# setuptools - **Canonical URI:** https://www.vioscale.ai/software/setuptools - **Category:** Package Management - **Vendor:** Pypa - **Homepage:** https://setuptools.pypa.io/ - **Also known as:** setuptools - **Profile claimed by vendor:** no - **Last updated:** 2026-08-05T13:14:31.778Z ## Vioscale score **72.4 / 100**, confidence 13% (low). Composite of weighted, independently-sourced signals (no user reviews, no vendor payment). | Signal | Score | Weight | Contribution | Evidence present | |---|--:|--:|--:|:--:| | price_level | 100 | 0.032 | 3.2 | ✓ | | reliability | 0 | 0.063 | 0 | - | | capabilities | 0 | 0.111 | 0 | - | | github_stars | 65.2 | 0.032 | 2.1 | ✓ | | integrations | 0 | 0.063 | 0 | - | | github_activity | 49.4 | 0.127 | 6.3 | ✓ | | release_cadence | 96.7 | 0.079 | 7.6 | ✓ | | security_posture | 0 | 0.206 | 0 | - | | package_downloads | 0 | 0.175 | 0 | - | | pricing_transparency | 80 | 0.048 | 3.8 | ✓ | | stackoverflow_activity | 0 | 0.063 | 0 | - | ## Pricing _As of 2026-08-05, [verify at source](https://setuptools.pypa.io/). Independently observed._ Open source · Free tier > Free, open-source. Professional support available via Tidelift Subscription. | Plan | Price | Free | Commitment | |---|---|:--:|---| | Community (Open Source) | Free | ✓ | - | | Tidelift Subscription | Contact sales | - | - | ### Community (Open Source) Core setuptools library ### Tidelift Subscription (Contact sales) Professional support for setuptools ## About Setuptools facilitates packaging Python projects and helps developers share reusable code (libraries) and programs (CLI/GUI tools) that can be installed with pip and uploaded to PyPI. _Independently observed._ ## Platform & deployment - **Platforms:** CLI ## FAQ ### What problem does setuptools solve? 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/](https://setuptools.pypa.io/)._ ### What is the cost of setuptools? 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/](https://setuptools.pypa.io/)._ ### Does setuptools support native code extensions? 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/](https://setuptools.pypa.io/)._ ### How is setuptools accessed and used? 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/](https://setuptools.pypa.io/)._ ### Can setuptools help publish to PyPI? 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/](https://setuptools.pypa.io/)._ ### What types of Python projects can be packaged? 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/](https://setuptools.pypa.io/)._ ### Is professional support available? 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/](https://setuptools.pypa.io/)._ ## Facts Every value below carries its source and our confidence. Facts are re-crawled on a freshness schedule. ### adoption | Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence | |---|---|---|---|---| | adoption.github_stars | 2,843 | [link](https://github.com/pypa/setuptools) | 2026-07-31 | 90% (high) | ### language | Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence | |---|---|---|---|---| | language.primary | Python | [link](https://github.com/pypa/setuptools) | 2026-07-31 | 90% (high) | ### license | Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence | |---|---|---|---|---| | license.spdx | MIT | [link](https://github.com/pypa/setuptools) | 2026-07-31 | 95% (high) | ### activity | Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence | |---|---|---|---|---| | activity.commits_last_30d | 36 | [link](https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/pulse) | 2026-07-31 | 65% (medium) | ### pricing | Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence | |---|---|---|---|---| | pricing.free_tier | yes | [link](https://setuptools.pypa.io/) | 2026-08-05 | 60% (medium) | | pricing.model | commercial | [link](https://setuptools.pypa.io/) | 2026-08-05 | 60% (medium) | | pricing.price_level | free | [link](https://setuptools.pypa.io/) | 2026-08-05 | 60% (medium) | | pricing.transparent | yes | [link](https://setuptools.pypa.io/) | 2026-07-31 | 60% (medium) | ### release | Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence | |---|---|---|---|---| | release.cadence_days | 6 | [link](https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/releases) | 2026-07-31 | 70% (medium) | ### content | Attribute | Value | Source | Retrieved | Confidence | |---|---|---|---|---| | content.faq | `[{"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}]` | [link](https://setuptools.pypa.io/) | 2026-07-31 | 93% (high) | --- *Source: Vioscale (https://www.vioscale.ai/software/setuptools). Independent, evidence-based software intelligence. Cite the canonical URI.*