Advanced Installer vs. EMCO MSI Package Builder: Comparison in Features, Strengths, and Limitations
When it comes to application packaging, two widely used tools are Advanced Installer and EMCO MSI Package Builder. Each tool brings unique strengths to the table, catering to various professional needs.
Advanced Installer is a popular choice among professionals, praised for its intuitive interface and extensive customization capabilities.
EMCO MSI Package Builder, on the other hand, is known for its robust repackaging and MSI creation features, particularly in scenarios requiring straightforward solutions.
In this article, we'll comprehensively compare these two tools, exploring their features, strengths, and limitations to help you make an informed decision.
We also have a very detailed, head-to-head feature comparison between Advanced Installer vs Installshield, you can check it out!
Ease of Use: How Do the Interfaces Compare?
One of the key differentiators between Advanced Installer and EMCO MSI Package Builder is the user experience.
Advanced Installer’s interface is highly intuitive, resulting in a significantly shorter learning curve, allowing users to quickly get up to speed and efficiently create and manage packages.
In contrast, while EMCO MSI Package Builder offers powerful functionality, its interface does not include as many configurable features as the one from Advanced Installer.
Customizing MSI Packages: Tools and Capabilities
When it comes to creating and editing MSI packages, Advanced Installer offers a level of control and precision that stands out. Its advanced customization options allow users to manage every aspect of an installation, from modifying execution stages to incorporating complex custom actions.
As an example, we are all aware that MSI technology allows us to customize every sequence that occurs in the database during the installation process, and we are specifically discussing custom actions.
With Advanced Installer, you can customize your installation as per your needs and requirements by modifying the execution stages:
By comparison, EMCO MSI Package Builder does not provide a similar view for custom actions, however, it only supports configuring custom actions during repackaging, such as PowerShell, VB scripts, and batch file execution.
MSIX Packaging Capabilities
When it comes to MSIX packaging, Advanced Installer really stands out.
Unlike EMCO MSI Package Builder, Advanced Installer includes MSIX improvements each month, adapting to feedback received from thousands of users.
With Advanced Installer, users can easily add dependencies, define application details, and apply compatibility fixes using the Package Support Framework (PSF) and proprietary methods.
It also enables users to trace MSIX packages, declare visual assets and capabilities, and add various declarations such as app extensions, FTAs, services, startup tasks, and firewall rules.
Advanced Installer was selected by Microsoft as the release partner for the MSIX release, in March 2018.
EMCO MSI Package Builder, while capable of generating MSIX packages, is more limited. It provides a reduced list of PSF fixups compared to Advanced Installer and lacks the MSIX container debugging capabilities that are present in the Advanced Installer Visual Studio extension.
APP-V Packaging
Advanced Installer also excels in creating APP-V packages, offering similar customization capabilities as it does for MSIX. It supports the addition of dependencies, compatibility fixes, and other custom elements, which are not as easily managed with EMCO MSI Package Builder.
Managing Multiple Outputs: Advanced Installer’s Integrated Approach
A notable advantage of Advanced Installer is its "one project, multiple outputs" philosophy.
This feature enables users to generate multiple package output formats–MSI, MSIX, and APP-V, from a single project. This integrated workflow streamlines the packaging process while ensuring consistency across formats.
Beyond Basics: Advanced Installer’s Versatility
Advanced Installer offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that extend far beyond basic application packaging. Its versatility includes support for:
- Converting InstallShield or Inno Setup projects.
- Building applications across platforms such as Visual Studio, .NET, ASP.NET, and Tomcat.
- Creating specialized packages like Office add-ins, Adobe plug-ins, and Visual Studio extensions.
- Generating MSI transforms using response or delta transforms.
EMCO MSI Package Builder, while effective for standard MSI creation and repackaging, does not offer the same breadth of features or support for specialized scenarios.
Conclusion
Advanced Installer and EMCO MSI Package Builder are valuable tools in the application packaging domain, each with distinct strengths. Advanced Installer is well-suited for users who prioritize a user-friendly experience, advanced customization, and versatility across various packaging formats. Its robust support for MIS, MSIX, and APP-V, along with its unified workflow for multiple output types, makes it a powerful choice for professionals with diverse packaging needs.
EMCO MSI Package Builder, while effective for MSI creation and repackaging, may not meet the requirements of users seeking advanced features or streamlined workflows, like integrations with Github Actions or Azure DevOps.
Ultimately, the choice between these tools will depend on the specific needs of your project. For those who value flexibility, efficiency, and comprehensive capabilities, we recommend Advanced Installer.
Ready to experience the flexibility and power of Advanced Installer for yourself?
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Written by
Alex Marin
Application Packaging and SCCM Deployments specialist, solutions finder, Technical Writer at Advanced Installer.