SCons Alternatives

SCons is described as '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' and is an app in the development category. There are more than 25 alternatives to SCons for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, BSD and Android apps. The best SCons alternative is CMake, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like SCons are GNU Make, Maven, Gradle and LazFuck.

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SCons alternatives are mainly Build Systems but may also be Task Automation Apps. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of SCons.

SCons

Free • Open Source

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...

More about SCons

SCons alternatives page was last updated Sep 4, 2024

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...
40 CMake alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Build System
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Haiku
CMake Features
Build automation
C++ support
C support
Show all NaN CMake features ▾
CMake VS SCons
Is CMake a good alternative to SCons?
- CMake is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to SCons.
- CMake is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to SCons.
- CMake is Free and Open SourceSCons is also Free and Open Source

GNU Make
Make is a tool which controls the generation of executables and other non-source files of a program from the program's source files.
37 GNU Make alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Cygwin
GNU Make Features
Build automation
Show all NaN GNU Make features ▾
GNU Make VS SCons
Is GNU Make a good alternative to SCons?

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.
29 Maven alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Build System
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Maven Features
C++ support
Build automation
Show all NaN Maven features ▾
Maven VS SCons
Is Maven a good alternative to SCons?

Gradle
Gradle is a build tool with a focus on build automation and support for multi-language development. If you are building, testing, publishing, and deploying software on any platform, Gradle offers a flexible model that can support the entire development lifecycle from compiling...
27 Gradle alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Build System
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Snapcraft
- Android Studio
- Eclipse
- IntelliJ IDEA
- Java
- Apache NetBeans
Gradle Features
1. Ad-free
2. Build automation
3. Continuous Integration
4. Java based
5. Continuous Deployment
Show all NaN Gradle features ▾
Gradle VS SCons
Is Gradle a good alternative to SCons?

LazFuck
LazFuck is a GUI application for writing, executing, compiling and debugging programs written in famous BrainFuck esoteric programming language.
40 LazFuck alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
- Flatpak
- Snapcraft
LazFuck Features
1. Works Offline
2. Dark Mode
3. Ad-free
4. Debugging
5. Interpreter
Show all NaN LazFuck features ▾
LazFuck VS SCons
Is LazFuck a good alternative to SCons?

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...
34 Ant alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Ant VS SCons
Is Ant a good alternative to SCons?

MSBuild
The Microsoft Build Engine is a platform for building applications. This engine, which is also known as MSBuild, provides an XML schema for a project file that controls how the build platform processes and builds software.
10 MSBuild alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
MSBuild Features
C++
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MSBuild VS SCons
Is MSBuild a good alternative to SCons?

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.
18 Ninja Build alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
Ninja Build Features
Optimized for Fastboot mode
Build automation
Show all NaN Ninja Build features ▾
Ninja Build VS SCons
Is Ninja Build a good alternative to SCons?

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.
21 Premake alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Premake Features
Portable
Build automation
Show all NaN Premake features ▾
Premake VS SCons
Is Premake a good alternative to SCons?

pypyr
pypyr is an open source task-runner for automation pipelines. pypyr lets you script sequential tasks in a simple yaml format with conditional execution, loops, error handling and retries for any step in your pipeline.
28 pypyr alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Task Automation App
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
pypyr Features
Continuous Integration
Continuous Deployment
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pypyr VS SCons
Is pypyr a good alternative to SCons?

Rake
Rake is a software task management and build automation tool. It allows you to specify tasks and describe dependencies as well as to group tasks in a namespace.
28 Rake alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Build System
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
Rake Features
Portable
Ruby
Build automation
Show all NaN Rake features ▾
Rake VS SCons
Is Rake a good alternative to SCons?

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.
21 Autoconf alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Linux
Autoconf Features
Build automation
Show all NaN Autoconf features ▾
Autoconf VS SCons
Is Autoconf a good alternative to SCons?