Link copied to clipboard # CMake vs GNU Automake Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/cmake/gnu-automake/export.csv) CMakeGNU Automake[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **CMake** No pricing available **GNU Automake** No pricing available **Pros & Cons** from reviews **CMake** Not enough data **GNU Automake** Not enough data **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **CMake** **8.4** /10 Based on 16 responses **GNU Automake** **8.9** /10 Based on 11 responses Ease of Use **CMake** **6.6** /10 Based on 16 responses **GNU Automake** **8.3** /10 Based on 11 responses Ease of Setup **CMake** Not enough data **GNU Automake** Not enough data Ease of Admin **CMake** Not enough data **GNU Automake** Not enough data Quality of Support **CMake** **7.2** /10 Based on 10 responses **GNU Automake** **7.9** /10 Based on 7 responses Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **CMake** Not enough data **GNU Automake** Not enough data Product Direction (% positive) **CMake** **7.1** /10 Based on 16 responses **GNU Automake** **6.8** /10 Based on 11 responses User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 35.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 23.5% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 41.2% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 35.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 23.5% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 41.2% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 54.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 36.4% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 9.1% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 54.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 36.4% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 9.1% **Reviewers' Industry** [![CMake](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_a24dedb54f0d29cd769216f70cc92db4/cmake.png "CMake")](https://www.g2.com/products/cmake/reviews) CMake Information Technology and Services 23.5% Computer Software 17.6% Research 11.8% Internet 11.8% Telecommunications 5.9% Other 29.4% [![GNU Automake](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d211b33bd9a6b70715d9ba7f26e8cfd4/gnu-automake.png "GNU Automake")](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-automake/reviews) GNU Automake Consumer Services 18.2% Telecommunications 9.1% Research 9.1% Religious Institutions 9.1% Internet 9.1% Other 45.5% Alternatives **CMake Alternatives** ![GNU Make](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3013989c4a77f13473ace5387dedf5df/gnu-make.png "GNU Make") [ GNU Make ](/products/gnu-make/reviews) ![SCons](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_ad1a076a2598e6fe2b5e59cc25917169/scons.png "SCons") [ SCons ](/products/scons/reviews) ![FinalBuilder](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d56f6b1fc0d06858381ff39b53260573/finalbuilder.png "FinalBuilder") [ FinalBuilder ](/products/finalbuilder/reviews) ![Leiningen](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_e92fc2fe16914b933d03a4bdb4913526/leiningen.jpeg "Leiningen") [ Leiningen ](/products/leiningen/reviews) **GNU Automake Alternatives** ![SCons](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_ad1a076a2598e6fe2b5e59cc25917169/scons.png "SCons") [ SCons ](/products/scons/reviews) ![FinalBuilder](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d56f6b1fc0d06858381ff39b53260573/finalbuilder.png "FinalBuilder") [ FinalBuilder ](/products/finalbuilder/reviews) ![Leiningen](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_e92fc2fe16914b933d03a4bdb4913526/leiningen.jpeg "Leiningen") [ Leiningen ](/products/leiningen/reviews) ![Apache Buildr](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f2e08fc9b5e7cbdc2129732ad1d6539d/apache-buildr.png "Apache Buildr") [ Apache Buildr ](/products/apache-buildr/reviews) ## CMake vs GNU Automake FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between CMake vs GNU Automake? CMake stands out for its higher G2 rating and broader cross-platform build capabilities, while GNU Automake is recognized for its maturity and standardization in open source environments. | [CMake](https://www.g2.com/products/cmake/reviews) | [GNU Automake](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-automake/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.3/5 (17 reviews) | 4.2/5 (11 reviews) | | — | — | | Ease of Setup: 6.0, 5.0 | Ease of Setup: 7.0, 7.0 | | Quality of Support: 7.2 | Quality of Support: 7.9 | | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength: Cross-platform build system, simplifies complex builds, strong IDE integration | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength: Mature, widely adopted for open source, automates and standardizes makefile generation | ### How do the pricing models of CMake and GNU Automake compare? Reviewers rate CMake and GNU Automake at parity for value, with both products receiving positive feedback on cost-effectiveness. - **CMake:** Reviewers highlight CMake as a free, open-source tool that saves developer time and reduces build complexity. - **GNU Automake:** Reviewers consistently mention that GNU Automake is free, open source, and part of the GNU license, making it a strong value