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CPAN Minus

Free#84 of 92 in Package Managers

CPAN Minus: A focused, open-source installer for CPAN modules, dependencies, mirrors, and local Perl libraries. Ranked #84 of 92 in Package Managers by our editors (5.3/10); pricing: Open source; best for perl module installation from CPAN.

5.3/10Editor score

Visit CPAN Minus

CPAN Minus5.3 Visit CPAN Minus

At a glance

Editor score
5.3 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Perl module installation from CPAN
Paid from
Free
Facts checked
21 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Downloads, builds, and installs Perl modules and CPAN distributions
- Automatically resolves and installs distribution dependencies
- Supports mirrors, offline workflows, local libraries, and standalone installation
Where it doesn't
- Focused on Perl and CPAN rather than broader package ecosystems
- Linux is the listed platform
- Requires Perl 5.8.1 or later

Our verdict on CPAN Minus

CPAN Minus, also called cpanm, is an open-source command-line package manager for obtaining, unpacking, building, and installing Perl modules from CPAN. It is aimed at developers and system administrators who need a focused way to install CPAN distributions, package dependencies, or modules from a local distribution. The package formats include Perl modules, CPAN distributions, and tar.gz archives. The published platform information lists Linux, with Perl 5.8.1 or later as a requirement.

Its strongest fit is the Perl and CPAN ecosystem. CPAN Minus can download distributions, unpack them, build Perl distributions, and install the resulting modules. It also automatically installs distribution dependencies, and it can install dependencies for a local distribution. Mirror support extends to configured CPAN mirrors and local mirrors, while offline installation supports workflows where packages must be obtained or installed without relying on a live network connection. These capabilities make it more than a simple download command, while keeping its scope centered on Perl package management.

Setup is deliberately lightweight: the project is designed to require no configuration and is distributed as a standalone executable. Installation can target system or user-controlled Perl library paths, including local Perl library locations, which gives teams flexibility when they do not want to modify a system-wide Perl installation. Choose CPAN Minus when your work centers on installing Perl modules from CPAN and you value dependency handling, mirror support, local-library installation, or standalone use. Choose another package manager when you need a broader multi-language ecosystem or a platform offering beyond the listed Linux environment.

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

CPAN Minus pricing

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

See plans on github.com

CPAN Minus fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Package formats	Perl modules, CPAN distributions, tar.gz archives
Supported platforms	Perl 5.8.1 or later
Dependency resolution	Yes
Lockfile support	Not verified
Workspace support	Not verified
Private registry auth	Not verified
Offline installation	Yes
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Linux
Support	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Open source
Website	github.com
Facts checked	21 Sep 2026

Alternatives to CPAN Minus

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update