python-snappy
Python library for the snappy compression library from Google
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, with conditions. The package is stable, permissively licensed, and has low install friction. However, dormant maintenance (715 days since last release) means security or compatibility issues may not be addressed quickly. Install if you need Snappy compression and can accept that bug fixes or Python version support updates may lag; avoid if you require active upstream support.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python >=3.8; cramjam is the sole runtime dependency.
- Low install friction with a pure wheel distribution.
- Maintenance is dormant—last release was 715 days ago, though the repository remains active with a recent commit on 2024-10-16 and moderate community interest (490 stars).
License · maintenance · safety
BSD (permissive) — BSD license (permissive) means you can use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal restrictions, provided you include the license notice.
last release 2024-08-29 (715 days) · last repo commit 2024-10-16 · 490 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 15,632,404 downloads/mo, #1,177 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install python-snappy
import snappy
compressed = snappy.compress(b'data')
original = snappy.decompress(compressed)- Whether dormant maintenance status indicates abandonment risk or stable maturity.
- Performance characteristics compared to other Python compression libraries.
- Actual compatibility with Python 3.12 in production use beyond classifier declarations.
What it is and what it does
python-snappy wraps Google's Snappy compression library for Python, delegating compression and decompression operations to cramjam. It exposes both a Python API for in-process compression and a command-line interface for file and stream compression. The package is designed for scenarios where fast, moderate-ratio compression is preferred over maximum compression ratios.
The library supports Python 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, and 3.12 on POSIX and macOS systems. It is classified as Beta and has been in development since 2011-03-29, with a permissive BSD license. Installation is straightforward via pip with low friction, though the project has entered a dormant maintenance phase with no releases for 715 days.
Use it for
- Compress and decompress data streams in applications requiring fast compression over maximum ratio.
- Command-line compression of files using `python -m snappy` for quick ad-hoc compression tasks.
- Integration into data pipelines or storage systems where Snappy format compatibility is needed.
- Batch processing of large datasets where compression speed is a bottleneck.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, with conditions.
The package is stable, permissively licensed, and has low install friction. However, dormant maintenance (715 days since last release) means security or compatibility issues may not be addressed quickly. Install if you need Snappy compression and can accept that bug fixes or Python version support updates may lag; avoid if you require active upstream support.
Install
python-snappy on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure wheel distribution. Maintenance is dormant—last release was 715 days ago, though the repository remains active with a recent commit on 2024-10-16 and moderate community interest (490 stars).
Requires Python >=3.8; cramjam is the sole runtime dependency.
License in practice
BSD license (permissive) means you can use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal restrictions, provided you include the license notice.
Quickstart
pip install python-snappy
import snappy
compressed = snappy.compress(b'data')
original = snappy.decompress(compressed)Verify before relying
- Whether dormant maintenance status indicates abandonment risk or stable maturity.
- Performance characteristics compared to other Python compression libraries.
- Actual compatibility with Python 3.12 in production use beyond classifier declarations.
Package facts
| License | BSD permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagecramjam |
| Maintenance | Dormant 715 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 15,632,404 / month, #1,177 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersIntended Audience :: System AdministratorsLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: InternetTopic :: Software DevelopmentTopic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTopic :: System :: Archiving :: Compression |
Evidence: python_snappy-0.7.3-py3-none-any.whl
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See also cramjam · apple-compress · lzfse · python-neo-lzf · python-lzf · lzallright · blosc · zopfli · turbojpeg · pgzip