Run apps without installing them.

Decentralized. Open source. Works on Windows, Linux and macOS.

Examples

0install run https://apps.0install.net/gui/vs-code.xml

Try Visual Studio Code without installing it.

0install add go https://apps.0install.net/golang/go.xml

Make go available as a command, kept up to date automatically.

0install run --version=26.9.0 https://apps.0install.net/javascript/node.xml

Need a specific Node.js for one project? Run it alongside your current one.

Why use it?

No admin rights needed

Use the tools you need on a locked-down work or university PC. Everything stays within your user account.
Any version, side by side

Run two versions of Node.js or the JDK at the same time and pin a version per project, without extra version managers.
Nothing left behind

Apps live in a cache instead of system directories. Trying one is risk-free and removing it is clean.

	Zero Install	APT / DNF	Flatpak	winget	Scoop	Homebrew
Run apps without installing them	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Non-admins can install software	Yes	No	Yes	Some	Yes	Yes
Supports multiple platforms	Yes	Linux	Linux	Windows	Windows	macOS and Linux
Multiple versions coexist	Yes	No	Runtimes	No	Switchable	Some
Decentralized	Yes	Extra repos	Remotes	Extra sources	Buckets	Taps
Digital signatures	Yes	Yes	Yes	Hashes	Hashes	Hashes
Can install systems software	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No

Look up the app

Each app is identified by a URL. Behind it is a file signed by the publisher, listing versions and dependencies.
Pick versions

Zero Install picks versions of the app and its dependencies that fit your OS and CPU.
Download and verify

Downloads are checked against the signed file and stored in a cache, where apps share common dependencies.
Run

The app starts straight from the cache. Nothing is written to system directories.

Publish from your own website. You keep control of your releases and users get updates automatically.