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avro-python3

Avro is a serialization and RPC framework.

avro-python3 v1.10.2 11.9M downloads/30d#1,356 on PyPI
Permissive license Apache License 2.0 Abandoned released

What it is and what it does

avro-python3 is a Python implementation of Apache Avro, a data serialization system that combines a compact binary format with schema-driven encoding and decoding. It enables you to serialize Python objects into Avro's binary format and deserialize them back, making it useful for data interchange between systems, RPC communication, and storage. The package has no runtime dependencies beyond Python itself.

However, this package is abandoned and has not been updated since March 2021. The maintainers explicitly recommend using the maintained 'avro' package instead, which has full support for recent Python versions. Installing avro-python3 requires building from source (high install friction), and you will receive no further updates or security patches.

Use it for:

  • Deserialize legacy Avro data written by older systems still using avro-python3.
  • Prototype or test Avro serialization in environments where the maintained 'avro' package is unavailable.
  • Integrate with existing codebases that are locked to avro-python3 and cannot yet migrate.
  • Evaluate Avro's schema-based serialization model before committing to a maintained implementation.

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

Serializes and deserializes data in Apache Avro format, a binary schema-based serialization system for data interchange and RPC.

No. The package is abandoned (last release March 2021, 1976 days ago) and explicitly deprecated in favor of the maintained 'avro' package. High install friction (source distribution) combined with no ongoing maintenance makes it unsuitable for new projects. Install 'avro' instead unless you have a specific legacy integration requirement.

Install

avro-python3 on PyPI

pip

pip install avro-python3

uv

uv add avro-python3

poetry

poetry add avro-python3

Installing avro-python3

Before you install

High install friction due to source distribution. Package is abandoned as of 1976 days ago; the maintainers explicitly recommend migrating to the maintained 'avro' package instead.

License in practice

Licensed under Apache License 2.0 (permissive), allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, though you should review LICENSE.txt and NOTICE.txt included in the package.

Quickstart

pip install avro-python3==1.10.2

import avro.schema
import avro.io

schema = avro.schema.parse('{"type": "record", "name": "Test", "fields": [{"name": "field", "type": "string"}]}')
writer = avro.io.DatumWriter(schema)

Package is abandoned and no longer maintained; official recommendation is to use the 'avro' package instead for ongoing support.

Verify before relying

  • Compatibility with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list only up to 3.8, but 'supports_current' flag suggests broader support).
  • Whether the source distribution (tar.gz) requires build tools or system dependencies beyond standard Python development headers.

Package facts

License Apache License 2.0 (permissive)
Python support supports the current Python release (>=3.5)
Install friction high — source build required
Runtime dependencies none
Maintenance abandoned — 1,976 days since the last release
First released
Downloads 11,855,901/month — #1,356 on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-14)
Known vulnerabilities none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14)

Evidence: avro-python3-1.10.2.tar.gz

Keywords: avro, serialization, rpc

Development Status :: 7 - InactiveLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseProgramming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8

Tags

avro serialization pythonbinary data serializationschema-based data formatavro rpc frameworkdata interchange formatavro encoder decodercolumnar data serialization
deprecatedabandonedserialization

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