> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://anaconda.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Anaconda Distribution vs. Miniconda

export const GCell = ({children, className}) => <div className={`grid-table-cell ${className || ""}`} role="cell">
    {children}
  </div>;

export const GTH = ({children, className}) => <div className={`grid-table-th ${className || ""}`} role="columnheader">
    {children}
  </div>;

export const GRow = ({children}) => <div className="grid-table-row" role="row">{children}</div>;

export const GBody = ({children}) => <div className="grid-table-body" role="rowgroup">{children}</div>;

export const GHead = ({children}) => <div className="grid-table-head" role="rowgroup">{children}</div>;

export const GTable = ({children, className, cols}) => <div className={`grid-table not-prose overflow-hidden rounded-2xl ${className || ""}`} style={{
  "--grid-table-cols": cols
}} role="table">
    {children}
  </div>;

Anaconda Distribution and Miniconda are both installers that set up <Tooltip tip="An open-source package and environment manager that installs, updates, and removes packages with their dependencies in isolated environments, allowing multiple versions of the same software without conflicts.">conda</Tooltip> and Python on your machine. They give you access to the same package repositories and the same ability to create and manage environments. The difference is what's included when you first install them.

<Note>
  Ready to download? Navigate to [anaconda.com/download](https://www.anaconda.com/download), register with Anaconda, and then select your installer.
</Note>

<GTable cols="45% 30% 25%">
  <GHead>
    <GRow>
      <GTH>Feature</GTH>
      <GTH>Anaconda Distribution</GTH>
      <GTH>Miniconda</GTH>
    </GRow>
  </GHead>

  <GBody>
    <GRow>
      <GTH>Created and published by Anaconda</GTH>
      <GTH>Yes</GTH>
      <GTH>Yes</GTH>
    </GRow>

    <GRow>
      <GTH>Has conda</GTH>
      <GTH>Yes</GTH>
      <GTH>Yes</GTH>
    </GRow>

    <GRow>
      <GTH>Has [Anaconda Navigator](/docs/legacy/anaconda-navigator/main)</GTH>
      <GTH>Yes</GTH>
      <GTH>No</GTH>
    </GRow>

    <GRow>
      <GTH>Packages included</GTH>
      <GTH>600+</GTH>
      <GTH>130+</GTH>
    </GRow>

    <GRow>
      <GTH>Install space required</GTH>
      <GTH>\~9.7 GB</GTH>
      <GTH>\~900 MB</GTH>
    </GRow>
  </GBody>
</GTable>

## Anaconda Distribution

Anaconda Distribution installs [conda](https://docs.conda.io/en/latest), Python, [Anaconda Navigator](/docs/legacy/anaconda-navigator/main), and hundreds of popular data science and machine learning packages into a pre-built `base` environment. This gives you a broad set of tools to start working with right away: you can open a notebook, run an analysis, or experiment with a library without installing anything extra.

Anaconda Distribution is a good fit if you’re early in your data science journey and want a curated set of tools to explore before building out targeted environments, or prefer managing your work through a graphical interface.

See the full list of packages in Anaconda Distribution's [release notes](/docs/getting-started/anaconda/release-notes).

## Miniconda

Miniconda installs only conda, Python, and their dependencies into a minimal `base` environment, with no extra packages and no graphical interface. You start with a clean slate and build each environment from scratch, installing only what your project needs.

This gives you full control over your setup and a much smaller footprint on disk. It also means you need to know which packages to install for your work, or be willing to look them up.
Miniconda is a good fit if you already know which packages your projects require, prefer working from the command line, or need a lightweight starting point for containers, CI/CD pipelines, or other automated workflows.

## Which installer is right for you?

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I'm just starting out and don't know what packages I should use">
    Install Anaconda Distribution! It includes [hundreds of standard data science and machine learning packages](/docs/getting-started/anaconda/release-notes), which will give you a kickstart in your development journey.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm just getting started and don't have much experience at the command line">
    For beginners, Anaconda recommends using Anaconda Distribution. The installer includes Anaconda Navigator, a desktop application that lets you interface with conda without using the command line. You can use Navigator to create environments, install packages, and launch development applications like Jupyter Notebooks and Spyder. For more information on Navigator, see [Getting started with Navigator](/docs/legacy/anaconda-navigator/getting-started).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm comfortable at the command line and know what packages I need">
    For advanced users, Anaconda recommends installing Miniconda.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>