GNU Make Alternatives

GNU Make is described as 'Make is a tool which controls the generation of executables and other non-source files of a program from the program's source files' and is an app in the development category. There are more than 25 alternatives to GNU Make for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, BSD and Haiku. The best alternative is CMake, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like GNU Make are Maven, SCons, Ninja Build and Gradle.

This page was last updated

GNU Make

Free • Open Source

Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Cygwin

Make is a tool which controls the generation of executables and other non-source files of a program from the program's...

Learn more about GNU Make

CMake
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
Haiku
38 alternatives to CMake
CMake is a family of tools designed to build, test and package software. CMake is used to control the software compilation process using simple platform and compiler independent configuration files. CMake generates native makefiles and workspaces that can be used in the compiler...
Suggest and vote on features
CMake Features
Build automation
C++ support
Build system
C support
Maven
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
26 alternatives to Maven
Apache Maven is a Java-based tool for build automation and project management (in software development). It is centered around a Project Object Model (POM) described in a XML file that describes the project structure and its dependencies to other components and libraries.
Suggest and vote on features
Maven Features
C++ support
Build automation
Build system
SCons
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
35 alternatives to SCons
SCons is an Open Source software construction tool—that is, a next-generation build tool. Think of SCons as an improved, cross-platform substitute for the classic Make utility with integrated functionality similar to autoconf/automake and compiler caches such as ccache.
Suggest and vote on features
SCons Features
Build automation
Add a screenshot
Ninja Build
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
16 alternatives to Ninja Build
Ninja is a small build system with a focus on speed. It differs from other build systems in two major respects: it is designed to have its input files generated by a higher-level build system, and it is designed to run builds as fast as possible.
Suggest and vote on features
Ninja Build Features
Optimized for Fastboot mode
Build automation
Add a screenshot

Ninja Build vs GNU Make opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
krishvk
Simpler syntax and easy to generate
Positive comment•
0
Gradle
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
25 alternatives to Gradle
Gradle is build automation evolved. Gradle can automate the building, testing, publishing, deployment and more of software packages or other types of projects such as generated static websites, generated documentation or indeed anything else.
Suggest and vote on features
Gradle Features
Build system
Add a screenshot
Premake
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
19 alternatives to Premake
Powerfully simple build configuration

Describe your software project just once, using Premake's simple and easy to read syntax, and build it everywhere. Generate project files for Visual Studio, GNU Make, Xcode, Code::Blocks, and more across Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Use.
Suggest and vote on features
Premake Features
1. PortablePremake can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Build automation
Add a screenshot
CheckInstall
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
4 alternatives to CheckInstall
CheckInstall is a Linux program which eases installation & uninstallation of software compiled from source. After software compilation it can automatically generate a Slackware, RPM, or Debian-compatible package that can later be cleanly uninstalled.

CheckInstall has no features, suggest some!
Add a screenshot
Meson
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
17 alternatives to Meson
The main design point of Meson is that every moment a developer spends writing or debugging build definitions is a second wasted. So is every second spent waiting for the build system to actually start compiling code.
Suggest and vote on features
Meson Features
C support
C++ support
C++
Rust
Build system
Add a screenshot
Autoconf
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
19 alternatives to Autoconf
GNU Autoconf is a tool for producing configure scripts for building, installing and packaging software on computer systems where a Bourne shell is available.
Suggest and vote on features
Autoconf Features
Build automation
Ant
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
32 alternatives to Ant
Apache Ant is an Open Source Java-based build tool (for software development). It uses XML files to describe, structure and control the build process. Most actions are described as 'Tasks' - Ant offers a library of built-in Tasks, but various 3rd party Tasks and Task...

Ant has no features, suggest some!
Add a screenshot

Showing 10 of 35 alternatives

CMake Features

Maven Features

SCons Features

Ninja Build Features

Ninja Build vs GNU Make opinions

Gradle Features

Premake Features

Meson Features

Autoconf Features