Choosing the Right Windows Packaging Tool - from a developer’s perspective

NSIS Packaging Tool

In a nutshell NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System)

• It is a free packaging tool that’s been used by a lot of developers over the years.
• It is best known for its lightweight footprint and the flexibility it offers through its custom scripting language.
• It works by setting up the installer’s behavior through writing scripts, which means it gives you full control over each step of the installation process.

However, this flexibility comes with a trade-off. Because NSIS relies on manual scripting, it can require a lot of effort to set up even a basic installer, let alone handle more advanced scenarios.

For instance, in complex installations (like driver setups or service configurations), you might find using NSIS is complicated if you compare it to other commercial or more feature-rich packaging tools.

Still, NSIS is a great, free option if you're OK with scripting and your installation needs are simple. If you have complex projects that demand advanced installation tasks, you will need to choose other tools that offer support for these requirements.

Important! NSIS is limited to only creating EXE packages. If your application targets an enterprise environment, we recommend the MSI packaging format.

Check out our comprehensive comparison article NSIS Installer vs. Advanced Installer: From Scripts to GUIs in Application Packaging for a thorough overview.

WiX Installer

WiX Installer is a free, open‐source toolset that uses XML files to define the installer’s structure and behavior.

The WiX approach offers great flexibility and allows developers to build highly customized installation experiences (even for complex tasks such as installing drivers, configuring services, or setting advanced registry settings).

However, WiX comes with a few notable challenges:

• It takes a while to learn it: WiX is not so user-friendly and requires developers to work directly with XML and often write code to implement every feature. This means that you need coding knowledge to create even basic features from scratch.
• Feature Implementation Costs: As we mentioned, all of the advanced features (such as custom dialogs, licensing, and updates) need to be manually implemented. This translates into higher development costs, both in terms of time and effort, especially when compared to commercial solutions that offer built‐in capabilities.
• Support Considerations: WiX has a community-driven support model. Dedicated support can be costly, which might be a problem for organizations that require more specific assistance.

WiX is a powerful and flexible installer tool suitable for developers who need a high degree of customization and are comfortable with its code-centric approach.

However, if you’re looking for a tool that speeds up development with built-in features and offers more intuitive support options, you could explore commercial alternatives.

Check out this comprehensive section that presents WiX: Advanced Installer #1 alternative to the WiX Toolset.

Inno Setup

Inno Setup is a popular free installer tool for Windows that uses a Pascal-based scripting language to define and control the installation process.

• Just like NSIS, it requires scripting, but its language is considered more accessible and easier to understand, especially for developers familiar with Delphi or Pascal.
• Inno Setup comes with a wizard and supportive GUI editors, so the creation of installer packages is easier.
• However, Inno Setup is not a choice if you need advanced features since these will have to be manually implemented.

Important! Inno Setup can only create EXE packages. If your application is developed for an enterprise environment, we recommend MSI packaging format.

Check the Advanced Installer #1 alternative to Inno Setup section for a more detailed presentation of Inno Setup.

InstallShield

For a long time, InstallShield was the go-to tool for creating installers. It is a complex tool that comes packed with advanced features like custom dialogs, patch creation, and smooth integration with complex deployment systems.

• Its interface offers plenty of options for those who need a high level of customization and scalability.
• That said, all these features make InstallShield a complex tool that can be harder to learn, can cost more, and can be difficult to use.
• These types of pricy, complex tools are typically used by large teams in enterprise environments.

If you're using InstallShield we recommend this side-by-side feature comparison: InstallShield and Advanced Installer.

Advanced Installer

Today, Advanced Installer is one of the preferred choices for creating complex and reliable installers.

It is a powerful and user-friendly packaging tool that comes loaded with features to make your life easier.

• It offers built-in support for CI/CD,
• Trusted signing is natively supported, including SmartCard and web-authenticated options, which helps secure your applications.
• It handles complex file operations like file removal and the dynamic creation of XML and JSON files.
• The Dialog Editor has great flexibility for you to personalize the UI you need for your installer, ensuring your application looks and feels just the way you want it.
• The Updater seamlessly integrates with your application to keep it current.
• A comprehensive set of predefined custom actions, along with the flexibility to add your own, so you can tailor the installation process to your exact requirements.
• One of the best performance-to-cost ratios in the industry compared to other Windows Installer tools.
• It also offers the best customer support available in the industry.

Depending on the features you need, you should choose between the Professional edition of Advanced Installer or the Enterprise Edition.

That being said, choosing the right packaging tool is not the easiest decision.

• It depends on how complex your application is, on your team members’ expertise, location and working process, and on the deployment environment.
• There are the free tools (like NSIS, WiX, Inno Setup, and Advanced Installer Free Edition) that offer flexibility and are best for developers comfortable with scripting and manual configuration. They also usually come with a learning curve and have little to no built-in support for enterprise features.
• There are the commercial solutions (such as InstallShield and Advanced Installer). They come with intuitive interfaces, advanced capabilities, and various support options. That makes them most suitable for teams looking for scalability, reliability, and faster time to deployment.

If you're looking for a tool that has the best value-price rapport in the industry, with great usability, feature depth, and outstanding professional support, try out Advanced Installer, and you’ll find itis a compelling solution both in its free and commercial editions.