# Chocolatey vs Homebrew

| Attribute | Chocolatey | Homebrew |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 53.8 (53% (medium)) | 55.2 (52% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 21 | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 110 | 0 |
| adoption.github_stars | 11,541 | 50,016 |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"Chocolatey is a command-line package manager for Windows that simplifies software deployment and lifecycle management. It offers both free open-source capabilities and commercial enterprise editions with advanced features like central management and package auditing. It is indexed under Package Registries.","source":"https://chocolatey.org/pricing","question":"What is Chocolatey?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Chocolatey offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Paid plans start at $18 per node per year. Prices are published openly on the vendor's own pricing page. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://chocolatey.org/pricing","question":"Is Chocolatey free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Chocolatey supports Windows and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://chocolatey.org/pricing","question":"What platforms does Chocolatey support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Chocolatey can be deployed cloud / SaaS, on-premise and self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://chocolatey.org/pricing","question":"Can Chocolatey be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 3 integrations for Chocolatey, including Puppet, SCCM and Intune. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://chocolatey.org/pricing","question":"What does Chocolatey integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed GDPR for Chocolatey. Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as Chocolatey not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://chocolatey.org/security","question":"What security certifications does Chocolatey have?","confidence":0.7},{"answer":"Chocolatey is available worldwide. Its primary market is the United States. The vendor is headquartered in the United States.","source":"https://chocolatey.org/pricing","question":"Where is Chocolatey available?","confidence":0.75}]` | `[{"answer":"Homebrew is a package manager that installs command-line tools, libraries, and applications from upstream source code. It organizes each package in an isolated directory and uses symlinks to integrate them into your system. It is indexed under Package Registries.","source":"https://brew.sh","question":"What is Homebrew?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Homebrew offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://brew.sh","question":"Is Homebrew free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Homebrew supports macOS, Linux and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://brew.sh","question":"What platforms does Homebrew support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Homebrew can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://brew.sh","question":"Can Homebrew be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Homebrew is published under the BSD-2-Clause licence, a permissive licence that generally allows commercial use and modification. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew","question":"Is Homebrew open source?","confidence":0.95}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | Windows package manager with command-line and graphical interfaces, enabling installation and management of software packages and their dependencies. | Homebrew is a free, community-driven package manager that automates the installation and management of software packages, libraries, and applications. It supports multiple platforms and package formats, allowing users to install tools from official repositories or maintain custom packages. |
| features.capabilities | `{"role":"manager_client","ecosystem":"os","deployment":"both","open_source":"open_core","pricing_model":"per_seat","upstream_proxy":true,"package_formats":"multi","private_packages":true,"vuln_license_scanning":true,"supply_chain_integrity":true}` | `{"role":"public_registry","ecosystem":"os","deployment":"cli_local","open_source":"oss","pricing_model":"free","package_formats":"multi","private_packages":true,"content_addressable":true,"vuln_license_scanning":true,"supply_chain_integrity":true}` |
| integrations.count | 3 | 8 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Puppet"},{"name":"SCCM"},{"name":"Intune"}]` | `[{"name":"Mac App Store","native":true},{"name":"WinGet","native":true},{"name":"VSCode","native":true},{"name":"Go","native":true},{"name":"Cargo","native":true},{"name":"uv","native":true},{"name":"Flatpak","native":true},{"name":"kubectl","native":true}]` |
| language.primary | C# | Ruby |
| license.spdx | - | BSD-2-Clause |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"windows":true}` | `{"cli":true,"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Open Source","summary":"Free, unlimited machines","features":["Unlimited machines","Create packages","Host own package repository","Third-party tool integration","Package shims","Automated software updates","30+ PowerShell functions","Package extensions"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":0,"period":null,"currency":"USD"}],"description":"Free for individuals and organizations","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Pro","summary":"$96/year for up to 8 machines","features":["All open source features","Enhanced functionality","Additional PowerShell functions","Package reducer","Package throttle","Runtime malware/virus protection","CDN-backed package downloads"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":96,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Personal named license for individuals","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"machines":"8"}},{"free":false,"name":"Business (C4B)","summary":"From $18/node/year (100-node minimum). Volume discounts and perpetual licensing available.","features":["All Pro features","Central management dashboard","Self-service package installation","Full package synchronization","Package internalizer","Package audit and reporting","Dedicated support","Professional packaging services"],"minSeats":100,"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"node","amount":18,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For organizations managing multiple machines","contactSales":false}],"summary":"Free open source tier. Pro $96/year for individuals (up to 8 machines). Business from $18/node/year with volume discounts.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://chocolatey.org/pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T08:37:06.760Z","startingPrice":{"amount":18,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["year"]}` | `{"type":"free","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://brew.sh","retrievedAt":"2026-10-15T09:22:56.084Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | free |
