opencv-python
Wrapper package for OpenCV python bindings.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. opencv-python is a mature, actively maintained library with no known vulnerabilities, broad platform support, and permissive licensing. Install friction is moderate but manageable with current pip and platform-specific runtime libraries. It is the standard choice for Python computer vision work when GPU acceleration is not required. Choose the headless variant for server deployments to reduce image size and dependency overhead.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Windows users may need Visual C++ redistributable 2015 installed.
- Older pip versions (< 19.3) may fail to install manylinux2014 wheels and attempt source build instead.
- Medium install friction due to binary wheel distribution across multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux).
License · maintenance · safety
Apache 2.0 (permissive) — Licensed under Apache 2.0 (permissive), allowing free use, modification, and distribution in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.
last release 2026-07-02 (43 days) · last repo commit 2026-07-28 · 5,348 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 64,334,607 downloads/mo, #491 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install opencv-python
import cv2
face_cascade = cv2.CascadeClassifier(cv2.data.haarcascades + "haarcascade_frontalface_default.xml")- Whether GPU acceleration (CUDA) is available through separate build or contrib package variants
- Performance characteristics and memory footprint for large-scale image or video processing
- Compatibility with headless variants and when to choose each package option
What it is and what it does
opencv-python is a pre-built Python wrapper around the OpenCV C++ library, distributed as binary wheels for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It provides a complete computer vision toolkit for tasks like image reading/writing, filtering, feature detection, object recognition, and video processing. The package includes Haar cascade classifiers for common tasks and bundles all dependencies statically, so no separate OpenCV installation is needed.
The package depends only on numpy and is designed for CPU-only workflows. It supports Python versions from 3.6 onward. The description notes that non-free algorithms are excluded due to patent restrictions, though SIFT is included following patent expiration. Users can choose between the standard package (with GUI support) or headless variants for server environments to reduce dependency chains.
Use it for
- Real-time face or object detection in images or video streams using pre-trained Haar cascades
- Image preprocessing and filtering for machine learning pipelines
- Video frame extraction and analysis for surveillance or automated inspection systems
- Building computer vision prototypes without compiling OpenCV from source
- Deploying vision applications in Docker or cloud environments using headless variant
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
opencv-python is a mature, actively maintained library with no known vulnerabilities, broad platform support, and permissive licensing. Install friction is moderate but manageable with current pip and platform-specific runtime libraries. It is the standard choice for Python computer vision work when GPU acceleration is not required. Choose the headless variant for server deployments to reduce image size and dependency overhead.
Install
opencv-python on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to binary wheel distribution across multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux). Requires pip >= 19.3 to properly handle manylinux2014 wheels. Windows users may need Visual C++ redistributable 2015 or Media Feature Pack depending on edition. Actively maintained with recent releases.
Windows users may need Visual C++ redistributable 2015 installed. Older pip versions (< 19.3) may fail to install manylinux2014 wheels and attempt source build instead.
License in practice
Licensed under Apache 2.0 (permissive), allowing free use, modification, and distribution in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install opencv-python
import cv2
face_cascade = cv2.CascadeClassifier(cv2.data.haarcascades + "haarcascade_frontalface_default.xml")Verify before relying
- Whether GPU acceleration (CUDA) is available through separate build or contrib package variants
- Performance characteristics and memory footprint for large-scale image or video processing
- Compatibility with headless variants and when to choose each package option
Package facts
| License | Apache 2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.6 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagenumpy |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 43 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 64,334,607 / month, #491 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersIntended Audience :: EducationIntended Audience :: Information TechnologyIntended Audience :: Science/ResearchLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseOperating System :: MacOSOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXOperating System :: UnixProgramming Language :: C++Programming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonTopic :: Scientific/EngineeringTopic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Image RecognitionTopic :: Software Development |
Evidence: opencv_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-macosx_13_0_arm64.whl; opencv_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-macosx_14_0_x86_64.whl; opencv_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-manylinux2014_aarch64.manylinux_2_17_aarch64.whl; opencv_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; opencv_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; opencv_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; opencv_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-win32.whl; opencv_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-win_amd64.whl
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See also opencv-python-headless · opencv-contrib-python · opencv-contrib-python-headless · python-mpv · imutils · blend-modes · installer · xvfbwrapper · freetype-py · pillow-heif