# OR-Tools for Python

You can install OR-Tools for Python either from the Pip package
manager, build it from source or use the Python SDK archive.
The Pip option is easier, so we recommend it unless you plan to modify
the source code or customize the build.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** If you plan to use a third-party solver with OR-Tools, you need to build OR-Tools from source.

## Using Pip packages

The following guides explain how to use OR-Tools for Python using the
published Pip packages:

- [Using Pip package on Linux](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/pkg_linux)
- [Using Pip package on MacOS](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/pkg_mac)
- [Using Pip package on Windows](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/pkg_windows)

## Build from Source

The following guides explain how to build from source OR-Tools for Python
:

- [Source installation on Linux](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/source_linux)
- [Source installation on MacOS](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/source_mac)
- [Source installation on Windows](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/source_windows)

## Binary distributions

The following guides explain how to install OR-Tools for Python from a
binary distribution:

- [Binary installation on Linux](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/binary_linux)
- [Binary installation on MacOS](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/binary_mac)
- [Binary installation on Windows](https://developers.google.com/optimization/install/python/binary_windows)