Packer Alternatives

Yaourt (Yet Another User Repository Tool) is a package management program based on a command-line interface that tracks packages on the Linux operating system. Yaourt is compatible with Pacman, which is the official Arch Linux distribution package manager. Features include grouped search that can be done in AUR and Pacman repositories, result display with color indication of already installed programs. You can install packages from AUR and repositories from the same command. It has an interactive search mode that can search packages by entering their numbers and install them right away. You can install programs from sources by using srcpac and remove unwanted packages.

It can backup and restore packages from local machines in a server. Statistics are also shown on the interface like no. of packages installed, removed, and packages currently running in the background. The program is open-source, and you can get the source code if you are a developer.

Yay (Yet Another Yogurt) is a file managing program for Linux operating system. It is a direct alternative to Yaourt that has been discontinued in favor of Yay. The program is written in Go language, made as an AUR helper with few dependencies and minimal user input. The performance is as good as Pacman helper and has a better search engine with improved package install capability. Yay allows you to locate matching package providers, download PKGBUILDs from AUR and TAB completed files.

The update option for packages is also available directly from the command line. Other features include performing advanced dependency solving, query users upfront for all Input-only prior to starting builds. Filter the search results that narrow the results, e.g., in ‘Linux header’, the Linux will be prioritized, and then the search will be narrowed to the header. It does not display colored results that is a kind of con because you will find difficulty in differentiating between a long list.

Paru is an Arch User Repository helper that manages builds and packages for Linux OS. It comes with a lot of features and minimal user interaction. Colored search can be enabled from the settings that make it easier to refine search results. Offers advanced review process with search results flipping options like search starts from the bottom and go upwards. You can write command to install a specific package, multiple packages at once, upgrade an AUR package, or print the available updates.

Paru is based on Yay AUR helper with the only difference in language in which it is coded. Paru is written in Rust, while Yay is written in Go. It has an actual configuration file with the syntax similar to Pacman, but as Paru takes much longer to compile, it would be meaningful to run on a less powerful machine. For advanced users, Paru can be used to edit packages from repositories directly into the program, though it needs some advanced level skills.

Trizen is a command-line-based, lightweight AUR package manager for Linux OS. It is written in Perl language, which is better than Go. A direct alternative to Yay, Packer, Yaourt, and Pacaur, Trizen AUR Package Manage offers features like installing the packages from the AUR repository, search support for AUR packages with result filtering, reading AUR comments, and reviews from the repository, ad recursive resolving of AUR dependencies.

It has integration and can directly interact with Pacman. Edit support for text files, Input and output support for UTF-8 encoding, and colored search results system are some other features of Trizen.

Pacaur is an Arch User Repository helper that is designed to minimize user interaction with speedy operations. Pacaur is a direct alternative to Yay that is aimed at advanced users with an uncluttered interface and the use of a fully secured Remote Procedure Call (RPC) for solving dependency trees. You must be familiar with the manual AUR build process, configuration process, and gpg configuration for automation of repetitive tasks in order to operate Pacaur.

Pacaur can install packages from official and AUR repositories. One advantage of using Pacaur over its alternatives is that it is based on the syntax of Pacman, so you do not need to memorize the commands if you are a Pacman user.

Pikaur is an AUR helper with minimal dependencies that is built to operate without user interaction. It is a direct alternative to Pacaur, Yay, and yaourt. You can review all PKGBUILDs at a time and build them without user interaction. Rather than being smarter than Pacman, it tells Pacman what to do. It runs on the same syntax codes as Pacman and wraps all Pacman options accurately except for “-Syu” which has been split into “-Sy” and “-Sy”. If any question or command is out of its understanding, the user can answer it manually.

You can build local PKGBUILDs with AUR deps and retrieve those packages from AUR and ABS. Common build problems like untrusted GPG key, wrong architecture build, or checksum mismatch can be handled and fixed by Pikaur. It uses system dynamic users while building packages as root users. Quickly search and install the package by one command, “pikaur <search-query>”. You can also select manual packages from the install prompt using a text editor.

Pamac is an advanced AUR helper for Linux OS. It is an alternative to Pacaur, Pikaur, Yay, but the biggest advantage over other helpers is the GUI that helps in doing certain tasks with a mouse, and no terminal commands are required to type. It is specifically made to use with Pacman. It makes finding and installing packages on the computer way easier than other AUR helpers. Checking for updates, installing selected or all packages at once, and uninstalling unwanted packages are some of its features.

The UI consist of 6 Category tabs. Groups section is for installing from specific groups like gnome, base, etc. Repositories section for specific repository search results like Core, community, and extra. Other sections are, Installed, Updates, and Pending section. The main advantage of having a GUI interface is that the details of every package, like size, version, and status, are organized. Pamac gives you access to the official Arch Repository and community-driven AUR library.

Pakku is a Pacman wrapper for Linux that you can use as an AUR helper. It is an alternative to Yay, Pikaur, Pamac, etc., with some additional features. Pakku has a Pacman-like user interface, and options like “—asdeps” and “–needed”. It also has support for Pacman configuration like output settings and ignored packages. You can also do a manual installation of packages from Arch User Repository, view files, and change between builds.

You can build packages by yourself from official repositories and remove dependencies after building. Search filters are also available, along with the details and community comments on the package performance. One con is that it does not allow PKGBUILD sourcing. The program is open source with source code available for modification.

Aurutils is a tool that manages package files from Arch User Repository. Made for Linux OS, it is aimed to help with Pacman in which all the AUR packages are added. Those packages can be managed by the Pacman itself. The difference between Aurutils and its alternative Yay is that Aurutils is a package downloader and builder while Yay is a Pacman wrapper. Aurutils is a superior helper as it creates a local repository that can be used to search from a new computer without having to build the repository again.

Aurutils keeps a separate cache folder with all the source files and downloads in that folder. A git repository folder is also available to use git to clean the big file cache but keep the PKGBUILD repository. Additional features are searching the package, building it, installing or removing the packages.