How it works
Each system has its own formats. Windows uses .exe setup programs (built with NSIS or Inno Setup), MSI packages (often built with WiX) and the newer MSIX. On macOS the norm is a .dmg disk image that the user drags into Applications, or a .pkg installer for anything that needs system-level setup. Linux has .deb (Debian, Ubuntu), .rpm (Fedora, Red Hat) and the distribution-neutral AppImage, Flatpak and Snap.
Framework tools produce most of these for you: the Tauri bundler makes MSI, NSIS, DMG, deb, rpm and AppImage files, and electron-builder or Electron Forge cover Electron. Package managers and stores such as winget on Windows, Homebrew on macOS and Flathub on Linux let users install without hunting for a download. Installers for Windows and macOS need code signing, or the system warns users away.
Installers pricing
Open source
Mostly free: NSIS, electron-builder and the Tauri bundler are open source. Inno Setup asks commercial users to buy a licence, and WiX (from v6) charges companies earning over $10,000 a year a maintenance fee.
Installers pricing page (opens in a new tab)Approximate, checked September 2026.What the other tools cost
Related terms
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