Packaging Python Apps as Standalone Distributables
Parent: Programming Languages · researched 2026-06-02T18:08:45.971Z· 6 sources · 7 concepts · skill python-app-packaging
Children
- Distribution spectrum (needs-Python vs bundled-interpreter vs compiled) (frontier)
- zipapp / shiv / pex (self-contained zipapps, target needs Python) (frontier)
- PyInstaller (bundles interpreter, onefile vs onedir, hidden imports, hooks) (frontier)
- Nuitka (compiles to C/native, 2-4x perf, standalone/onefile) (frontier)
- GUI/mobile & single-binary (Briefcase/BeeWare, cx_Freeze, PyOxidizer) (frontier)
- Cross-platform realities (no cross-compile, antivirus/signing/notarization) (frontier)
- Pitfalls (hidden imports, data files via importlib.resources, size, startup cost) (frontier)
Frontier under this node: Cross-platform realities (no cross-compile, antivirus/signing/notarization), Distribution spectrum (needs-Python vs bundled-interpreter vs compiled), GUI/mobile & single-binary (Briefcase/BeeWare, cx_Freeze, PyOxidizer), Nuitka (compiles to C/native, 2-4x perf, standalone/onefile), Pitfalls (hidden imports, data files via importlib.resources, size, startup cost), PyInstaller (bundles interpreter, onefile vs onedir, hidden imports, hooks), zipapp / shiv / pex (self-contained zipapps, target needs Python)