asdf vs mise
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A command-line tool that manages multiple versions of languages like Ruby, Node.js and Elixir, using plugins.
Open source · MIT
One CLI to manage per-project dev tool versions, environment variables, and tasks.
The short answer
Choose asdf if you need…
- Developers who work on several projects that need different language versions
- Teams that want one version config file per project
- People moving from nvm, rbenv or pyenv who want to reuse their existing version files
Choose mise if you need…
- Developers who work on several projects that need different Node.js, Python or Rust versions
- Teams that want a committed config file so teammates and CI get the same tool versions
- People who currently juggle .tool-versions, .nvmrc or .python-version files
- Anyone who wants one place to define project tasks and environment variables
Side-by-side
| asdf | mise | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | CLI |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 25.6k | 35.7k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | See the README | See the README |
| Main language | Go | Rust |
| Last code update | 5 days ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
asdf
asdf is a command-line tool that lets you install and switch between different versions of programming languages and runtimes on a per-project basis. You add support for each language by installing a plugin. The README says it works like tools such as nvm, rbenv and pyenv, but in one tool with one set of commands.
mise
mise (short for mise-en-place) is a command-line tool that manages the software a project needs: language runtimes and other dev tools, with a separate version per project. It also loads environment variables and runs project tasks from one mise.toml file, so the same setup can work in your shell, editor, and CI. The README says it can also set up a machine with system packages, dotfiles and background services.
Best for
asdf
- Developers who work on several projects that need different language versions
- Teams that want one version config file per project
- People moving from nvm, rbenv or pyenv who want to reuse their existing version files
mise
- Developers who work on several projects that need different Node.js, Python or Rust versions
- Teams that want a committed config file so teammates and CI get the same tool versions
- People who currently juggle .tool-versions, .nvmrc or .python-version files
- Anyone who wants one place to define project tasks and environment variables
Strengths
asdf
- One command set covers multiple languages through plugins
- Reads existing files such as .nvmrc and .ruby-version, which eases migration
- Supports shell completion for Bash, Zsh, Fish and Elvish
mise
- Covers tool versions, environment variables and tasks in one config file
- The README lists a registry of over 1,000 tools and several installation backends such as GitHub releases, Cargo and npm
- Project-specific versions are kept separate, so projects do not conflict with each other
Not ideal for
asdf
- People who only use one language and one version, since a single-language version manager may be simpler
- Users who need a graphical interface, because the README describes a CLI tool only
mise
- People who only work on one project with a single tool and are happy with their current setup, since the benefit is mostly for multi-project or team use
- Users who want a purely graphical app; the README describes a command-line tool
- Environments where installing a new binary and adding a shell hook is not allowed, since the optional shell activation changes shell startup
Trade-offs
asdf
- Each language depends on its own plugin, so support quality varies by plugin (inferred from the plugin model described)
- The README is short and points to external docs for setup details, so the entry relies on those docs
mise
- The README shows many features, so a new user needs to learn several concepts such as backends, tasks and shell activation
- The README is truncated here, so details of the registry, security and advanced configuration could not be checked
- Adopting it fully means committing a config file and asking teammates to install the tool
Getting started
asdf
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf.gitmise
Install on macOS or Linux
curl -fsSL https://mise.run | shInstall on Windows
winget install jdx.miseFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between asdf and mise?
asdf: A command-line tool that manages multiple versions of languages like Ruby, Node.js and Elixir, using plugins. mise: One CLI to manage per-project dev tool versions, environment variables, and tasks. asdf suits developers who work on several projects that need different language versions, while mise suits developers who work on several projects that need different node.js, python or rust versions.
Are asdf and mise free?
asdf: Free and open source. mise: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, asdf or mise?
asdf is easier to get started with (rated beginner); mise is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is asdf or mise more popular?
mise has more GitHub stars (35.7k) than asdf (25.6k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to asdf and mise?
Other options people compare them with include nvm, rbenv, pyenv, Oh My Posh, inshellisense.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.