | The official site links to its GitHub issue tracker for reporting issues. | The documentation directs users seeking help to GitHub Issues, the Discourse channel, and User IRC. |
| Supported platforms | Linux,macOS,Windows,Unix,FreeBSD,Cygwin | The current pip version is supported on Windows, Linux, and macOS, and maintainers do not support other operating systems. |
Plans
In their own words
LuaRocks
LuaRocks is a package manager for Lua, with LuaRocks.org hosting rocks and rockspecs for Lua modules. Its command line uses manifests to find packages, choose a version and platform match, and install the corresponding files locally. Rocks carry version dependency information, which LuaRocks uses to install dependencies and load the appropriate module version. Package collections can be organized through the root manifest, per-user manifests, or custom manifests; development versions are kept in a separate manifest and are not installed by default. LuaRocks supports offline installation and platforms including Linux, macOS, Windows, Unix, FreeBSD, and Cygwin. Module authors can register and upload a rockspec, then publish rock files for a version; the current release supports the `luarocks upload` command. The application is described as pure Lua with no library dependencies, though its current release uses helper tools. LuaRocks is free, with a listed price of free.
pip
pip installs Python packages from PyPI and other package indexes, as well as from version control URLs, local project directories, and source archives. It supports source distributions and wheels, resolves dependencies, and can install an environment specified in a requirements file. Its install command can produce a JSON report of installed packages. pip runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and the current version supports CPython 3.10 through 3.15 and the latest PyPy3. Other operating systems and Python versions are not supported by its maintainers. It is commonly included in virtual environments and Python downloads from python.org; ensurepip and get-pip.py are also installation options. An experimental standalone zip application is available, but its documentation advises against production use. pip is free. It does not collect telemetry, though it sends non-identifying details such as Python version and operating system to the remote indexes it accesses. Remote tampering checks are not enabled by default; hash-checking mode and binary-only installs are listed as more secure options.