Can’t decide between Microsoft MSIX Packaging Tool,
Advanced
Installer Express, and Advanced Installer Architect?
All of the above are authoring tools that enable MSIX technology. Over and above the other two, Advanced Installer Architect is the only one that enhances MSIX technology.
If you need a side-by-side feature comparison this page is for you.
Each tool can be used in different situations:
MSIX Packaging Tool
A free tool to test the conversion to an MSIX package
Advanced Installer Express
Offers a rich GUI to create, convert, compare MSIX packages
Advanced Installer Architect
Is a mature product developed to support/address the complex, dynamic packaging effort in the enterprise environment
Microsoft MSIX Packaging Tool | Advanced Installer Express Free download | Advanced Installer Architect Free 30-day trial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Differentiators | |||
MSIX converter | |||
Converter engine integration with
Hyper-V or VMware | |||
Dedicated GUI for editing
package/project contents | extremely limited | Rich GUI | Rich GUI |
Project-based package management -
Reload, edit and rebuild your MSIX package in
seconds | |||
Command line interface for project
editing/maintenance | |||
Create MSIX package from scratch
(for in-house applications) | |||
PSF Integration (Package Support
Framework) | (partial) | ||
Automatic PSF fixups | |||
Shortcuts Arguments & WorkinDir
easily configurable from the GUI | |||
AppData - automatic redirection to
PackageCache folder | |||
Smart Package Manifest Editor | |||
MSIX Comparison tool | |||
MSIX Dependencies | |||
Automatic .AppInstaller
Generation | |||
Generate MSIX Bundles | |||
MSIX Package Editor with dedicated
GUI | |||
Create MSIX Modification
Packages | |||
MSIX Modification Packages Editor
with dedicated GUI | |||
Create MSIX Optional Packages | |||
Build MSIX & MSI & App-V
from a single project | |||
MSI & App-V Editor with
dedicated GUI | |||
Visual Studio Integration | |||
Azure DevsOps Integration | |||
UWP Package editor (i.e.: MSIX
package for native UWP apps) | |||
| Pricing & Licensing | |||
Price | Free | Free | Paid |
Licensing | Perpetual | Perpetual | Perpetual plus first-year Maintenance included |
Updates schedule | Quarterly | Quarterly | Monthly |
Learning Curve | Lots of manual editing in areas without a dedicated GUI - error prone. | Intuitive, easy to use also by beginners. | Intuitive, easy to use also by beginners. |
Customer
Support | Standard | Limited based on availability and Forum | 24h responsive time |
