pip
The PyPA recommended tool for installing Python packages.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. pip is essential infrastructure for Python development—it is the standard package installer and comes pre-installed with Python 3.10+. There is no realistic alternative for most Python workflows. The project is actively maintained, has zero dependencies, installs with no friction, carries no security vulnerabilities, and is licensed permissively under MIT. Install or update it as part of your Python setup.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.10 or later.
- pip is bundled with modern Python versions and has zero runtime dependencies, making installation frictionless.
- The project is actively maintained with releases every 3 months and shows strong community engagement with 10261 repository stars.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — pip is released under the MIT license (permissive), meaning you can use, modify, and distribute it freely with minimal restrictions.
last release 2026-08-04 (10 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-08 · 10,261 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 617,503,549 downloads/mo, #51 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip is typically pre-installed with Python 3.10+. To verify your pip version:
pip --version
To install from the Python Package Index:
pip install <name>- Whether pip 26.2.1 resolves specific known issues in earlier versions beyond security fixes.
- Performance characteristics or behavioral changes introduced in the 3-month release cycle.
- Support for installation from alternative indexes or version control repositories.
What it is and what it does
pip is the official Python package installer maintained by the Python Packaging Authority. It retrieves packages from the Python Package Index and other configured indexes, resolving dependencies and installing them into your Python environment. pip is the de facto standard tool for Python package management and comes pre-installed with modern Python distributions.
Most Python developers use pip as their primary package management tool. It handles version resolution, dependency trees, and supports installation from wheels, source distributions, and local files. The project maintains an active release schedule with updates every 3 months and receives regular maintenance and security updates.
Use it for
- Install third-party packages from the Python Package Index into your Python environment.
- Manage project dependencies by installing specific versions and resolving transitive dependency trees.
- Create reproducible environments by pinning versions in requirements files.
- Upgrade or uninstall packages to maintain a clean Python environment.
- Verify installed package versions and inspect the installation state of your environment.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
pip is essential infrastructure for Python development—it is the standard package installer and comes pre-installed with Python 3.10+. There is no realistic alternative for most Python workflows. The project is actively maintained, has zero dependencies, installs with no friction, carries no security vulnerabilities, and is licensed permissively under MIT. Install or update it as part of your Python setup.
Install
pip on PyPI
Before you install
pip is bundled with modern Python versions and has zero runtime dependencies, making installation frictionless. The project is actively maintained with releases every 3 months and shows strong community engagement with 10261 repository stars.
Requires Python 3.10 or later.
License in practice
pip is released under the MIT license (permissive), meaning you can use, modify, and distribute it freely with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip is typically pre-installed with Python 3.10+. To verify your pip version:
pip --version
To install from the Python Package Index:
pip install <name>Verify before relying
- Whether pip 26.2.1 resolves specific known issues in earlier versions beyond security fixes.
- Performance characteristics or behavioral changes introduced in the 3-month release cycle.
- Support for installation from alternative indexes or version control repositories.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 10 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 617,503,549 / month, #51 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/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersProgramming 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 :: 3.15Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software Development :: Build Tools |
Evidence: pip-26.2.1-py3-none-any.whl
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See also pbs-installer · pipx · pypi-simple · virtualenv · twine · setuptools · distlib · python-msilib · installer