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# GNU Automake vs GNU Make Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Export
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GNU AutomakeGNU Make[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**GNU Automake**
No pricing available

**GNU Make**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**GNU Automake**
Not enough reviews yet

**GNU Make**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**GNU Automake**
Not enough reviews yet

**GNU Make**
Not enough reviews yet

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
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Time to Implement

**GNU Automake** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**GNU Make** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**GNU Automake** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**GNU Make** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**GNU Automake**
Not enough data

**GNU Make**
Not enough data

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**GNU Automake**

**8.9** /10

Based on 11 responses

**GNU Make**

**9.4** /10

Based on 16 responses

Ease of Use

**GNU Automake**

**8.3** /10

Based on 11 responses

**GNU Make**

**6.9** /10

Based on 16 responses

Ease of Setup

**GNU Automake** Not enough data

**GNU Make**

**6.9** /10

Based on 7 responses

Ease of Admin

**GNU Automake** Not enough data

**GNU Make**

**7.9** /10

Based on 7 responses

Quality of Support

**GNU Automake**

**7.9** /10

Based on 7 responses

**GNU Make**

**7.5** /10

Based on 12 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**GNU Automake** Not enough data

**GNU Make** Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**GNU Automake**

**6.8** /10

Based on 11 responses

**GNU Make**

**7.1** /10

Based on 16 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

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%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
38.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
16.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
44.4%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
38.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
16.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
44.4%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![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%

[![GNU Make](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3013989c4a77f13473ace5387dedf5df/gnu-make.png "GNU Make")](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-make/reviews)
GNU Make

Information Technology and Services
16.7%

Higher Education
16.7%

Computer Software
16.7%

Defense & Space
11.1%

Retail
5.6%

Other
33.3%

Alternatives

**GNU Automake Alternatives**

 ![CMake](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_a24dedb54f0d29cd769216f70cc92db4/cmake.png "CMake")

[
CMake
](/products/cmake/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 Make Alternatives**

 ![CMake](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_a24dedb54f0d29cd769216f70cc92db4/cmake.png "CMake")

[
CMake
](/products/cmake/reviews)

 ![SCons](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_ad1a076a2598e6fe2b5e59cc25917169/scons.png "SCons")

[
SCons
](/products/scons/reviews)

 ![Leiningen](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_e92fc2fe16914b933d03a4bdb4913526/leiningen.jpeg "Leiningen")

[
Leiningen
](/products/leiningen/reviews)

 ![MPW Make](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_394074a8978b8219057cec33044aaf82/mpw-make.png "MPW Make")

[
MPW Make
](/products/mpw-make/reviews)

## GNU Automake vs GNU Make FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 16, 2026

### What is the difference between GNU Make vs GNU Automake?

GNU Make is favored for its direct build automation capabilities, while GNU Automake is recognized for simplifying Makefile generation and cross-platform builds.

| [GNU Make](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-make/reviews) | [GNU Automake](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-automake/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.4/5 (19 reviews) | 4.2/5 (11 reviews) |
| 6.9 | — |
| 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Automates project compilation and dependency management | Autogenerates Makefiles for cross-platform builds |

### How do the pricing models of GNU Make and GNU Automake compare?

GNU Make and GNU Automake are both highly rated for value, with reviewers expressing strong satisfaction for each product's free and open-source model.

- **GNU Make:** Reviewers consistently highlight that GNU Make is free and open source, making it a strong value choice for automating software builds.
- **GNU Automake:** Reviewers appreciate that GNU Automake is also free and part of the GNU license, emphasizing its value in generating Makefiles for diverse platforms.

### What are the best alternatives to GNU Make and GNU Automake?

The top 3 alternatives to GNU Make and GNU Automake are CMake, SCons, and Leiningen.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [GNU Make](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-make/reviews) | 4.4/5 (19 reviews) | Free and open source | Automates project compilation and dependency management |
| [GNU Automake](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-automake/reviews) | 4.2/5 (11 reviews) | Free and open source | Autogenerates Makefiles for cross-platform builds |
| [CMake](https://www.g2.com/products/cmake/reviews) | 4.3/5 (17 reviews) | — | Widely used for cross-platform build automation |
| [SCons](https://www.g2.com/products/scons/reviews) | 4.1/5 (17 reviews) | — | Python-based build automation |
| [Leiningen](https://www.g2.com/products/leiningen/reviews) | 4.8/5 (3 reviews) | — | Build automation for Clojure projects |

### Which Other Continuous Delivery features should I prioritize when comparing GNU Make and GNU Automake?

Buyers should prioritize Ease of Setup, Quality of Support, Meets Requirements, and cross-platform build automation when comparing GNU Make and GNU Automake.

- **Ease of Setup:** GNU Make scores 6.9; GNU Automake has no score reported.
- **Quality of Support:** GNU Make scores 7.5; GNU Automake scores 7.9.
- **Meets Requirements:** GNU Make scores 9.4; GNU Automake scores 8.9.
- **Cross-platform build automation:** GNU Automake is frequently cited for simplifying Makefile generation across platforms, while GNU Make is recognized for direct build automation.

### What are the pros and cons of GNU Make vs GNU Automake?

GNU Make's headline strength is direct build automation and dependency management, while GNU Automake excels at generating Makefiles for cross-platform builds.

- **GNU Make strengths:** Reviewers highlight automation of project compilation, strong community support, and flexibility for multi-language builds.
- **GNU Make trade-offs:** Reviewers note a steep learning curve, complex documentation, and challenges with large projects or advanced features.
- **GNU Automake strengths:** Reviewers praise its ability to autogenerate Makefiles, simplify cross-platform builds, and standardize build processes.
- **GNU Automake trade-offs:** Reviewers mention a steep learning curve, compatibility issues with older versions, and less relevance for modern languages like Python and Go.

### Is GNU Make or GNU Automake better for small businesses?

GNU Make is the better fit for small businesses, as reviewers frequently cite its use in small-scale and multi-language projects.

- **GNU Make:** Reviewers describe using GNU Make for managing small business projects, server configurations, and in-house tool automation.
- **GNU Automake:** Reviewers focus on its use for larger, cross-platform, or open-source projects rather than small business scenarios.

### Which Other Continuous Delivery platform has better integrations?

GNU Make and GNU Automake are rated at parity for integrations, with no recent reviewer-cited third-party integrations for either product.

- **GNU Make:** No integrations cited in recent reviews.
- **GNU Automake:** No integrations cited in recent reviews.

### How do GNU Make and GNU Automake compare on customer support?

GNU Automake has a slight edge in Quality of Support, scoring 7.9 versus GNU Make's 7.5, which is below the materiality threshold for a clear winner.

- **GNU Make:** Reviewers describe support as primarily community-driven, with extensive online resources and tutorials.
- **GNU Automake:** Reviewers note that support is community-based, with documentation being important for effective use.

### Which is easier to implement, GNU Make or GNU Automake?

GNU Make and GNU Automake are rated at parity for Ease of Setup, with GNU Make scoring 6.9 and no score reported for GNU Automake.

- **GNU Make:** Reviewers report that setup can be straightforward for small projects but becomes complex for larger or multi-language builds.
- **GNU Automake:** Reviewers mention that setup is simplified for cross-platform projects but requires familiarity with Makefiles and related tools.

## GNU Automake vs GNU Make

- Reviewers felt that GNU Make meets the needs of their business better than GNU Automake.
- 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 GNU Make over GNU Automake.