# Chocolatey vs Homebrew

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Homebrew

| Attribute | Chocolatey | Homebrew |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 52.7 (56% (medium)) | 58.8 (50% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 7 | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 110 | 0 |
| adoption.github_stars | 11,495 | 49,281 |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | 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. | 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. |
| 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 | - |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Puppet"},{"name":"SCCM"},{"name":"Intune"}]` | - |
| language.primary | C# | Ruby |
| license.spdx | - | BSD-2-Clause |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"windows":true}` | `{"cli":true,"mac":true,"linux":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":"2026-08-14T21:52:23.773Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | commercial |
| 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/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"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.12","date":"2026-07-20T16:17:48Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.12"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.11","date":"2026-07-14T23:12:25Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.11"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.10","date":"2026-07-13T11:58:34Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.10"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.9","date":"2026-07-08T07:22:48Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.9"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.8","date":"2026-07-06T19:02:09Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.8"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.7","date":"2026-07-06T07:07:07Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.7"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.6","date":"2026-06-30T01:17:41Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.6"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.5","date":"2026-06-26T18:11:56Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.4","date":"2026-06-25T11:35:36Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.3","date":"2026-06-22T14:25:07Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.2","date":"2026-06-15T14:05:05Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.1","date":"2026-06-12T02:47:15Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/releases/tag/6.0.0","date":"2026-06-11T13:13:47Z","type":"stable","version":"6.0.0"}]` |
| reliability.status_page | yes | yes |
| security.disclosure_policy | - | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.scorecard | 4.8 | 5.9 |
| 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: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:10:51.641Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*