Towncrier
Towncrier: A self-hosted command-line tool for turning project news fragments into changelogs. Ranked #12 of 16 in Release Notes Management Software by our editors (6.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams maintaining fragment-based project changelogs.
At a glance
- Editor score6.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams maintaining fragment-based project changelogs
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Delivery channelsWeb
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Builds changelogs from validated news fragments
- Supports reStructuredText, Markdown, configurable sections, and templates
- Works with Git, Mercurial, and pre-commit
Where it doesn't
- Requires Python to run
- Generates changelog files rather than hosted release-note pages
- Has no audience targeting, approval workflow, or analytics
Our verdict on Towncrier
Towncrier is an open-source command-line utility for teams that maintain project release notes alongside their code. Contributors create small news fragments describing user-facing changes, and Towncrier combines them into a configured changelog file. This fragment-based workflow can help avoid multiple contributors editing the same changelog directly. It is suited to projects that want control over how release notes are assembled, rather than a hosted service for publishing updates to an audience.
The workflow covers fragment creation, validation, and changelog generation. Towncrier supports reStructuredText and Markdown news files, configurable fragment directories and output file names, customizable templates, and sections based on fragment types. It can also generate a draft without finalizing fragments, which supports review before producing the final file. Git, Mercurial, and pre-commit are listed integrations. Towncrier requires Python, though its documentation says projects in other languages can use it when Python-specific features are not needed. Documentation and community are the listed support channels.
Towncrier is free and open source, with self-hosted deployment across Linux, macOS, and Windows described in its documentation. Its scope is deliberately centered on assembling project changelogs: it generates files rather than providing a hosted release-notes publication service. Audience targeting, approval workflows, analytics, and API access are not part of its listed capabilities. Teams seeking a focused fragment workflow and configurable output should consider it; teams that need publishing, audience delivery, or release-note analytics should look for a broader product.
Towncrier pricing
Towncrier fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Delivery channels | Web |
| Audience targeting | No |
| Approval workflow | No |
| Engagement analytics | No |
| Change sources | Manual |
| Custom branding | No |
| API access | No |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: pre-commit, Git, Mercurial |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | towncrier.readthedocs.io |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Towncrier integrations
Towncrier lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- pre-commit
- Git
- Mercurial
Alternatives to Towncrier
- AnnounceKitA multichannel release hub with branded pages, targeting, analytics, and integrations.9.6
- OlvyA free-to-start release publishing platform with widgets, scheduling, imports, and analytics.8.8
- ReleaseNotesA multi-channel release notes tool with a free tier and project-based paid plans.8.4
See all Towncrier alternatives →
Used Towncrier? 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 Towncrier 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
Featured on iTechGuides
Towncrier is listed in our Release Notes Management Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/towncrier/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/towncrier.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes a score or a verdict. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update