Package managers for Windows and macOS: winget, Chocolatey and Homebrew

In short: Package managers install, update and remove programs by command; they save clicks, avoid unsafe download sites and make setups reproducible.

In more detail: Linux users have known them for a long time (apt, dnf). On Windows and macOS there are also package managers that fetch programs from a source (repository) instead of loading them manually from websites.

In Depth

Windows: winget, Chocolatey, Scoop

• winget (Windows Package Manager, included in Windows 10/11):

winget search firefox
winget install Mozilla.Firefox
winget upgrade --all
winget uninstall Mozilla.Firefox

• Chocolatey: older, very large offering, also for corporate deployment.
• Scoop: without admin rights, ideal for developer tools (installs to ~\scoop). The Microsoft Store is also a source of programs.

macOS: Homebrew

brew install git        # command-line program
brew install --cask firefox   # program with GUI
brew update && brew upgrade
brew list
brew uninstall git

Homebrew is the most used package manager for the Mac. With a Brewfile (brew bundle) the set of all programs can be saved and restored on a new computer. Alternatives: MacPorts, Nix.

Advantages

• Update with one command (security!).
• Packages come from a controlled source, which avoids fake downloads with malware.
• Scripts and documentation: a list of install commands sets up a new computer in minutes (important for training, companies, developer setups).
• Dependencies are installed along.

Notes

Package managers are also only as safe as their source; check the publisher and use official packages. For critical systems pin versions. On Windows start with admin rights only when necessary. Linux counterparts: apt, dnf, pacman, Flatpak.

See also: Flatpak, Snap and AppImage, DNF and RPM, pacman and AUR, Installing updates