electron-packager

At a glance

• Editor score
  6.0 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Simple free Electron application bundling
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Output formats
  .app, .exe, platform-specific application bundles
• Facts checked
  20 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Free and open-source with Windows, macOS, and Linux bundles
  • Supports x64, arm64, universal, and mips64el architectures
  • Offers CLI, JavaScript API, ASAR, ignores, and dependency pruning

• Where it doesn't

  • Installer and Linux package creation require separate Electron tools
  • Auto-update support is not included
  • Focused on application bundles rather than broader publishing workflows

Our verdict on electron-packager

Electron Packager is an open-source Node.js library and command-line tool for bundling Electron application source code with a renamed or customized Electron executable and supporting files. It creates Windows, macOS, and Linux application bundles, including .app, .exe, and platform-specific outputs. Developers can run it through npx or the electron-packager command, or integrate it through the JavaScript library API. It is aimed at teams that need straightforward Electron bundle generation rather than a complete installer and release system.

The pricing model is direct: Electron Packager is free and open source, with no paid tiers to compare. Its packaging options cover multiple target architectures, including x64, arm64, universal, and mips64el. Optional ASAR source archiving can organize application files, while ignore patterns control which files are excluded. Development dependencies are pruned from packaged bundles by default, helping keep the output focused on runtime files. The project is now documented under the scoped @electron/packager package name rather than the former electron-packager package name.

Its boundary is important when planning a distribution workflow. Electron Packager produces application bundles, while installer creation and Linux package generation are handled through separate Electron tools. Auto-update support is also outside the product's listed capabilities. Choose it when the primary requirement is free, scriptable packaging across Windows, macOS, and Linux, with architecture and file-selection controls. Choose a broader Electron release toolchain instead when installers, Linux packages, publishing workflows, or updates need to be part of the same solution.

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

electron-packager pricing

electron-packager fact sheet

Alternatives to electron-packager

• electron-builderA broad Electron release toolkit covering builds, updates, signing, publishing, and CI/CD.9.4
• Advanced InstallerA broad Windows packaging suite for teams managing installers, updates, and deployment automation.9.2
• install4jA capable choice for Java publishers shipping signed installers across major desktop platforms.9.0

See all electron-packager alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

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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