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FASTBuild
What it is
FASTBuild is a free, open-source build system for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It runs compilation tasks across worker threads, reuses results through local or network caches, and can distribute compilation across networked machines when compiler settings and worker setup are compatible. The maker says caching can accelerate compile times up to 10x. Some compiler settings prevent caching or distribution; affected objects are then built without caching or locally.
FASTBuild supports MSVC, GCC, SNC, Clang, GreenHills, CodeWarrior, NVCC, and syntactically compatible command-line compilers. It can combine C++ files into Unity or Blob builds, while allowing writable files to be built individually for quicker iteration. It can generate Visual Studio and XCode project files, and its output is Visual Studio compatible. Listed target platforms include Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, and major game consoles. The maker describes it as a self-contained executable that requires no installation or external dependencies beyond compiler tools. The license permits commercial use and redistribution subject to its conditions, and provides the software as-is without warranty.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Shares compilation results through local or network caches
- Supports a range of named compiler toolchains
- Can generate Visual Studio and XCode projects
- No installation required
Against
- Some compiler settings prevent caching
- Some compiler settings require local builds
- License provides the software without warranty
The verdict
FASTBuild combines parallel compilation, caching, and optional network distribution in a self-contained build system. Its benefits depend on compatible compiler settings and worker setup, and its license provides no warranty.
Who it suits
FASTBuild may suit large studios and independent developers building for desktop, mobile, console, or retro systems. It is relevant to teams looking to share compilation work across threads, caches, or networked machines.
Plans and prices
FASTBuild v1.20
Open-source software; commercial use and redistribution permitted under license terms
Read 11 Oct 2026 · fastbuild.org
On the record
- Build cache
- Its built-in cache shares compilation results through a local or network cache, and the site says caching can accelerate compile times up to 10x.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Build targets
- The feature page lists target platforms including Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android and major game consoles.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Cache limitation
- Some compiler settings are incompatible with caching; affected objects are built without caching.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Caching
- Compilation results can be shared between builds using a local or network cache.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Current release
- The maker identifies v1.20, released 26-Apr-2026, as the current version.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Distributed compilation
- FASTBuild can distribute compilation across networked machines, subject to compatible settings, compiler synchronization, worker discovery and worker startup requirements.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution limitation
- Some compiler settings are incompatible with distribution; affected objects are built locally.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Editor support
- The features page says FASTBuild output is Visual Studio compatible and it can generate Visual Studio and XCode projects.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- The downloads page lists third-party Unreal Engine integrations, build visualizers, and editor support for tools including Emacs, Sublime, Vim and VSCode.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- IDE integration
- FASTBuild can generate Visual Studio and XCode project files to use those IDEs with FASTBuild compilation.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The download page lists third-party Unreal Engine 4 integrations and Visual Studio and VSCode-related tooling.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker says FASTBuild is used by large studios and independent developers for PC, Mac, Linux, console, smartphone, and retro-system development.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The license permits use for any purpose, including commercial applications, and permits alteration and redistribution subject to stated conditions.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Lightweight
- The features page describes FASTBuild as a self-contained executable with no external dependencies and no installation requirement.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Notable distribution limits
- Some compiler settings cannot be distributed; the documentation says FASTBuild builds affected objects locally when it detects incompatible settings.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Parallel builds
- FASTBuild runs compilation tasks across worker threads to use CPU cores efficiently.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The maker says FASTBuild can improve build times by 10x or more over other build systems.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- FASTBuild is an open-source build system for Windows, Linux and OS X that supports scalable compilation, caching and network distribution.fastbuild.org · read 11 Oct 2026
