virtualenv

Name: virtualenv
Author: Python Packaging Authority (PyPA)

A command-line tool that creates isolated Python environments, each with its own interpreter and packages.

Open source (MIT)By Python Packaging Authority (PyPA)

Free Open sourceCommand line

Official websitevirtualenv.pypa.io

Compare virtualenv with another product

Read the virtualenv documentation

1 more way to get virtualenv

Homebrewbrew install virtualenv

Alternatives

PipenvPipenv combines virtual environments with package installation and a lock file for reproducible installs, using its own Pipfile format instead of a plain requirements file.
pyenv-virtualenvpyenv-virtualenv manages virtualenvs and conda environments through pyenv commands, but requires pyenv first and runs only on UNIX-like systems without native Windows support.
HatchHatch manages environments alongside builds, testing, versioning and publishing in one command-line tool, with a plugin system but more options to learn.
pipxInstalls Python command line applications in isolated environments.
uvuv creates virtual environments and also replaces pip, poetry and pyenv in one Rust tool, with much faster installs, though behaviour changes between minor versions.
PoetryPoetry manages environments together with dependencies, a lock file, package builds and PyPI publishing, using its own workflow that differs from plain pip and requirements files.

See all alternatives

About virtualenv

virtualenv creates isolated Python environments so each project can have its own packages without affecting the system Python or other projects. Since Python 3.3, a subset of its features has been part of the standard library as the venv module, and the documentation explains how the two compare.

The documentation covers selecting Python versions, activating environments, configuring defaults and using virtualenv from Python code. It has a plugin system for extending its behaviour, and published releases can be verified to confirm they came from the official release workflow.

Strengths

Keeps project dependencies separate from the system Python
Lets you choose the Python version for each environment
Plugin system for extending how environments are created
Releases can be verified against the official release workflow

Limitations

Much of its core function is also covered by the built-in venv module
Does not manage dependency lock files by itself

Details

Pricing: FreeFree and open source under the MIT licence.
License: MIT
Developer: Python Packaging Authority (PyPA)
Platforms: Command line
How it runs: Downloadable app
Account: Not required
Best suited for: Python developers who need separate environments per project
Categories: Developer tools
Last verified: October 1, 2026
Added: October 1, 2026
Sources: virtualenv.pypa.io

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