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An open-source community system for compiling, installing, and upgrading command-line, X11 or Aqua based open-source software on OS X.
SpecsUpdate
requires sudoyes
Supports Apple SiliconYes
Pros
Pro Nice variants system
MacPorts has a variants system that allows customizing builds with author provided options.
Know any positive aspects of this option?
Cons
Con New Packages and Updates take time
Macports isn't the first choice for developers producing new packages or binaries for macOS. Nor is it the fastest in getting updates. But in general, it usually is one of the most up to date and will be updated eventually. Some would see this as a con in comparison to Homebrew.
Con Downloads unneeded libraries duplicating functionality already provided by Apple's libraries
As MacPorts eschews Apple-supplied libraries and links sources against its own a large duplication of functionality across MacPorts and Apple libraries can be found.
Know any negative aspects of this option?
Recommendations
MacPorts
Recommended 8 months ago
Macports is solid. Homebrew is Macports slovenly hipster cousin. Having used both with a background in RPM, DEB managed systems, Macports makes the most sense. I'm not sure exactly what's going on with Homebrew under the covers, whereas the Macports approach seems clean and recognizable. Why rena...
Pro
Easy to useMacPorts
Recommended 6 years ago
I recommend MacPorts over Homebrew because it has always been reliable and consistent.
Pro
Generally very up to datePro
Provides a consistent experience across OS X versions Pro
Nice variants systemCon
Downloads unneeded libraries duplicating functionality already provided by Apple's librariesPro
FastPro
MacPorts is a native application: C + TCLPro
Has many more packages than its competitorsPro
Requires SUDO to install appsPro
Most of the available packages workMacPorts
Recommended 3 years ago
Having used Homebrew and Pkgsrc, I always come back to MacPorts. It is the best IMO and was initially developed by Apple in house; by an Apple employee, who happens to be the same person that created the awesome FreeBSD ports system. Having to use sudo for installing software is a huge plus for me and adhe...
Con
Bad at limiting dependenciesPro
Generally very up to datePro
Provides a consistent experience across OS X versions Pro
Nice variants systemCon
Downloads unneeded libraries duplicating functionality already provided by Apple's librariesPro
FastPro
MacPorts is a native application: C + TCLPro
Has many more packages than its competitorsCon
Requires root permissions (sudo) for installation of packagesPro
Requires SUDO to install appsPro
Most of the available packages workPro
Download libraries instead of relying on Apple's capricesPro
Great support for older systemsPro
Easy to usePro
More packages than competitionPro
Apple Silicon ReadyPro
Initially started and developed by Apple employees and supported by Apple itselfCon
New Packages and Updates take timeMacPorts
Recommended 4 years ago
Not as easy to use for command-line newbies as Homebrew, but it's worth the effort because the software you install is more likely to work.
Pro
Generally very up to datePro
Provides a consistent experience across OS X versions Pro
Nice variants systemPro
FastPro
MacPorts is a native application: C + TCLPro
Has many more packages than its competitorsPro
Requires SUDO to install appsPro
Most of the available packages workPro
Download libraries instead of relying on Apple's capricesPro
Great support for older systemsPro
Easy to useMacPorts
Recommended 4 months ago
Pro
Provides a consistent experience across OS X versions Pro
Easy to use