macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install lz4local Homebrew formula metadata
MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install lz4MacPorts ports tree · archivers/lz4/Portfile · source: api.github.com
brew
Install lz4 with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, scoop, zypper
Extremely Fast Compression algorithm. Version 1.10.0 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add lz4Alpine Linux edge package indexes · lz4 · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install liblz4-1Debian stable package indexes · liblz4-1 · source: deb.debian.org
Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install lz4Fedora Rawhide package metadata · lz4 · source: dl.fedoraproject.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#lz4nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/lz/lz4/package.nix · source: api.github.com
Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S lz4Arch Linux sync databases · lz4 · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com
openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install liblz4-1openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · liblz4-1 · source: download.opensuse.org
Windows
Scoopverified · 92%
scoop install main/lz4Scoop official bucket manifest trees · bucket/lz4.json · source: api.github.com
overview
Package summary
Extremely Fast Compression algorithm
Project links
Commands and aliases
- lz4
- lz4c
- lz4cat
- unlz4
history
Project history and usage
LZ4 is a lossless compression format, C library, and command-line tool centered on very high compression and decompression throughput. The official project describes it as an algorithm with compression above 500 MB/s per core and a decoder that can run in the multiple-GB/s-per-core range, with LZ4_HC available when users want a slower but denser high-compression mode.
Project history
The reference implementation is associated with Yann Collet and dates to the early 2010s; the official library license carries a 2011 copyright line. The project settled into the familiar Unix package shape of a small C library plus CLI programs such as lz4, unlz4, lz4cat, and legacy-compatible lz4c.
LZ4's upstream history is unusually important for package maintainers because the format became embedded below the application layer: libraries, storage systems, language bindings, kernels, databases, and transport protocols all wanted a very fast, low-latency compressor. Later releases kept that core identity while expanding the production surface, including official frame-format support, dictionary APIs, and, in the v1.10.0 release, multithreaded compression work aimed at modern multi-core and high-throughput storage systems.
Adoption history
LZ4 became a default packaging candidate because it fills a practical niche that gzip, bzip2, and xz do not: fast enough for hot paths, simple enough to vendor, and portable enough for every Unix-like distribution. The input package facts show it packaged across Homebrew, Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Alpine, MacPorts, Nix, Scoop, and openSUSE-style ecosystems.
In package-manager culture, LZ4 is often installed less as an end-user archiver and more as infrastructure: a build dependency, a runtime shared library, or a fast compressor used by other tools. That makes ABI stability, CLI compatibility, and the distinction between raw blocks and framed .lz4 files recurring concerns for maintainers.
How it is used
The lz4 command compresses and decompresses files, while unlz4 and lz4cat provide decompression-oriented entry points. Users pick it when speed is more important than maximum compression ratio, especially for logs, caches, temporary artifacts, backup pipelines, and data streams.
Developers usually consume liblz4 directly for in-memory buffers or the LZ4 frame API when data needs a self-describing stream format. High-compression mode is useful for precompressed assets, but the package's everyday reputation comes from the fast path.
Why package nerds care
LZ4 is a package nerd staple because it is a small C project with huge transitive reach. It shows up as both a leaf CLI and a dependency of larger systems, so distributions care about symbol versions, shared-library packaging, test vectors, frame-format compatibility, and whether downstreams accidentally mix raw LZ4 blocks with framed files.
It also marks a generational shift in compression packaging: instead of treating compression as a storage-only tradeoff, LZ4 made compression cheap enough to appear in latency-sensitive runtime paths.
Timeline
- 2011: liblz4 copyright era begins in the official source tree.
- 2010s: LZ4 spreads from a standalone compressor into Unix package repositories and system libraries.
- 2024: v1.10.0 adds major multithreading work and promotes dictionary compression support.
Related projects
- LZ4_HC is the high-compression variant shipped with the same upstream project.
- lz4-java, python-lz4, and similar bindings expose the format to language ecosystems.
- Zstandard is another Yann Collet compression project, optimized for a different speed/ratio point.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: blue
broad file, network, media, or database tool signal.
