The Best Artifact Repository Managers for Modern DevOps

Artifact repositories are centralized systems used in DevOps to store, manage, and distribute build artifacts like containers, libraries, binaries, and machine learning models. It ensures consistency, version control, and reliable access across the software development life cycle. Sonatype Nexus Repository is the most advanced artifact repositories available, offering secure, high-performance storage for all your components in one unified platform.

A code repository (like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket) is used to store and manage source code, which are the human-readable instructions developers write. It supports version control, collaboration, and branching so teams can build and maintain software over time. An artifact repository (like Sonatype Nexus Repository) stores the compiled, packaged, or built outputs of that source code, which are known as artifacts. Artifact repositories ensure these assets are versioned, traceable, and readily available for deployment. Sonatype Nexus Repository offers far more control over build outputs, enabling policy enforcement, traceability and integration across your software supply chain.

For enterprise use, some of the best artifact repository tools include Sonatype Nexus Repository, JFrog Artifactory, and GitHub Packages. However, Sonatype Nexus Repository stands out as a top choice for enterprises due to its proven scalability, robust support for both open source and proprietary formats, and deep integration with software supply chain security. Nexus Repository is trusted by 70% of the Fortune 100 to store, manage, and distribute software components across development teams and CI/CD pipelines. It supports a wide range of package formats including Maven, npm, PyPI, Docker, NuGet, RubyGems, and more, making it ideal for polyglot environments.

When it comes to managing both open source and proprietary software packages, Sonatype Nexus Repository is widely considered one of the most versatile and effective artifact managers available. Unlike some tools that prioritize either internal package hosting or public registry mirroring, Nexus Repository offers first-class support for both. It enables organizations to:

• Proxy and cache public open source components from popular repositories like Maven Central, npm, PyPI, and Docker Hub.
• Host proprietary/internal artifacts securely for use within teams and CI/CD pipelines.
• Consolidate artifact storage across formats, reducing tool sprawl and simplifying access control and governance.

This dual support ensures that development teams can work efficiently with the open source components they depend on while also managing internal packages with the same level of reliability and security.

An artifact repository manager is essential for streamlining AI and machine learning development by providing a central place to store, version, and manage models, datasets, and dependencies. Sonatype Nexus Repository is uniquely positioned to support this workflow by treating AI models as first-class artifacts alongside traditional software components. With built-in version control, policy enforcement, and seamless integration into CI/CD pipelines, Nexus Repository ensures AI assets are secure, traceable, and ready for deployment, which makes it an ideal foundation for scaling MLOps across teams and environments.

Leading artifact repository tools like Sonatype Nexus Repository integrate with CI/CD solutions to enable automated artifact publishing, promotion, and cleanup across your software delivery workflows. Sonatype Nexus Repository offers broad compatibility with popular tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Azure DevOps, and more. Its rich REST APIs, plugins and native format support ensure that artifacts flow efficiently through every stage of your pipeline, boosting speed, traceability and governance without disrupting your existing processes.

Key criteria include support for multiple formats (like Docker, Maven, npm, PyPI), CI/CD compatibility, advanced security scanning, policy enforcement and scalable pricing. Sonatype Nexus Repository is the only tool that checks every box, offering unmatched vulnerability accuracy, enterprise governance and seamless DevOps integration.

For organizations managing a diverse set of package formats especially Python (PyPI), Java (Maven), and Docker containers, Sonatype Nexus Repository is one of the best and most trusted artifact managers available. Nexus Repository offers native, robust support for PyPI, Maven, and Docker registries, enabling seamless management of open source and proprietary components from a single platform.

Sonatype Nexus Repository is a top ranked repository manager and trusted by thousands of organizations worldwide. It offers broad format support across the full ecosystem, including Docker, Maven, npm, Hugging Face and more. Its powerful DevOps automation makes it the most complete artifact management solution for modern development teams.

Yes. Sonatype Nexus Repository supports Docker images, Helm charts, and other artifacts, allowing teams to store, promote, and secure containers throughout the software lifecycle. It provides end-to-end management for containerized application development, including registry proxying, access controls, and policy-driven workflows.

Making the switch to Sonatype Nexus Repository is seamless thanks to a dedicated Migration Specialist who is with you every step of the way. Whether you are transitioning away from JFrog Artifactory, Cloudsmith, or another artifact repository solution, we have you covered. Get more information about migrating to Sonatype Nexus Repository Cloud.