Differences Between a Web Installer & an Offline Installer

If you love to try out different software and tools, I’m sure you’d have come across online installers also known as web installers. Most of the software makers today prefer web installers over traditional complete setups as it allows them to provide updated versions of their product each time one tried to install it.

What’s a web installer?

It’s an installer type which connects to the developer’s server using an available internet connection each time you run the setup.

It’s also called as web setup, online setup, and online installer.

What’s an offline installer?

It can be installed on your computer without an internet connection. Ex: Google offline installer and Skype offline installer.

It’s also called as offline setup, standalone setup and standalone installer.

Web Installer vs Offline Installer

Here are some differences between an offline installer and a web installer. You must always consider the following points before going for any of those installers.

* Web Installer

* Offline Installer

1. A web installer requires an internet connection each time you run the setup.

1. An offline installer doesn’t require an internet connection each time a setup is run.

2. A web installer cannot be run without an internet connection.

2. An offline installer can be run without an internet connection.

3. Installing a product by using a web installer is more time consuming as it downloads data each time its run.

3. Installing a product by using an offline installer consumes less time.

4. The entire product is downloaded.

4. After installation, you can just download the updates.

5. You’d need to download the data again if you wish to install the product on many computers.

5. The same setup can be used on several computers.

6. You get an updated copy each time.

6. You have to download the updates separately.

7. A web installer is small in size as most of the required data is downloaded once the setup is run.

7. An offline setup is large in size.

8. Mostly used by applications those require internet access to function.

8. Commonly used by software which can function without an internet connection?

9. Good for those with fast internet connections.

9. Good for people with slow internet connections.

10. Good for single installations.

10. Good for multiple installations.

There are no more differences I can think of now, but I think the ten differences I mentioned above are enough to give you an exact idea of how each one of the two installer types function and which one you should use.

I’d always prefer an offline installer or a standalone installer over a web setup as I often maintain a backup disc of all the software I use and also because I install the same software on two of my desktops. Which one would you go for?