shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use PyPI?

The Python Package Index (PyPI) is a repository of software for the Python programming language. - pypi.org

Worth it. If you write Python, you use PyPI — it's the default package index and it's free. Enterprises with security requirements should pair it with vetting or a curated mirror, not skip it.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~20 public sources: official docs, G2, Reddit threads, and security research.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

Free

Public

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Organization$5 per member/month

Best for

  • Python developers publishing packages
  • Teams standardizing pip-based dependencies
  • Open-source maintainers
  • AI/ML teams pulling Python libraries

Not for

  • Enterprises needing pre-vetted, curated packages — use a hardened mirror
  • Anyone treating it as generic binary storage — discouraged by the community
  • Non-Python teams — wrong ecosystem entirely
  • Buyers wanting support SLAs — it's volunteer-run infrastructure

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

No package vetting before publish — vetting is entirely on you

medium

Phishing campaigns impersonate PyPI; verify URLs before logging in

medium

Paid org tier is recent; community worries about neutrality drift

low

Org pricing is per member, so costs scale with team size

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free, default package index for the Python ecosystem
  • Over a million registered users
  • Organization accounts add member management and permissions
  • Dedicated security team and public advisory database
  • Trusted Publishing supported for secure uploads

Cons

  • Compromised litellm package delivered credential stealer
  • Malicious packages have delivered RATs to users
  • Phishing attacks targeted PyPI users in 2025
  • Volunteers struggle to meet demand

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/22/2026 - 11 sources - Active registry with a security team, but recurring supply-chain incidents and phishing attacks make package vetting mandatory.

official x4review x3security x3news x1
  • litellm PyPI package compromised, Compromised package delivered a multi-stage credential stealer targeting cloud and crypto keys.
  • Malicious packages delivered SilentSync RAT, Zscaler documented malicious PyPI packages distributing a remote access trojan.
  • Phishing attack on PyPI users, PyPI published an incident report on a 2025 phishing campaign against users.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • Free

    Starting price

  • 11

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Free for public use; orgs pay $5/member
  • Ease of use: 4/5. Default registry; pip installs from it directly
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Org accounts, trusted publishing, advisory database
  • Support quality: 2/5. Volunteer-run; struggles to meet demand
  • Security posture: 2/5. Recurring malicious packages, breaches, phishing
  • 4.4/5 G2 rating 12 reviews
  • $5/member/mo Starting price org accounts; public use free
  • Yes Free tier public index is a free service
  • 1,116,375 Users registered PyPI users

Pricing

Public

Free

  • Unlimited public packages
  • Core Python publishing

Organization

$5 per member/month

  • Member management
  • Team permissions

Security

Active registry with a security team, but recurring supply-chain incidents and phishing attacks make package vetting mandatory.

  • litellm PyPI package compromisedCompromised package delivered a multi-stage credential stealer targeting cloud and crypto keys.⁷
  • Malicious packages delivered SilentSync RATZscaler documented malicious PyPI packages distributing a remote access trojan.⁸
  • Phishing attack on PyPI usersPyPI published an incident report on a 2025 phishing campaign against users.⁹

What users say

Python developers treat PyPI as essential infrastructure while openly worrying about package safety and malware.

“They are not safe.”
Reddit, r/Python

Alternatives

Compare PyPI with each alternative.

  • Conda

    Alternative package manager favored for data science dependencies

    PyPI vs Conda

  • Self-hosted PyPI server

    Private mirror for teams needing control over packages

  • Chainguard Python libraries

    Hardened, curated Python packages to avoid supply chain attacks

  • TuxCare SecureChain

    Screened PyPI alternative; packages vetted before pip

Full analysis

Based on ~20 public sources: official docs, G2, Reddit threads, and security research.

Free, essential Python package registry. Use it, but vet packages — supply chain attacks are real.

Methodology

Based on ~20 public sources: official docs, G2, Reddit threads, and security research.

Sources

  1. PyPI - The Python Package Indexpypi.org
    official
  2. PyPI - GitHubgithub.com
    official
  3. Organization Pricing and Payment Termsdocs.pypi.org
    official
  4. PyPI Products | G2 Reviewsg2.com
    review
  5. Pypi Packages safe? : r/Pythonreddit.com
    review
  6. How safe are PyPi packages? : r/learnpythonreddit.com
    review
  7. Compromised litellm PyPI Package Exposes AI Systemssonatype.com
    security
  8. Malicious PyPI Packages Deliver SilentSync RATzscaler.com
    security
  9. Incident Report: Phishing Attackblog.pypi.org
    security
  10. PyPI repository takes steps towards paid servicesdevclass.com
    news
  11. Conda vs. PyPIdocs.metaflow.org
    official

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