Rye vs uv: Python Toolchains from Astral
Rye and uv are both Astral projects; uv has become the recommended all-in-one tool, and uv now provides the install/resolve engine Rye uses.
Rye was an experimental all-in-one Python project manager (versions, virtualenvs, dependencies). uv grew into a faster, broader tool and Astral now steers new users toward uv, with Rye built on top of uv internals.
| Rye | uv | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintainer | Astral | Astral |
| Scope | Project + Python version management | Installs, locks, projects, Python versions |
| Engine | Uses uv under the hood | The engine itself |
| Recommended direction | Stable, but uv is the future path | Actively recommended for new projects |
| Speed | Fast (via uv) | Fast (native Rust) |
Where each fits
If you already run Rye and it works, there is no urgency to move; it remains functional and uses uv internally. For new projects, Astral guidance points to uv, which now covers the same ground (Python version management, project workflows, locking) in one tool that is developing quickly.
Migration
Both center on pyproject.toml, so moving a Rye project to uv is usually mechanical: adopt uv sync, uv run, and uv.lock. Validate that any Rye-specific scripts or pinned Python versions carry over.
The verdict
For new work, prefer uv: it is the tool Astral is investing in and consolidates the same features. Keep Rye if it is already embedded in your workflow and stable; plan an eventual move to uv rather than expanding Rye usage.