distcc
What it is
distcc is free software for distributing C, C++, Objective C, and Objective C++ builds across networked computers. It sends preprocessed source over the network to machines running the distccd daemon and a suitable compiler. The project says distributed builds should match local-build results and are usually faster than compiling locally. distcc works with GNU Make, SCons, and other parallel build tools. GCC is fully supported; Intel icc is somewhat compatible, and the FAQ reports Sun’s proprietary C compiler working in C mode. Different processors or operating systems can participate when suitable cross-compilers are installed. Listed platforms include Linux, macOS, self-hosted deployments, and Windows, with reported operation on several other Unix-like systems and Cygwin. Described use cases include developer workgroups, offloading laptop builds to a faster home machine, and building on embedded or small computers. Related tools cover server selection, centralized control, cross-compilation toolchains, and monitoring. TCP traffic is not encrypted or signed; SSH connections are authenticated and encrypted.
For and against
For
- Free plan with no paid tiers stated
- Distributes builds across networked machines
- Works with GNU Make and SCons
- Supports cross-platform builds with cross-compilers
- SSH mode authenticates and encrypts connections
Against
- TCP transmissions are not encrypted or signed
- Does not automatically balance work across machines
- Clients and servers trust each other
- TCP access can allow commands as distccd user
The verdict
distcc provides network-based compilation for several C-family languages and works with common parallel build tools. Its security notes make access controls important, especially when using TCP mode.
Who it suits
distcc suits developers and teams building C-family code who can provide networked machines with appropriate compilers. It also fits laptop, embedded, and small-computer workflows that can offload compilation.
Plans and prices
distcc
Free distributed C/C++ compiler · no paid tiers stated
Read 8 Oct 2026 · distcc.org
On the record
- Access risk
- The security notes state that anyone able to connect to the server port can run arbitrary commands as the distccd user, and that the client and server trust each other.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Build behavior
- The site says distcc should produce the same results as a local build and is usually faster than compiling locally.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Build tools
- The site describes using distcc with GNU Make, SCons, or other build tools that support parallel builds.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Caching integration
- The FAQ says ccache and distcc can be used as separate programs, but using ccache prevents distcc's pump mode.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Compiler support
- The FAQ says GCC is fully supported; Intel icc is somewhat compatible, and Sun's proprietary C compiler is reported to work in C mode.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Cross-platform builds
- The site says machines can use different processors or operating systems when appropriate cross-compilers are installed.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- How it works
- distcc sends preprocessed source code over the network and uses a distccd daemon and an appropriate compiler on each volunteer machine.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- The FAQ says distcc does not automatically detect the best distribution of work across machines.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Other related tools
- The site lists dmucs for server selection, ccontrol for centralized control, crosstool for cross-compilation toolchains, and distccWebView for monitoring servers.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Platform support
- The home page says distcc is developed on GNU/Linux and has been reported to work on FreeBSD, NetBSD, Darwin, Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, Cygwin and BSD/OS.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- distcc distributes builds of C, C++, Objective C and Objective C++ code across multiple networked machines.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security: SSH mode
- The security notes say SSH connections are authenticated and encrypted, and each user's server process runs with that user's account privileges.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security: TCP mode
- The security notes warn that TCP transmissions are not encrypted or signed and recommend restricting access with --allow rules or firewall rules.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs unanswered questions to the mailing list archives or the distcc mailing list.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The scenarios page describes use by developer workgroups, laptop users who offload builds to a faster home machine, and developers working on embedded or small computers.distcc.org · read 8 Oct 2026
