- Home
- Software Packaging Tools
- InstallAware
InstallAware
What it is
InstallAware is a setup builder for app and game developers working across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its listed output formats include MSI, EXE, MSIX, APPX, App-V, DEB, RPM, and PKG, with targets including Apple Intel, Apple Silicon, GTK2, Qt5, and Windows x86. Setups can be deployed over the web, and a minimum setup can run without an internet connection. The free Visual Studio extension checks solution dependencies and builds an InstallAware setup from a Visual Studio solution. Developer edition features include MSIX packaging, bridging Win32, Win64, and .NET apps to the Windows Store, and switching installer engines at runtime. It can also build App-V packages and includes a viewer for their contents. The freeware edition requires Visual Studio, and the single-file download requires a 64-bit operating system for decompression. A free plan is listed as free, with a 30-day trial also listed.
For and against
For
- Supports MSI, EXE, MSIX, APPX, App-V, DEB, RPM, and PKG.
- Minimum setup can work without an internet connection.
- Free Visual Studio extension builds setups from solutions.
- Supports command-line packaging, silent installation, and auto-updates.
- Free plan is listed for commercial use.
Against
- Freeware edition requires Visual Studio.
- Download requires a 64-bit operating system for decompression.
- Gold priority technical support is optional.
The verdict
InstallAware combines multi-platform setup building with Windows-specific packaging options and a Visual Studio extension. The free edition has prerequisites, and Gold priority support is optional.
Who it suits
InstallAware suits app and game developers packaging software for Windows, macOS, or Linux. The freeware option is for users with Visual Studio, while Developer edition capabilities address Windows Store and App-V packaging needs.
Plans and prices
InstallAware Free (Visual Studio freeware edition)
Requires Visual Studio · free for commercial use
Read 29 Sep 2026 · installaware.com
On the record
- App-V
- InstallAware can build an App-V package from an InstallAware setup project and includes an App-V viewer for inspecting package contents.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Company
- InstallAware Software says it was founded in 2003 by InstallShield alumni and focuses on software installation tools.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- InstallAware supports web-deployed setups and says minimum setup can work without an Internet connection.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Download requirement
- The freeware edition requires Visual Studio, and the product download page says its single-file download requires a 64-bit operating system for decompression.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Installer engines
- The Developer edition supports switching between Native Code and Windows Installer setup engines at runtime.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Installer formats
- InstallAware describes support for package formats including DEB, RPM, and PKG.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Product
- InstallAware 2026 is a multi-platform setup builder for app and game developers.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Security and signing
- The multi-platform page lists code signing and Apple notarization among its standards-compliant capabilities.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- InstallAware offers free peer support forums and optional Gold support with priority technical support.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Target systems
- The product page lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as development platforms and lists Apple Intel, Apple Silicon, GTK2, Qt5, and Windows x86 targets.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Visual Studio
- The free Visual Studio extension analyzes solution dependencies and creates and builds an InstallAware setup from a Visual Studio solution.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Windows packaging
- The Developer edition supports building MSIX packages and bridging Win32, Win64, and .NET apps to the Windows Store.installaware.com · read 29 Sep 2026
