Comparison table

	chezmoi	dotbot	rcm	vcsh	yadm	bare git
Distribution	Single binary	Python package	Multiple files	Single script or package	Single script	-
Install method	Many	git submodule	Many	Many	Many	Manual
Non-root install on bare system	✅	⁉️	✅	✅	✅	✅
Windows support	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅
Bootstrap requirements	None	Python, git	Bash	sh, git	git	git
Source repos	Single	Single	Multiple	Multiple	Single	Single
dotfiles are...	Files	Symlinks	Symlinks	Files	Files	Files
Config file	Optional	Required	Optional	None	Optional	Optional
Private files	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅	❌
Show differences without applying	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Whole file encryption	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅	❌
Password manager integration	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
Machine-to-machine file differences	Templates	Alternative files	Alternative files	Branches	Alternative files, templates	⁉️
Custom variables in templates	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
Executable files	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
File creation with initial contents	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌
Externals	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
Manage partial files	✅	❌	❌	⁉️	✅	⁉️
File removal	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌
Directory creation	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Run scripts	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Run once scripts	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌
Machine-to-machine symlink differences	✅	❌	❌	⁉️	✅	⁉️
Shell completion	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Archive import	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅
Archive export	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅
Implementation language	Go	Python	Bash	POSIX Shell	Bash	C

✅ Supported, ⁉️ Possible with significant manual effort, ❌ Not supported

For more comparisons, visit dotfiles.github.io/utilities.