Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Vex, a new way to run things in Python's virtualenvs

Run commands in a virtualenv

Vex is a tool that runs commands within Python virtual environments without activating them or modifying the current shell. It serves as an alternative to virtualenv's activate/deactivate commands and… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Vex, a new way to run things in Python's virtualenvs launched in 2014; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Proxmox VE Helper Scripts▲238

   Community-driven scripts that simplify the setup of Proxmox Virtual Environment. Over 400+ scripts to help you manage your homelab.

   2024 · community-scripts.github.io · its alternatives →

2. 2VM
   Virtual Machines in the Browser▲281

   2013 · blog.grunseid.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   #!/usr/bin/env docker run▲496

   #!/usr/bin/env docker run. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

   2024 · gist.github.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Virtualenv-mv – Move (rename) Python virtualenvs▲42

   Move (rename) Python virtualenvs. Contribute to brbsix/virtualenv-mv development by creating an account on GitHub.

   2016 · github.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Veros, a high-performance ocean simulator in pure Python▲41

   The versatile ocean simulator, in pure Python, powered by JAX. - team-ocean/veros

   2018 · github.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Python virtual environment, but backed by Docker▲78

   Python virtual environment, but backed by Docker! Contribute to se7entyse7en/pydockenv development by creating an account on GitHub.

   2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Pvm – A TUI to browse and run commands across multiple Python venvs▲14

   A fast CLI to discover, alias, and run Python virtual environments — with an interactive TUI - Higangssh/pvm

   Apr 2026 · github.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Dotenv, if it is a Unix utility▲225

   I like the idea of using dotenv files, but I dislike having to use different language-specific libraries to read them. To solve this, I created a small utility that lets you prefix any command with "dotenv" to load the ".env" file. This is how I imagine dotenv would work if it had started as a UNIX utility rather than a Node.js library.

   2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Vet – A tool for safely running remote shell scripts▲89

   vet — A safer way to run remote scripts.

   2025 · getvet.sh · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Veeer▲317

    A lightweight window manager for your OSX.

    2018 · veeer.io · its alternatives →

11. 11
    VVK▲118

    Generate shell commands in your terminal with AI

    2025 · vvk.ai · its alternatives →

12. 12VM
    Vespene – My new Python CI/CD and automation server written in Django▲180

    2018 · docs.vespene.io · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Run Python, Ruby, Node.js, C++, Lua in the Browser via x86 to WASM JIT▲171

    Linux virtual machine, running in the browser via HTML5/WebAssembly. Networking and graphics supported.

    2021 · repl.leaningtech.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    krunvm – Create and run lightweight VMs from OCI images▲82

    Create microVMs from OCI images. Contribute to slp/krunvm development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2021 · github.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Katakate – Dozens of VMs per node for safe code exec▲124

    I've built this to make it easy to host your own infra for lightweight VMs at large scale. Intended for exec of AI-generated code, for CICD runners, or for off-chain AI DApps. Mainly to avoid Docker-in-Docker dangers and mess. Super easy to use with CLI / Python SDK, friendly to AI engs who usually don't like to mess with VM orchestration and networking too much. Defense-in-depth philosophy. Would love to get feedback (and contributors: clear & exciting roadmap!), thx

    2025 · github.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    I built a WASI playground for running CLI binaries in the browser▲115

    Run WebAssembly made for outside the browser, inside the browser.

    2022 · runno.dev · its alternatives →

17. 17PV
    Proxmox VE Helper Scripts: Make managing your homelab a breeze▲21

    2024 · proxmox-helper-scripts.vercel.app · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Pythonpy – the swiss army knife of the command line▲220

    2014 · github.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Run – a CLI universal code runner I built while learning Rust▲96

    Hi HN — I’m learning Rust and decided to build a universal CLI for running code in many languages. The tool, Run, aims to be a single, minimal dependency utility for: running one-off snippets (from CLI flags), running files, reading and executing piped stdin, and providing language-specific REPLs that you can switch between interactively. I designed it to support both interpreted languages (Python, JS, Ruby, etc.) and compiled languages (Rust, Go, C/C++). It detects languages from flags or file extensions, can compile temporary files for compiled languages, and exposes a unified REPL…

    2025 · github.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Runno▲148

    Make embeddable code snippets that run in the browser

    2021 · runno.dev · its alternatives →

21. 21PV
    Proxmox VE Helper Scripts: Make managing your homelab a breeze▲22

    2024 · proxmoxve-scripts.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Manage Python Virtual Environment with a Makefile▲13

    Seamlessly manage Python virtual environment with a Makefile - sio/Makefile.venv

    2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Vy – a powerful but retro and minimalist IDE▲143

    A vim-like in Python. Contribute to vyapp/vy development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

24. 24XV
    Xs-vm – A small virtual machine written in Python▲34

    2015 · gedrap.github.io · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →