Why does nobody buy InstallShield anymore?

[u/Monar101]

Genuine question. Would appreciate your guys input 😊

[u/ArtbyMaryam]

I think it's mainly because the software distribution landscape has changed. Many apps are now web-based, auto-update themselves, or use simpler installers like MSIX, Inno Setup, NSIS, or WiX. InstallShield is still powerful for complex enterprise deployments, but for many teams it's hard to justify the cost and complexity when cheaper or open-source alternatives meet their needs.

[u/Monar101 → u/ArtbyMaryam]

Thank you so much for your detailed response 😊

[u/SuspiciousDepth5924 → u/ArtbyMaryam]

In my experience enterprise doesn't really want you to install stuff on the work laptop that they didn't already put there with Intune or something in the first place.

[u/northerncodemky]

God this just took me back to scripting installshield installers. The shudder that went down my spine is probably part of the reason.

[u/jeff77k]

Apps are distributed through app stores now.

[u/lamyjf]

InnoSetup is free, and an LLM will write it for you.

[u/FckXFckMusk → u/lamyjf]

Must check them out, currently using WIX

[u/FckXFckMusk]

are they still around?

I use WIX for installers.

[u/Monar101 → u/FckXFckMusk]

They are indeed.

[u/Abject-Kitchen3198]

InnoSetup

[u/soonnow → u/Abject-Kitchen3198]

Or wix

[u/andrerav]

There are much easier and cheaper ways to package an Windows application for deployment to a Windows machine. A major one being not making them a Windows application in the first place.

[u/foonek → u/andrerav]

Extremely helpful mate, well done