Best Runtime Version Managers in 2026
28 runtime version managers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
28ranked
15free plans on this page
20 Sept 2026last checked
#1 SDKMAN! Top pick · 8.4 Free plan · Free
#2 tenv Runner-up · 8.3 Free plan · Free
#3 rustup Also great · 8.0 Free plan · Free
- Free plan apiLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trialFree About tenvVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Runtime types
- language
- Automatic switching
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
- Version source
- both
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trialFree About fnmVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trialFree About RVMVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Runtime types
- language
- Automatic switching
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
- Version source
- binaries
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan LinuxmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runtime types
- language
- Automatic switching
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
- Version source
- binaries
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trialFree About jEnvVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trialFree About elanVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trialFree About nvmVisit site - Free plan macOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runtime types
- language
- Automatic switching
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
- Version source
- source
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - LinuxmacOSRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial
- WindowsmacOSLinuxRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial
- Free plan macOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trialFree About GVMVisit site - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Project version pinning
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan macOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan macOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - LinuxmacOS
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Runtime types
- language
- Automatic switching
- No
- Project version pinning
- Yes
- Version source
- binaries
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan macOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Runtime types
- language
- Project version pinning
- Yes
- Version source
- binaries
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - macOSLinux
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - Free plan Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial - macOSLinux
- Project version pinning
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree trial
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which runtime version manager is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
SDKMAN! is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 8.4. tenv is second and rustup third.
How many of these have a free plan?
15 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Certifications are listed from the provider's own catalogue with level, role and exam. Platforms are ranked on what each publishes: a free tier or trial, price, certificates offered, the devices it runs on and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.
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