frum
frum: A focused, open-source Ruby manager with project pinning and automatic switching. Ranked #17 of 30 in Development Environment Managers by our editors (6.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for cross-platform Ruby version management.
At a glance
- Editor score6.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forCross-platform Ruby version management
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported scopeSingle_language
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports Ruby version management on macOS, Linux, and Windows
- Reads .ruby-version files and switches versions by directory
- Offers OpenSSL, jemalloc, shell integration, and completions
Where it doesn't
- Manages Ruby rather than multiple languages or SDK families
- Does not provide verified CI support
- Requires command-line setup and shell initialization
Our verdict on frum
frum is an open-source command-line Ruby version manager written in Rust. It is designed for developers who need to install, remove, inspect, and select Ruby versions across macOS, Linux, and Windows. Global and project-local version commands let teams control the Ruby version used by a project, while .ruby-version support provides a file-based way to pin that choice. Its scope is intentionally narrow: Ruby management rather than a broader collection of language runtimes or SDKs.
For daily version handling, frum covers the core workflow from installation through selection. It can list installed and available Ruby versions, install specified versions, and uninstall versions that are no longer needed. Automatic directory-change handling applies project-local versions as you move between directories. Bash, Zsh, and Fish shell initialization, along with shell auto-completion, fit command-line workflows. Ruby installation options include OpenSSL and jemalloc, giving users control over parts of the build configuration.
The published installation paths include Homebrew, Cargo, Arch Linux packages, and release binaries. That range supports different operating-system and package-management preferences, although setup remains a command-line task involving shell integration. frum is a strong choice for Ruby-focused developers who want a free, open-source manager with cross-platform support and project pinning. Teams managing several programming languages, SDK families, or CI workflows that require verified CI support should choose a broader or more CI-oriented alternative instead. The latest listed GitHub release is v0.1.2, and the repository documents a current main branch.
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frum pricing
frum fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported scope | Single_language |
| Project version pinning | Yes |
| Lockfile support | Not verified |
| Automatic switching | Yes |
| Shell integration | Yes |
| Operating systems | Cross_platform |
| CI/CD usage | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | macOS, Linux, Windows |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to frum
- devenvA free, open-source environment manager for teams standardizing local work and CI.9.4
- DevboxA free, open-source Nix environment manager for consistent project shells and CI.9.1
- FloxA declarative environment manager with lockfiles, services, sharing, and rollback.8.8
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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