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Head-to-head · Python Package Managers

uv vs conda

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
uv #1 in Python Package Managers —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit uv
conda #4 in Python Package Managers —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit conda

uv leads on 0 checks, conda on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Free planboth

Our editors rank uv at #1 and conda at #4 for python package managers; uv and conda have no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.

uv is the better fit for modern all-in-one Python project management. conda is the better fit for cross-platform Conda package management.

  • uv fits best

    Modern all-in-one Python project management

  • conda fits best

    Cross-platform Conda package management

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Side by side

Feature uv —/10 Visit ↗ conda —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score — —
Ranking #1 in Python Package Managers #4 in Python Package Managers
Best for Modern all-in-one Python project management Cross-platform Conda package management
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features uv 1/5 · conda 1/5
Lockfile support ✓ ✓
Environment management Not published Not published
Package publishing Not published Not published
Private registry Not published Not published
Dependency groups Not published Not published
Specs
Supported platforms Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Universal lockfiles support consistent resolution across macOS, Linux, and Windows
  • Combines environments, Python versions, workspaces, builds, and publishing
  • Supports private indexes, Git and local dependencies, caching, and offline operation
  • Resolves dependencies and platform requirements
  • Creates isolated environments with cloning and rollback
  • Supports native lockfiles, private channels, and offline installation
Cons
  • Its broad scope may be more than users seeking only pip-compatible installation need
  • Cargo-style workspaces are useful mainly for multi-package repositories
  • Additional architectures and operating systems have separate support tiers
  • Uses .conda and .tar.bz2 package formats
  • Channel configuration adds an administrative decision
  • Bundled distributions and repositories may have separate terms
Our verdict

uv is an open-source Python package and project manager from Astral, written in Rust. It is aimed at individual developers and teams that want one tool for dependency resolution, project and virtual-environment management, Python version…

Read the review →

Conda is an open-source, cross-platform, language-agnostic binary package and environment manager. It installs and removes packages, resolves dependencies and platform requirements, and creates isolated environments for Python and other…

Read the review →
  1. uvPython Package Managers —Free plan
  2. condaPython Package Managers —Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • uv — where it wins

    • Universal lockfiles support consistent resolution across macOS, Linux, and Windows
    • Combines environments, Python versions, workspaces, builds, and publishing
    • Supports private indexes, Git and local dependencies, caching, and offline operation

    Where it doesn't

    • Its broad scope may be more than users seeking only pip-compatible installation need
    • Cargo-style workspaces are useful mainly for multi-package repositories
    • Additional architectures and operating systems have separate support tiers
  • conda — where it wins

    • Resolves dependencies and platform requirements
    • Creates isolated environments with cloning and rollback
    • Supports native lockfiles, private channels, and offline installation

    Where it doesn't

    • Uses .conda and .tar.bz2 package formats
    • Channel configuration adds an administrative decision
    • Bundled distributions and repositories may have separate terms
  • uv—/10 · Free plan

    An open-source toolkit for managing modern Python projects from dependencies to publishing.

    Visit uvFull verdict →
  • conda—/10 · Free plan

    An open-source manager for binary packages, dependencies, and isolated environments.

    Visit condaFull verdict →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026