| pricing.price_level | mid | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | - |
| release.cadence_days | 21 | 3 |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.7.4","date":"2026-08-19T10:40:56Z","type":"stable","version":"2.7.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/1.4.7","date":"2026-08-19T08:43:54Z","type":"stable","version":"1.4.7"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.7.3","date":"2026-06-10T10:39:59Z","type":"stable","version":"2.7.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.7.2","date":"2026-05-12T12:02:05Z","type":"stable","version":"2.7.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/1.4.6","date":"2026-05-12T12:02:35Z","type":"stable","version":"1.4.6"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.7.1","date":"2026-04-01T08:31:42Z","type":"stable","version":"2.7.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/1.4.5","date":"2026-03-18T09:36:46Z","type":"stable","version":"1.4.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.7.0","date":"2026-03-17T18:40:17Z","type":"stable","version":"2.7.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.6.0","date":"2025-12-01T10:05:31Z","type":"stable","version":"2.6.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.5.1","date":"2025-09-03T10:56:21Z","type":"stable","version":"2.5.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/1.4.4","date":"2025-09-03T09:17:03Z","type":"stable","version":"1.4.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.5.0","date":"2025-07-09T10:00:48Z","type":"stable","version":"2.5.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.4.3","date":"2025-02-27T13:32:30Z","type":"stable","version":"2.4.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/1.4.3","date":"2025-02-10T11:27:22Z","type":"stable","version":"1.4.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.4.2","date":"2025-01-29T10:28:47Z","type":"stable","version":"2.4.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/1.4.2","date":"2025-01-29T10:29:04Z","type":"stable","version":"1.4.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.4.1","date":"2024-12-04T17:19:35Z","type":"stable","version":"2.4.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/1.4.1","date":"2024-12-04T17:18:32Z","type":"stable","version":"1.4.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.4.0","date":"2024-11-12T18:53:32Z","type":"stable","version":"2.4.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/chocolatey/choco/releases/tag/2.3.0","date":"2024-06-05T11:38:06Z","type":"stable","version":"2.3.0"}]` | `[{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.9","date":"2026-10-08T10:51:59Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.9"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.8","date":"2026-10-05T07:48:38Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.8"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.7","date":"2026-09-28T07:49:21Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.7"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.6","date":"2026-09-21T16:33:33Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.6"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.5","date":"2026-09-21T14:32:39Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.4","date":"2026-09-17T16:38:21Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.3","date":"2026-09-16T18:31:15Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.2","date":"2026-09-15T16:44:56Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.1","date":"2026-09-13T16:26:18Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/7.0.0","date":"2026-09-13T08:30:11Z","type":"stable","version":"7.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.22","date":"2026-09-05T07:56:10Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.22"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.21","date":"2026-09-01T12:22:13Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.21"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.20","date":"2026-08-27T10:26:48Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.20"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.19","date":"2026-08-24T07:43:35Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.19"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.18","date":"2026-08-17T07:46:53Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.18"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.17","date":"2026-08-11T14:37:20Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.17"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.16","date":"2026-08-10T13:40:39Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.16"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.15","date":"2026-08-03T07:55:59Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.15"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.14","date":"2026-07-31T15:10:38Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.14"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.13","date":"2026-07-27T12:54:46Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.13"}]` |
| reliability.status_page | yes | yes |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.scorecard | 4.5 | 5.9 |
| security.trust_center | https://chocolatey.org/security | https://brew.sh/2021/04/21/security-incident-disclosure/ |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=nuget&package_name=chocolatey&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=go&package_name=github.com%2FHomebrew%2Fbrew&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` |

## Capabilities (Package Registries)

| Capability | Chocolatey | Homebrew |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Role | Package manager client | Public registry |
| **Ecosystem** |  |  |
| Ecosystem / language | OS-level | OS-level |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Deployment | Both | CLI-local |
| **Formats** |  |  |
| Package formats supported | Many formats | Many formats |
| **Hosting** |  |  |
| Private / scoped packages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Upstream proxy / caching | ✓ | - |
| **Resolution** |  |  |
| Lockfile / deterministic installs | - | - |
| Workspaces / monorepo | - | - |
| Content-addressable store | - | ✓ |
| **Supply chain** |  |  |
| Supply-chain integrity | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vulnerability / licence scanning | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Licensing** |  |  |
| Openness | Open-core | Open-source |
| **Pricing** |  |  |
| Pricing model | Per-seat | Free / OSS |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T00:50:30.040Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*