Risk classifier
blue risk · medium confidence · tool
Why
- broad file, network, media, or database tool signal
Signals
- text:compress
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 12 platform targets.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
lz4 | cli | global executable | |
lz4c | cli | global executable | |
lz4cat | cli | global executable | |
unlz4 | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-07-08
manager version1.10.0
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detectedv1.10.0
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:lz4 |
|---|---|
| Version | 1.10.0 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/lz4 |
| Homepage | https://lz4.github.io/lz4/ |
| Repository | https://github.com/lz4/lz4 |
| Upstream docs | https://github.com/lz4/lz4#readme |
| License | BSD-2-Clause |
| Source archive | https://github.com/lz4/lz4/archive/refs/tags/v1.10.0.tar.gz |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, monterey, sequoia, sonoma, tahoe, ventura, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | lz4 |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Head Version | HEAD |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source database matches
Other package-manager records
Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.
Debian apt95%
liblz4-1 1.10.0-4
Fast LZ compression algorithm library - runtime
sudo apt install liblz4-1- Section: libs
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: lz4
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
Debian apt95%
liblz4-dev 1.10.0-4
Fast LZ compression algorithm library - development files
sudo apt install liblz4-dev- Section: libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: lz4
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
Debian apt95%
lz4 1.10.0-4
Fast LZ compression algorithm library - tool
sudo apt install lz4- Section: utils
- Architecture: amd64
- 3 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
Nix95%
lz4
nix profile install nixpkgs#lz4- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
Ubuntu apt95%
liblz4-1 1.9.4-1build1
Fast LZ compression algorithm library - runtime
sudo apt install liblz4-1- Section: libs
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: lz4
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
Ubuntu apt95%
liblz4-dev 1.9.4-1build1
Fast LZ compression algorithm library - development files
sudo apt install liblz4-dev- Section: libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: lz4
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
Ubuntu apt95%
liblz4-tool 1.9.4-1build1
Fast LZ compression algorithm library - transitional package
sudo apt install liblz4-tool- Section: universe/utils
- Architecture: all
- Source Package: lz4
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
Ubuntu apt95%
lz4 1.9.4-1build1
Fast LZ compression algorithm library - tool
sudo apt install lz4- Section: universe/utils
- Architecture: amd64
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
apk95%
lz4 1.10.0-r1
LZ4 is lossless compression algorithm with fast decoder @ multiple GB/s per core.
sudo apk add lz4- License: BSD-2-Clause AND GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: lz4
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
apk95%
lz4-dev 1.10.0-r1
LZ4 is lossless compression algorithm with fast decoder @ multiple GB/s per core. (development files)
sudo apk add lz4-dev- License: BSD-2-Clause AND GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: lz4
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
apk95%
lz4-doc 1.10.0-r1
LZ4 is lossless compression algorithm with fast decoder @ multiple GB/s per core. (documentation)
sudo apk add lz4-doc- License: BSD-2-Clause AND GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: lz4
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
apk95%
lz4-libs 1.10.0-r1
LZ4 is lossless compression algorithm with fast decoder @ multiple GB/s per core. (libraries)
sudo apk add lz4-libs- License: BSD-2-Clause AND GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: lz4
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
apk95%
lz4-static 1.10.0-r1
LZ4 is lossless compression algorithm with fast decoder @ multiple GB/s per core. (static library)
sudo apk add lz4-static- License: BSD-2-Clause AND GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: lz4
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
apk95%
lz4-tests 1.10.0-r1
LZ4 is lossless compression algorithm with fast decoder @ multiple GB/s per core. (tests)
sudo apk add lz4-tests- License: BSD-2-Clause AND GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: lz4
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
dnf95%
lz4 1.10.0-4.fc44
Extremely fast compression algorithm
sudo dnf install lz4- License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND BSD-2-Clause
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: lz4
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
dnf95%
lz4-devel 1.10.0-4.fc44
Development files for lz4
sudo dnf install lz4-devel- License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND BSD-2-Clause
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: lz4
- 3 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Lz4
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated package history
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment