pip
What it is
pip is the package installer for Python, used to install packages from PyPI and other indexes. It can also install from version control URLs, local project directories, and local or remote source archives, including source distributions and wheels. Requirements files let users specify an environment for installation, and pip can resolve dependencies. The install command can generate a JSON report of installed packages. pip supports lockfiles, private registry authentication, and offline installation. The current version works on Windows, Linux, and macOS, and supports CPython 3.10 through 3.15 and the latest PyPy3; its maintainers do not support other operating systems or Python versions. It is commonly included with Python downloaded from python.org and in virtual environments, and is also available through ensurepip or get-pip.py. A standalone zip application is experimental and not intended for production. pip is free, with no paid plans or usage limits stated. It does not collect telemetry, but sends non-identifying environment information, such as Python version and operating system, to the remote indexes it uses.
For and against
For
- Installs from indexes, repositories, and local sources.
- Supports wheels and source distributions.
- Requirements files specify environments.
- Supports dependency resolution and offline installation.
- Can produce JSON installation reports.
Against
- Maintainers do not support other operating systems or Python versions.
- Standalone zip application is experimental and not for production.
- Remote tampering checks are not enabled by default.
The verdict
pip supports several package sources and installation workflows across its maintained Python and operating-system versions. Users should note the support boundaries and that remote tampering checks require additional installation measures.
Who it suits
pip suits Python users who need to install packages from public indexes, repositories, or local sources. Its supported operating systems and Python versions matter for users with other environments.
Plans and prices
pip
No paid plans or usage limits are stated on the opened documentation pages
Read 5 Oct 2026 · pip.pypa.io
On the record
- Authentication
- pip supports basic HTTP authentication, credentials from a .netrc file, and credentials stored in keyring when configured.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- pip can determine and install package dependencies, and its resolver can backtrack when version choices are incompatible.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Experimental format
- The standalone zip application is experimental and the documentation says it should not be used in production environments.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Installation
- pip is usually installed automatically in virtual environments and with Python downloaded from python.org.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Installation options
- pip is commonly installed with Python and can also be installed using ensurepip or get-pip.py.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Installation report
- The install command offers a report option to generate a JSON report of what pip installed.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Lockfile support
- Yespip.pypa.io · read 22 Sep 2026
- Offline installation
- Yespip.pypa.io · read 22 Sep 2026
- Package building
- pip delegates building source distribution packages to a build backend when needed.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Package formats
- sdist,wheelpip.pypa.io · read 22 Sep 2026
- Package sources
- pip looks at PyPI by default and can install packages from other Python package repositories.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Platform support
- The current pip version works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- pip says it does not collect telemetry, but it sends non-identifying environment information such as Python version and OS to remote indexes it uses.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Private registry auth
- Yespip.pypa.io · read 22 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- pip is the package installer for Python and can install packages from PyPI and other indexes.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Python compatibility
- The current version supports CPython 3.10 through 3.15 and the latest PyPy3; other operating systems and Python versions are not supported by pip’s maintainers.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Requirements files
- pip supports requirements files as a way to specify a whole environment to install.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- The documentation says pip does not check for remote tampering by default, but hash-checking mode and binary-only installs can provide a more secure installation method.pip.pypa.io · read 5 Oct 2026
