This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them

Period

–Visits

–Page views

–Clicks to vendors

–Time on page

–Reading now

Clicks to vendors, by tool

Top countries

Devices

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

chruby

Free#26 of 30 in Development Environment ManagersRuntime Version Managers

chruby: A focused, lightweight choice for switching among installed Ruby versions on Unix. Ranked #26 of 30 in Development Environment Managers by our editors (6.0/10); pricing: Open source; best for minimal Ruby switching on Unix.

6.0/10Editor score

Visit chruby

chruby6.0 Visit chruby

At a glance

Editor score
6.0 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Minimal Ruby switching on Unix
Paid from
Free
Supported scope
Single_language
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Switches among installed Ruby implementations with fuzzy name matching
- Supports automatic switching through project .ruby-version files
- Integrates with Bash and Zsh and includes chruby-exec
Where it doesn't
- Does not install Ruby runtimes
- Supports only Ruby-focused version management
- Limited to macOS and Linux

Our verdict on chruby

chruby is an open-source command-line tool for developers who manage multiple Ruby implementations on macOS or Linux. It switches among installed versions, including Ruby, JRuby, Rubinius and MagLev, while updating PATH, RubyGems bin directories, GEM_HOME and GEM_PATH. Its scope is intentionally narrow: it handles Ruby environment switching rather than runtime installation, making it a fit for users who already have the implementations they need.

The workflow centers on shell integration and project-level selection. chruby works with Bash and Zsh, supports manual switching, and can optionally switch automatically when a project contains a .ruby-version file. Fuzzy Ruby-name matching reduces the need to enter full implementation names, while chruby-exec runs a command under a selected Ruby. These features suit local development workflows where project pinning, shell environment updates and quick version changes matter more than a broader language-management system.

The main trade-off is its focused design. chruby does not install runtimes, so setup depends on having Ruby implementations available through another process. It is also limited to macOS and Linux, which narrows its fit for teams working across other operating systems. Choose chruby when you want a lightweight Ruby switcher with optional automatic selection and direct Bash or Zsh integration. Choose an alternative when runtime installation, broader language coverage or support beyond macOS and Linux is central to your workflow.

Your product? Our editors can test chruby in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

chruby pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on github.com

chruby fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Supported scope	Single_language
Project version pinning	Yes
Lockfile support	Yes
Automatic switching	Yes
Shell integration	Yes
Operating systems	Cross_platform
CI/CD usage	Not verified
Deployment	Self-hosted
Platforms	macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Open source
Website	github.com
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to chruby

See all chruby alternatives →

Also Ranked In

chruby is ranked in 2 of our directories.

#26Runtime Version Managers30 tools ranked

Used chruby? 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 chruby 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.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Title

Your review

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Pros (optional · one per line)

Cons (optional · one per line)

Your name (shown with your review)

Role (optional)

Company (optional)

How long have you used it?

I've used chruby myself and this is my honest opinion — nobody paid or asked me to write it.

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

chruby is listed in our Development Environment Managers directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/chruby/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/chruby.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update