Mise vs rbenv: Comparing Ruby Version Management Tools

Ruby developers have relied on rbenv for over a decade to manage multiple Ruby versions across projects. While rbenv remains a solid choice for Ruby-focused work, Mise offers a different approach by handling Ruby alongside other languages and adding environment management to version switching.

This comparison examines how each tool manages Ruby installations and project configurations to help you decide which fits your development setup.

What is rbenv?

rbenv provides lightweight Ruby version management without the complexity of earlier tools like RVM. Created in 2011, rbenv intercepts Ruby commands using shims and delegates them to the appropriate Ruby installation based on your current directory.

The tool operates by inserting a shim directory at the front of your PATH. When you run ruby, gem, or bundle, rbenv's shims determine which Ruby version to use by reading configuration files. This approach avoids modifying your shell's built-in functions, keeping the implementation simple and predictable.

rbenv focuses solely on Ruby. If you develop full-stack applications using Ruby for the backend and JavaScript for the frontend, you'll install separate version managers like nvm or volta, each adding its own shell initialization time and command syntax.

What is Mise?

Mise manages Ruby, Node.js, Python, and many other languages through a unified interface. Built in Rust for speed, Mise reads existing .ruby-version files from rbenv while adding environment variable scoping and task running to basic version management.

The tool emerged from frustration with maintaining multiple version managers. Rather than learning different commands for rbenv, nvm, pyenv, and other tools, Mise uses consistent syntax across all languages. This reduces the mental overhead of switching between project types.

Mise extends beyond selecting Ruby versions. The same configuration file that specifies Ruby 3.3.0 can also set environment variables like DATABASE_URL and define tasks that run with the correct Ruby version active. This consolidation means fewer tools fighting for shell resources.

Quick Comparison

Installation and setup

rbenv requires cloning the repository and manually setting up your shell:

git clone https://github.com/rbenv/rbenv.git ~/.rbenv
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.rbenv/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
echo 'eval "$(rbenv init -)"' >> ~/.bashrc

You'll also need ruby-build to actually install Ruby versions:

git clone https://github.com/rbenv/ruby-build.git ~/.rbenv/plugins/ruby-build

Most package managers provide rbenv and ruby-build together, simplifying installation:

# On macOS with Homebrew
brew install rbenv ruby-build

After installation, restart your shell or source your configuration file before using rbenv commands.

Mise offers a single-command installation:

curl https://mise.run | sh

You can also install through Homebrew, apt, or other package managers. Add shell activation to your configuration:

echo 'eval "$(mise activate bash)"' >> ~/.bashrc

Unlike rbenv, Mise includes Ruby installation capabilities without requiring separate plugins. The activation completes faster than rbenv's initialization due to its compiled implementation.

Installing Ruby versions

rbenv lists and installs Ruby versions through the ruby-build plugin:

# List all available Ruby versions
rbenv install --list

# Install a specific version
rbenv install 3.3.0

# Set global default
rbenv global 3.3.0

# Set local project version
rbenv local 3.3.0

The rbenv local command creates a .ruby-version file in your current directory. When you navigate to this directory later, rbenv automatically uses the specified version through its shim system.

Mise uses similar commands with its own syntax:

# List available Ruby versions
mise ls-remote ruby

# Install a version
mise install ruby@3.3.0

# Set global version
mise use --global ruby@3.3

# Set project version
mise use ruby@3.3

The mise use command creates or updates .mise.toml in your project. Mise switches Ruby versions automatically when you enter directories containing this file. The switching happens instantly as you navigate your filesystem.

Project configuration

rbenv relies on .ruby-version files to specify project Ruby versions:

echo "3.3.0" > .ruby-version

These files work hierarchically. If rbenv finds a .ruby-version in the current directory, it uses that version. Otherwise, it walks up the directory tree searching for the nearest configuration file until reaching your home directory or finding a match.

This simple text file format makes .ruby-version easy to read and version control. Most Ruby tools recognize this format, including Bundler, which can verify your Ruby version matches project requirements.

Mise also reads .ruby-version files directly without conversion. You can continue using existing rbenv configurations:

# Mise automatically detects and uses .ruby-version
cd my-rails-project
ruby --version  # Uses version from .ruby-version

Alternatively, create a .mise.toml file for additional configuration:

[tools]
ruby = "3.3.0"

This TOML format supports more than version numbers. You can specify multiple languages, environment variables, and tasks in the same file.

Handling gems and bundler

rbenv doesn't manage gems directly. After switching Ruby versions, you install gems using the standard gem command:

rbenv local 3.3.0
gem install bundler
bundle install

Each Ruby version maintains its own gem directory. Installing gems under Ruby 3.3.0 doesn't affect gems in Ruby 3.2.0. This isolation prevents version conflicts but means reinstalling common gems like bundler for each Ruby version.

rbenv includes a rehash system that updates shims when you install gems with executable commands:

gem install rails
rbenv rehash  # Create shim for rails command

Recent rbenv versions automatically rehash after gem installation, but you may still need manual rehashing occasionally.

Mise takes the same approach to gem management. After switching Ruby versions with Mise, you use standard gem commands:

mise use ruby@3.3.0
gem install bundler
bundle install

Like rbenv, each Ruby version managed by Mise maintains separate gem directories. The difference lies in Mise's automatic version switching, which ensures the correct Ruby runs without manual intervention.

