Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

pacman (package manager) VS McBrew

Compare pacman (package manager) VS McBrew and see what are their differences

pacman (package manager) logo pacman (package manager)

The pacman package manager is one of the major distinguishing features of ...

McBrew logo McBrew

A fast GUI for Homebrew written in SwiftUI.
  • pacman (package manager) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-07
  • McBrew Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-05-04

pacman (package manager) features and specs

  • Speed
    Pacman is known for its fast performance in handling package operations such as installation, updates, and removal.
  • Dependency Resolution
    Pacman handles dependencies automatically, ensuring that all required libraries and software are installed and up to date.
  • Simple Syntax
    It features a straightforward and easy-to-remember syntax for commands, making it user-friendly for both new and experienced users.
  • Rolling Release Model
    Pacman supports Arch Linux's rolling release model, providing users with the latest software versions without needing to upgrade to a new OS version.
  • AUR Support
    Pacman works well with the Arch User Repository (AUR) through tools like `yay` or `aurman`, giving users access to a vast collection of community-maintained packages.
  • Customizability
    The package manager is highly customizable, allowing users to configure it according to their preferences and needs.

Possible disadvantages of pacman (package manager)

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users might find Pacman difficult to use initially, especially if they are not familiar with command-line interfaces.
  • Less Handholding
    Unlike some other package managers, Pacman assumes a certain level of knowledge about the system, which can be daunting for beginners.
  • Manual Interventions
    Occasionally, updates might require manual interventions, which can be complex and require a good understanding of the underlying system.
  • No Graphical Interface
    Pacman lacks an official graphical user interface (GUI), which some users may find inconvenient.
  • Limited Official Repositories
    Although AUR provides an extensive range of packages, the official repositories are not as vast compared to some other distributions, potentially requiring users to rely on community packages.

McBrew features and specs

  • Open Source
    McBrew is hosted on GitHub, making its source code open for public use, inspection, and contribution.
  • Community Involvement
    Being an open-source project, it allows and encourages contributions from developers worldwide, fostering collaboration and innovation.
  • Cost-effective
    McBrew can be used without any licensing fees, reducing overall costs for users who need a solution offered by the project.
  • Customization
    Users can modify the code to fit their needs, adding new features or tweaking existing ones to better suit their use cases.
  • Continuous Updates
    Open-source projects typically receive regular updates and improvements from the community or project maintainers.

Possible disadvantages of McBrew

  • Lack of Official Support
    Being an open-source project, McBrew may lack comprehensive official support or dedicated customer service teams.
  • Varying Quality of Contributions
    Contributions from a wide range of developers might lead to inconsistent code quality and documentation.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Users might experience compatibility issues with other software or systems as the project evolves over time.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Users may need a deeper understanding of the project's codebase and dependencies to effectively leverage and contribute to it.
  • Security Risks
    Open-source projects could be vulnerable if dependencies or contributions are not adequately vetted for security risks.

Analysis of pacman (package manager)

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Pacman is considered a very good package manager, particularly for users who value a minimalist and efficient tool in managing software packages on a Linux system. Its speed, simplicity, and reliability make it a preferred choice for many Arch Linux users.

Why this product is good

  • Pacman is the default package manager for Arch Linux and its derivatives. It is renowned for its simplicity and speed in package management, offering a clear and concise command syntax. Pacman efficiently handles package updates, installations, and removals, keeping the system up to date with the latest software. Additionally, it has robust dependency management, ensuring all required dependencies are handled automatically during installations.

Recommended for

    Pacman is especially recommended for those who use Arch Linux or its derivatives, like EndeavourOS and Manjaro, as well as users who appreciate a hands-on approach to Linux and enjoy customizing their environment. It's well-suited for advanced Linux users who want more control over their system.

pacman (package manager) videos

No pacman (package manager) videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

McBrew videos

Burger Review - Stuey McBrew's

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to pacman (package manager) and McBrew)
Front End Package Manager
Windows Tools
66 66%
34% 34
Package Manager
71 71%
29% 29
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using pacman (package manager) and McBrew. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, pacman (package manager) seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 39 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

pacman (package manager) mentions (39)

  • Been thinking of switching to linux but I am a noob
    However, that "pacman -S" command has lots of switches (see section 1.1.1 ==> https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/pacman ). Source: over 1 year ago
  • How to build Software as a Service (SaaS) Notes application with mySQL/MariaDB and Apache in 300 lines of code
    Install Vely - you can use standard packaging tools such as apt, dnf, pacman or zypper. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Project on GitHub - Customizable Arch Linux Podman images based on the official Arch Linux Docker image
    Automatic installation of packages during building utilizes pacman and aurman with the supported "package sources" being:. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • A response to the Fedora 40 Privacy-Preserving Telemetry Proposal
    * Package management and DNF syntax usage are big topics. Follow the Arch Wiki example for the "pacman" package management tool ==> https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/pacman. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Could someone make a Decky plugin that automates installing common dependencies?
    Should be possible as the Arch distro SteamOS is built on includes pacman. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

McBrew mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of McBrew yet. Tracking of McBrew recommendations started around May 2024.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing pacman (package manager) and McBrew, you can also consider the following products

Homebrew - The missing package manager for macOS

Chocolatey - The sane way to manage software on Windows.

BrewMate - Homebrew GUI Apps Manager

Conda - Binary package manager with support for environments.

NixOS - 25 Jun 2014 . All software components in NixOS are installed using the Nix package manager. Packages in Nix are defined using the nix language to create nix expressions.

Yay - Yay is an AUR helper written in go, based on the design of yaourt, apacman and pacaur.