NSIS advantages over Install Shield?

[bhatia_amit]

Hello friends,

I am new to install system world. I am evaluation 2 options for my software's installer. NSIS and Microsoft's Install Shield. My requirements are very basic:

- Registry entries for XP and Vista 32/64 bit platforms.
- File system driver installation.
- Making installations for other than Windows OS.

I know 3rd one is not possible in both. But if there is any option known, please let me know.

Considering above requirements, what all seems to be a good option for me, considering I am new to this install system world. Will NSIS scripting be worth doind for above requirements than wizard based InstallShield. If yes, then what advantages t has.

Thanks & Regards
Amit Bhatia

[LoRd_MuldeR]

InstallShield isn't a product of Micro$oft!

InstallShield is a commercial product, which is developed and sold by Acresso Software.
It uses Microsoft's "Windows Installer" in addition to it's own install engine, but that's it.

Problem with InstallShield:
Even the very basic "Express Edition" costs you ~550 €, which is far too much for such a simple product.
So if you want to do anything useful (comparable to NSIS or InnoSetup) you need to get the "Professional" version.
And that Pro version of InstallShield costs you ~2500 $, while NSIS is OpenSource and 100% free...

Another thing: NSIS uses LZMA compression, which is far superior to the compression used by InstallShield.
Many vendors create their installers with InstallShiled, but wrap an NSIS installer around it for better compression.

The only reason for InstallShiled is that it's establish in the "commercial" world for years now...