pyzstd
Support for Zstandard (zstd) compression
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No for new projects—use Python's native compression.zstd module instead. Yes-with-conditions for existing codebases already using pyzstd that need to stay on Python 3.10+; the package is stable and actively maintained but the maintainers explicitly recommend migration to the standard library.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.10 or later; for older Python versions, the package recommends using backports.zstd instead.
- Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution.
- Actively maintained with recent commits and production-stable status.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD-3-Clause (permissive) — BSD-3-Clause permissive license allows unrestricted commercial and private use with minimal obligations—suitable for most projects.
last release 2025-12-13 (244 days) · last repo commit 2026-05-10 · 49 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 8,519,496 downloads/mo, #1,612 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyzstd
import pyzstd
compressed = pyzstd.compress(b'data')
original = pyzstd.decompress(compressed)- Whether pyzstd offers performance advantages over direct use of compression.zstd in Python 3.10+
- Specific seekable stream or tar-related functionality beyond standard compress/decompress
What it is and what it does
pyzstd is a Python wrapper around the Zstandard compression library that mirrors the API of Python's built-in compression modules (bz2, lzma, zlib). It compresses and decompresses data using the zstd format, which offers fast compression with good compression ratios. Since version 0.19.0, it internally uses Python's native compression.zstd module when available.
The package is now primarily a compatibility shim for projects that need zstd support on Python 3.10+. The maintainers recommend that new projects use Python's standard library compression.zstd directly, and existing projects consider migrating. It remains actively maintained and carries no known security vulnerabilities.
Use it for
- Compress and decompress data in zstd format on Python 3.10+ where native support is available
- Migrate legacy code from pyzstd to the standard library compression.zstd module
- Work with seekable zstd streams or tar archives in zst format
- Maintain compatibility with code written against the pyzstd API
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No for new projects—use Python's native compression.zstd module instead.
Yes-with-conditions for existing codebases already using pyzstd that need to stay on Python 3.10+; the package is stable and actively maintained but the maintainers explicitly recommend migration to the standard library.
Install
pyzstd on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution. Actively maintained with recent commits and production-stable status. Internally delegates to Python's native compression.zstd since version 0.19.0, making it a compatibility layer for older Python versions.
Requires Python 3.10 or later; for older Python versions, the package recommends using backports.zstd instead.
License in practice
BSD-3-Clause permissive license allows unrestricted commercial and private use with minimal obligations—suitable for most projects.
Quickstart
pip install pyzstd
import pyzstd
compressed = pyzstd.compress(b'data')
original = pyzstd.decompress(compressed)Verify before relying
- Whether pyzstd offers performance advantages over direct use of compression.zstd in Python 3.10+
- Specific seekable stream or tar-related functionality beyond standard compress/decompress
Package facts
| License | BSD-3-Clause permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packagesbackports-zstdtyping-extensions |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 244 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 8,519,496 / month, #1,612 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 :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Topic :: System :: Archiving :: Compression |
Evidence: pyzstd-0.19.1-py3-none-any.whl
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See also lz4 · pybcj · xopen · zstd · pyvista-zstd · zstandard · pyppmd · tzst · zipfile-zstd