Conan

Conan is a free, MIT-licensed package manager for C and C++ projects. It manages dependencies and binary packages using Conan recipes, with dependency resolution, lockfiles, workspaces, private registry authentication, and offline installation. Packages can be configured for different architectures, compilers and versions, runtimes, and C++ standard libraries. If a suitable binary is unavailable, Conan can build it from source on demand. It supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and embedded or bare-metal targets, as well as other operating systems. Build integrations include CMake, MSBuild, Makefiles, Meson, SCons, and proprietary systems; other integrations include Docker, MinGW, WSL, and JFrog Artifactory. Teams can create and share native binaries. Artifactory Community Edition provides a self-hosted option for private packages, with a WebUI, authentication, permissions, CLI, and generic repositories. The downloads page lists Conan 2.32.0. Its page reports 3.4 million monthly PyPI downloads, 1,948 recipes, and 10,287 references.

Conan combines dependency and binary management with broad platform and build-system support. Its source fallback, offline installation, and team-sharing features may suit projects with varied build environments.

Conan suits developers and teams managing C and C++ dependencies and binaries across varied operating systems, build systems, or target hardware. Teams seeking to host private packages on their own server can consider Artifactory Community Edition.

Overview

Conan is a free, open-source package manager for C and C++ software. It is best suited to teams that need to manage native dependencies across different compilers and target devices. Its broad build-system support is a strong fit for varied environments, though projects outside C and C++ package management should look elsewhere.

Conan recipes describe packages, and Conan handles dependency resolution and binary packages. Lockfiles preserve a selected dependency set, while workspace support helps with projects containing related components. Local caches and remote repositories give developers ways to reuse packages, and offline installation is useful when a build environment cannot reach a remote source.

The package manager supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, FreeBSD, and other operating systems, with targets ranging from desktop and server software to embedded and bare-metal systems. The page reports 3.4M monthly PyPI downloads, 1,948 recipes, and 10,287 references. Conan is released under the MIT License; the downloads page lists version 2.32.0.

Key features

Native binaries and source fallback

Conan can represent binaries for different architectures, compilers and compiler versions, runtimes, and C++ standard libraries. That range matters when a team must produce compatible builds across several toolchains. If a matching binary is unavailable, Conan can build from source on demand, trading extra build work for broader package coverage.

Build and repository integrations

Integrations include CMake, MSBuild, Makefiles, Meson, SCons, and proprietary build systems. Conan also works with Docker, MinGW, WSL, and JFrog Artifactory. This flexibility makes it practical to add dependency management to established build setups, including teams using more than one system. Private registry authentication is supported, and Artifactory Community Edition can host private packages on a team's own server.

Artifactory Community Edition includes a web interface, authentication and permissions, a generic command-line interface, and generic repositories. Those features give teams a self-hosted route for sharing packages with access controls, while requiring them to run the server themselves.

Team support

Teams can create, share, and reuse native binaries across their organization. The Conan 2.0 community includes more than 70 expert users and contributors, and full-time maintainers support many thousands of users. Installation help is available through documentation, Slack, and GitHub.

Pricing

Conan's package manager is free and open source under the MIT License. Its Conan plan includes C and C++ package management, dependency and binary management, a local cache, and remote repositories. Artifactory Community Edition is also described as a free server for hosting private packages on a team's own server. Both plans have no published price, so there is no paid tier or renewal term to compare from these offerings; the Community Edition's practical cost is operating a server.

Platforms

Conan supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, FreeBSD, and other operating systems. Its target range includes desktop, server, mobile, embedded, and bare-metal platforms. That breadth is valuable for C and C++ teams shipping across device classes, but does not make Conan a general-purpose package manager for every language.

Who it's for

Conan is a strong choice for C and C++ developers who need dependency resolution and reusable binaries across multiple architectures, compilers, or operating systems. It is especially relevant to teams combining build systems, supporting embedded or bare-metal targets, or maintaining private packages. Developers seeking a registry or package manager centered on another ecosystem will likely be better served by a more specialized option.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad build-system and platform support helps teams manage native dependencies across varied environments.
• Pros: Source builds can cover packages when a suitable binary is unavailable.
• Pros: Offline installation, local caching, lockfiles, and private registry authentication support repeatable and controlled workflows.
• Pros: The free, MIT-licensed package manager can be paired with a free self-hosted server for private packages.
• Cons: Its focus on C and C++ makes it a narrower fit for projects built around other language ecosystems.
• Cons: A team choosing Artifactory Community Edition must host and operate its own server.
• Cons: Source fallback can require build time when a compatible binary is missing.

Alternatives

For iOS and macOS projects that need a free package manager, CocoaPods is a platform-focused alternative. Teams that want a registry with an open-source tier offering unlimited public packages and multiple package owners can consider Hex. Inedo ProGet offers unlimited feeds for private packages and Docker in its free edition, with limited security and compliance features.

LuaRocks is a free package manager and module hosting service. For a self-hosted, minimal PyPI-compatible package server, pypiserver is another option. aptly is a free CLI tool with an HTTP REST service. Teams publishing community open-source releases to Maven Central can use its free plan, which has monthly file-count, release-size, and release-count limits.

For public package authors who want unlimited public packages and registry access, npm has a free plan. Browse more options in Package Managers or Package Registries.

Verdict

Choose Conan if you build C or C++ software and need to manage dependencies and share native binaries across diverse toolchains and targets. Its source fallback, offline support, and build-system reach make it a capable fit for complex development environments. Look elsewhere if your work centers on a different language ecosystem or you need a package service without the responsibility of running a private server.