brotlicffi
Python CFFI bindings to the Brotli library
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need Brotli compression on PyPy or other non-CPython implementations, or if you prefer CFFI-based bindings over C extensions. On CPython, the native Brotli package is typically preferred for performance, but this package is a solid alternative with active maintenance, no known vulnerabilities, and permissive licensing. Install friction is moderate but manageable with pre-built wheels for common platforms.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.8 or later; PyPy support available via CFFI bindings as an alternative to the C implementation.
- Medium install friction due to compiled wheels; pre-built binaries available for common platforms (CPython 3.8+, PyPy 3.11) and architectures (x86_64, aarch64, ARM, Windows).
- Actively maintained with recent release (162 days old) and ongoing repository activity.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license on the Python bindings themselves; the underlying Brotli library is Apache 2.0. Both are permissive, allowing commercial and private use without restriction.
last release 2026-03-05 (162 days) · last repo commit 2026-03-05 · 153 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 4,252,364 downloads/mo, #2,350 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install brotlicffi
import brotlicffi
data = brotlicffi.decompress(compressed_data)- Whether the output_buffer_limit parameter (added in 1.2.0.0) is documented and how to use it effectively for security.
- Performance characteristics compared to the native Brotli C bindings on CPython.
- Thread safety guarantees beyond the documented exception for concurrent Compressor/Decompressor sharing.
What it is and what it does
BrotliCFFI is a Python wrapper around the Brotli compression algorithm, implemented using CFFI (C Foreign Function Interface) rather than C extensions. It provides both one-shot compression/decompression functions and streaming APIs for incremental processing. The package is designed as a drop-in alternative to the native Brotli C bindings, with identical API compatibility, making it particularly useful for PyPy and other non-CPython implementations where C extensions are impractical.
The library depends only on cffi and wraps the reference Brotli encoder/decoder from Google. It supports modern Python versions (3.8 through 3.14, including free-threaded builds) and multiple platforms. Recent versions include security-focused features like output buffer limits to mitigate decompression bombs, and explicit exception handling for concurrent access to compressor/decompressor objects.
Use it for
- Decompress Brotli-encoded HTTP responses in web clients or servers running PyPy or alternative Python implementations.
- Streaming compression of large files or network data using the Compressor/Decompressor classes with incremental processing.
- Cross-implementation Python projects that need Brotli support on both CPython and PyPy using conditional dependencies.
- Protect against maliciously crafted compressed data by setting output_buffer_limit on decompression operations.
- Build HTTP middleware or reverse proxies that handle Brotli content encoding on platforms where C extensions are unavailable.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need Brotli compression on PyPy or other non-CPython implementations, or if you prefer CFFI-based bindings over C extensions.
On CPython, the native Brotli package is typically preferred for performance, but this package is a solid alternative with active maintenance, no known vulnerabilities, and permissive licensing. Install friction is moderate but manageable with pre-built wheels for common platforms.
Install
brotlicffi on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled wheels; pre-built binaries available for common platforms (CPython 3.8+, PyPy 3.11) and architectures (x86_64, aarch64, ARM, Windows). Actively maintained with recent release (162 days old) and ongoing repository activity.
Requires Python 3.8 or later; PyPy support available via CFFI bindings as an alternative to the C implementation.
License in practice
MIT license on the Python bindings themselves; the underlying Brotli library is Apache 2.0. Both are permissive, allowing commercial and private use without restriction.
Quickstart
pip install brotlicffi
import brotlicffi
data = brotlicffi.decompress(compressed_data)Verify before relying
- Whether the output_buffer_limit parameter (added in 1.2.0.0) is documented and how to use it effectively for security.
- Performance characteristics compared to the native Brotli C bindings on CPython.
- Thread safety guarantees beyond the documented exception for concurrent Compressor/Decompressor sharing.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagecffi |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 162 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 4,252,364 / month, #2,350 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Free Threading :: 2 - BetaProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPy |
Evidence: brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp314-cp314t-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp314-cp314t-manylinux2014_aarch64.manylinux_2_17_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp314-cp314t-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp314-cp314t-win32.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp314-cp314t-win_amd64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp38-abi3-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp38-abi3-manylinux2014_aarch64.manylinux_2_17_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp38-abi3-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp38-abi3-win32.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-cp38-abi3-win_amd64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-pp311-pypy311_pp73-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-pp311-pypy311_pp73-manylinux2014_aarch64.manylinux_2_17_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-pp311-pypy311_pp73-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; brotlicffi-1.2.0.1-pp311-pypy311_pp73-win_amd64.whl
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See also brotlipy · brotli · brotli-asgi · lzfse · python-neo-lzf · cramjam · inflate64 · unlzw3 · onigurumacffi · cffi