Cabal
Cabal: A focused open-source toolchain for building and managing Haskell projects. Ranked #28 of 92 in Package Managers by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for haskell multi-package projects.
At a glance
- Editor score6.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forHaskell multi-package projects
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Lockfile supportYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Automatically resolves and installs declared package dependencies
- Supports multi-package projects with cabal.project files
- Freezes dependencies and supports offline builds
Where it doesn't
- Focused on Haskell rather than general-purpose package management
- No AI-assisted features are provided
- Its workflow centers on Cabal package descriptions and source tarballs
Our verdict on Cabal
Cabal is an open-source package system and command-line tool for Haskell software. It helps developers define, configure, build, test, install, and distribute Haskell libraries and executable programs. Its strongest fit is Haskell multi-package development, where dependency management, reproducibility, and project-wide configuration matter. Cabal supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and FreeBSD through the Haskell toolchain.
Cabal’s project model covers local packages, remote archives, source repositories, and Hackage, with automatic installation of declared dependencies. Multi-package projects are managed through cabal.project files, while dependency freezes record versions and solver-selected flags for more reproducible builds. Offline operation is also supported: offline builds refuse remote package downloads. These capabilities make Cabal a practical choice for teams that need a defined, repeatable workflow across package resolution and builds.
The tool also extends beyond compilation with Haddock documentation, tests, benchmarks, and .tar.gz source distributions. Its ecosystem fit includes Hackage, GHC, GHCup, and Git, giving Haskell projects a connected path from compiler setup through package distribution. Cabal is a strong choice for developers building Haskell libraries, executables, or multi-package projects who want open-source tooling with dependency solving and version freezing. Projects outside Haskell, or teams seeking a general-purpose package manager or AI-assisted workflow, should choose a tool aligned with those requirements instead.
Your product? Our editors can test Cabal in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Cabal pricing
Cabal fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Package formats | .cabal files; .tar.gz source distributions; RPM; Debian packages; Windows installers |
| Supported platforms | Linux; macOS; FreeBSD; Windows |
| Dependency resolution | Yes |
| Lockfile support | Yes |
| Workspace support | Yes |
| Private registry auth | Not verified |
| Offline installation | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Hackage, GHC, ghcup |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | haskell.org |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Cabal integrations
Cabal lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Hackage
- GHC
- ghcup
Alternatives to Cabal
- npmA complete JavaScript package workflow with public access free and private packages at $7/month.9.4
- uvA broad, open-source toolkit for managing modern Python projects across three platforms.9.2
- YarnA capable JavaScript package manager for consistent installs and monorepositories.9.0
Used Cabal? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Cabal for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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