for automating builds in open source projects. ### What are the best alternatives to CMake and GNU Automake? The top three alternatives to CMake and GNU Automake are GNU Make, SCons, and — (no third alternative meets the data threshold). | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | | [CMake](https://www.g2.com/products/cmake/reviews) | 4.3/5 (17 reviews) | Cross-platform build system, simplifies complex builds, strong IDE integration | | [GNU Automake](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-automake/reviews) | 4.2/5 (11 reviews) | Mature, widely adopted for open source, automates and standardizes makefile generation | | [GNU Make](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-make/reviews) | 4.4/5 (19 reviews) | Historical standard for Unix build systems, flexible for custom build processes | | [SCons](https://www.g2.com/products/scons/reviews) | 4.1/5 (17 reviews) | Python-based build automation, modern alternative to makefiles | ### Which Other Continuous Delivery features should I prioritize when comparing CMake and GNU Automake? Buyers should prioritize cross-platform support, ease of setup, quality of support, and automation capabilities when comparing CMake and GNU Automake. - **Cross-platform support:** CMake is frequently cited for its ability to handle builds across Windows, Mac, and Linux, while GNU Automake is noted for Unix and Linux environments. - **Ease of setup:** CMake scores 6.0 and 5.0, while GNU Automake scores 7.0 and 7.0, indicating both are rated highly but Automake edges ahead in recent reviews. - **Quality of support:** CMake scores 7.2, GNU Automake 7.9, showing both products are well-supported, with Automake slightly ahead. - **Automation capabilities:** Both products are praised for automating build processes, but CMake is highlighted for simplifying complex, multi-platform builds, while Automake is valued for standardizing makefile generation in open source projects. ### What are the pros and cons of CMake vs GNU Automake? CMake's headline strength is its cross-platform build automation, while GNU Automake excels in standardization and maturity for open source projects. - **CMake strengths:** Cross-platform build system, simplifies complex builds, strong IDE integration, reduces developer time spent on build configuration. - **CMake trade-offs:** Steep learning curve for beginners, documentation can be challenging, syntax is sometimes criticized, and performance may lag on very large codebases. - **GNU Automake strengths:** Mature and widely adopted in open source, automates and standardizes makefile generation, strong for Unix/Linux environments, free and open source. - **GNU Automake trade-offs:** Steep learning curve, less relevant for modern languages like Python and Go, compatibility issues across versions, and limited support for Windows environments. ### Is CMake or GNU Automake better for small businesses? CMake is the better fit for small businesses due to its cross-platform flexibility and positive reviewer sentiment on ease of use for smaller projects. - **CMake:** Reviewers highlight CMake's suitability for small projects, especially those under 5,000 files, and its ability to streamline builds across different operating systems. - **GNU Automake:** Reviewers note Automake's strength in open source and Unix/Linux environments, but mention a steeper learning curve and less relevance for modern or Windows-based small business projects. ### Which Other Continuous Delivery platform has better integrations? Reviewers rate CMake and GNU Automake at parity for integrations, with no recent integration-specific mentions for either product. - **CMake:** Reviewers mention integration with IDEs such as Visual Studio and JetBrains, and compatibility with tools like Git, FTP, and HTTP. - **GNU Automake:** Reviewers note integration with Autoconf, GCC, and other GNU build utilities, especially in Unix/Linux environments. ### How do CMake and GNU Automake compare on customer support? CMake and GNU Automake are rated at parity for Quality of Support, with CMake at 7.2 and GNU Automake at 7.9, a difference below the materiality threshold. - **CMake:** Reviewers describe support as generally positive, with some noting challenges due to limited documentation and a smaller community. - **GNU Automake:** Reviewers report strong support experiences, especially for open source projects, but mention that expertise is often required for troubleshooting. ### Which is easier to implement, CMake or GNU Automake? GNU Automake is rated higher for Ease of Setup, with both recent and older reviews scoring it at 7.0 compared to CMake's 6.0 and 5.0. - **CMake:** Reviewers note that setup can be challenging for beginners, but once learned, it streamlines cross-platform builds and project configuration. - **GNU Automake:** Reviewers highlight straightforward setup for Unix/Linux projects, with automation of makefile generation and strong template support, though a learning curve exists for new users. ## CMake vs GNU Automake - Reviewers felt that GNU Automake meets the needs of their business better than CMake. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that GNU Automake is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of CMake over GNU Automake.