> ## 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.

# Choosing between Anaconda Distribution and 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>;

Both Anaconda Distribution and Miniconda include <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>, but they differ in what's pre-installed.

* **Anaconda Distribution** is a comprehensive installer optimized for data science and AI workflows with hundreds of packages automatically included, plus Anaconda Navigator.
* **Miniconda** is a lightweight version that includes only conda, Python, and their dependencies.

<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](/tools/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>

### Watch: Anaconda Distribution vs Miniconda

<div class="video">
  <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3GjrIuiGxX8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" enablejsapi="true" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; fullscreen" allowfullscreen />
</div>

### 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](/getting-started/anaconda/main), 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](/tools/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. For more information, see the [Miniconda documentation](/getting-started/miniconda/main).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Installation guides

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Install Anaconda Distribution" href="/getting-started/anaconda/install/overview" icon="boxes-stacked" />

  <Card title="Install Miniconda" href="/getting-started/miniconda/install/overview" icon="box-taped" />
</CardGroup>