# pip vs setuptools

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** pip

| Attribute | pip | setuptools |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 63.9 (68% (medium)) | 58.3 (33% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 35 | 36 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 35,613 | 97,511 |
| adoption.github_stars | 10,284 | 2,856 |
| adoption.package_downloads_weekly | 92,897,758 | - |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"A package installer for Python that downloads and installs libraries and dependencies from the Python Package Index and other package repositories, enabling developers to manage project dependencies. It is indexed under Package Registries.","source":"https://pip.pypa.io","question":"What is pip?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"pip offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://pip.pypa.io","question":"Is pip free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"pip supports a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://pip.pypa.io","question":"What platforms does pip support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. pip can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://pip.pypa.io","question":"Can pip be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. pip is published under the MIT 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/pypa/pip","question":"Is pip open source?","confidence":0.95}]` | `[{"answer":"Setuptools simplifies the process of creating and distributing Python packages. It handles the packaging work that would otherwise require manual effort, allowing developers to prepare their code for installation via pip and publication to PyPI.","source":"https://setuptools.pypa.io/","question":"What problem does setuptools solve?","confidence":0.9},{"answer":"Setuptools is completely free to use as open source software with no licensing fees. Organizations requiring dedicated professional support can optionally subscribe to Tidelift for enterprise-grade assistance.","source":"https://setuptools.pypa.io/","question":"What is the cost of setuptools?","confidence":1},{"answer":"Yes, setuptools includes built-in support for building and packaging C and C++ extension modules, making it suitable for Python projects that incorporate compiled native libraries.","source":"https://setuptools.pypa.io/","question":"Does setuptools support native code extensions?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Setuptools is a command-line tool that integrates with Python's package management ecosystem. Developers invoke setuptools commands to prepare and configure their projects for distribution.","source":"https://setuptools.pypa.io/","question":"How is setuptools accessed and used?","confidence":0.9},{"answer":"Yes, setuptools facilitates the complete packaging workflow including preparation and uploading of packages to PyPI, making projects accessible for installation by other developers.","source":"https://setuptools.pypa.io/","question":"Can setuptools help publish to PyPI?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Setuptools supports packaging libraries designed for reuse by other developers as well as standalone applications and command-line tools. It handles the distribution infrastructure for a wide range of Python project types.","source":"https://setuptools.pypa.io/","question":"What types of Python projects can be packaged?","confidence":0.9},{"answer":"Setuptools is maintained as an open source project with community support. Tidelift offers professional support subscriptions for organizations that require dedicated enterprise-level assistance.","source":"https://setuptools.pypa.io/","question":"Is professional support available?","confidence":0.9}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | - |
| description.long | A tool for installing and managing Python packages from package repositories | An open-source Python library that helps developers package their code as reusable libraries and executable applications for installation and distribution via pip and PyPI. |
| features.capabilities | `{"role":"manager_client","ecosystem":"python","deployment":"cli_local","workspaces":false,"open_source":"oss","pricing_model":"free","upstream_proxy":true,"package_formats":"single","private_packages":true,"content_addressable":false,"vuln_license_scanning":false,"lockfile_deterministic":true,"supply_chain_integrity":false}` | - |
| integrations.count | 0 | - |
| language.primary | Python | Python |
| license.spdx | MIT | MIT |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true}` | `{"cli":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"free","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://pip.pypa.io","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T21:37:32.516Z"}` | `{"type":"open_source","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Community (Open Source)","summary":"Free, open-source","description":"Core setuptools library","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Tidelift Subscription","summary":"Professional support available; contact sales","description":"Professional support for setuptools","contactSales":true}],"summary":"Free, open-source. Professional support available via Tidelift Subscription.","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://setuptools.pypa.io/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-05T13:10:16.040Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | free | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | free | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | - | 4 |
| release.history | - | `[{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v84.0.0","date":"2026-08-08T18:28:01Z","type":"stable","version":"v84.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v83.0.0","date":"2026-07-04T15:31:25Z","type":"stable","version":"v83.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v82.0.1","date":"2026-03-09T12:47:20Z","type":"stable","version":"v82.0.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v82.0.0","date":"2026-02-08T15:08:43Z","type":"stable","version":"v82.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v75.3.4","date":"2026-02-08T14:13:45Z","type":"stable","version":"v75.3.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v81.0.0","date":"2026-02-06T21:10:44Z","type":"stable","version":"v81.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.10.2","date":"2026-01-25T22:38:20Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.10.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.10.1","date":"2026-01-21T09:42:06Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.10.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v75.3.3","date":"2026-01-14T21:47:03Z","type":"stable","version":"v75.3.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.9.0","date":"2025-05-27T00:56:55Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.9.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.8.0","date":"2025-05-20T14:02:57Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.8.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.7.1","date":"2025-05-15T02:41:06Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.7.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.7.0","date":"2025-05-14T20:09:34Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.7.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.6.0","date":"2025-05-14T19:50:22Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.6.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.4.0","date":"2025-05-09T20:42:31Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.4.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.3.1","date":"2025-05-04T18:47:07Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.3.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.3.0","date":"2025-05-03T09:17:35Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.3.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.2.0","date":"2025-05-03T02:58:21Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.2.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.1.0","date":"2025-04-30T17:41:10Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.1.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases/tag/v80.0.1","date":"2025-04-30T01:41:14Z","type":"stable","version":"v80.0.1"}]` |
| security.scorecard | 6.4 | 4.4 |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":13,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=pypi&package_name=pip&per_page=100","last_12m":6,"max_severity":"HIGH"}` | `{"count":5,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=pypi&package_name=setuptools&per_page=100","last_12m":1,"max_severity":"HIGH"}` |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-09-21T02:31:47.315Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*