Working across multiple languages

rbenv exclusively manages Ruby. Rails applications typically need Node.js for asset compilation and JavaScript tooling. You'll install a separate Node.js version manager:

# Install nvm for Node.js
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash

# Configure both in your shell
eval "$(rbenv init -)"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"

Each version manager adds shell initialization overhead. Opening a new terminal loads rbenv, then nvm, then any other version managers you've installed. The cumulative delay becomes noticeable with multiple tools active.

Mise manages Ruby, Node.js, Python, and other languages through one interface:

mise install ruby@3.3.0
mise install node@22.0.0
mise install python@3.12.0

Configure all languages in a single file:

[tools]
ruby = "3.3.0"
node = "22.0.0"

This unified approach reduces shell startup time and command variety. Whether switching Ruby or Node.js versions, you use the same mise use command and the same configuration format.

Environment variable scoping

rbenv doesn't handle environment variables. Ruby projects typically manage variables through:

• .env files loaded by gems like dotenv
• Shell exports in .bashrc or .zshrc
• Separate tools like direnv for directory-specific variables

Using direnv alongside rbenv requires coordinating two tools:

# .envrc file for direnv
export DATABASE_URL="postgresql://localhost/myapp"
export REDIS_URL="redis://localhost:6379"

# Separate .ruby-version for rbenv
3.3.0

Mise combines version management and environment configuration:

[tools]
ruby = "3.3.0"

[env]
DATABASE_URL = "postgresql://localhost/myapp"
REDIS_URL = "redis://localhost:6379"
RAILS_ENV = "development"

These variables activate when entering the project directory and deactivate when leaving. The scoping prevents accidentally using development credentials in production projects without running multiple tools.

Task automation

rbenv provides no task running features. Ruby developers typically use:

• Rake tasks defined in Rakefile
• Bundler's bundle exec for running commands
• Makefiles for non-Ruby tasks
• Shell scripts for complex workflows

A typical Ruby project might have multiple task systems:

# Rakefile
task :test do
  sh "bundle exec rspec"
end

task :lint do
  sh "bundle exec rubocop"
end

Mise includes task definitions alongside tool configuration:

[tools]
ruby = "3.3.0"

[tasks.test]
run = "bundle exec rspec"
description = "Run test suite"

[tasks.lint]
run = "bundle exec rubocop"
description = "Run RuboCop linter"

[tasks.setup]
run = ["bundle install", "rails db:setup"]
description = "Set up the project"

Running mise run test executes the task with the correct Ruby version and all environment variables active. This ensures consistent execution across team members without documenting setup procedures separately.

Plugin ecosystems

rbenv supports plugins that extend its functionality. Popular plugins include:

• ruby-build: Installs Ruby versions (essential for rbenv)
• rbenv-gemset: Creates project-specific gem sets
• rbenv-bundler: Speeds up Bundler integration
• rbenv-vars: Manages environment variables

Installing plugins requires cloning repositories into ~/.rbenv/plugins/ or using package managers that bundle plugins with rbenv.

Mise maintains compatibility with asdf plugins, giving it access to hundreds of tools beyond its built-in support. Installing a plugin:

# Install a tool via asdf plugin
mise plugin install postgres https://github.com/smashedtoatoms/asdf-postgres

# Use it like any other tool
mise install postgres@16.1

This plugin compatibility expands Mise beyond programming languages to databases, CLI tools, and other development dependencies. However, Mise's built-in support for common languages performs better than plugin-based installations.

Compatibility between tools

rbenv projects work immediately with Mise. The .ruby-version file format is identical, so Mise reads existing configurations without conversion:

# Existing rbenv project
cd my-rails-app
cat .ruby-version  # 3.3.0

# Works with Mise immediately
mise current ruby  # ruby 3.3.0

This compatibility means adopting Mise doesn't require changing existing projects. Team members can continue using rbenv while you use Mise with the same repositories.

The reverse also works. If you create a .ruby-version file with Mise, rbenv reads it correctly. This bidirectional compatibility reduces friction during tool transitions.

Community and documentation

rbenv has served the Ruby community since 2011. The tool has extensive documentation, thousands of GitHub stars, and solutions to common problems available across Stack Overflow and Ruby forums.

Most Ruby tutorials and guides mention rbenv as the recommended version manager. The widespread adoption means you'll find help easily when encountering issues.

Development has slowed in recent years as rbenv reached maturity. The core functionality remains stable, but new features appear infrequently. The plugin ecosystem continues evolving to address specific needs.

Mise has a smaller but active community. Created more recently, the tool gains users from developers managing multiple languages. Development remains active with regular releases addressing feedback.

Mise documentation covers Ruby usage well, though you'll sometimes need to search GitHub issues for advanced scenarios. The smaller community means fewer tutorials specifically about Mise compared to rbenv's extensive coverage.

Migration considerations

Switching from rbenv to Mise requires minimal changes. Your existing .ruby-version files continue working, and gem installations remain intact:

# Install Mise
curl https://mise.run | sh

# Activate in shell
eval "$(mise activate bash)"

# Existing rbenv projects work immediately
cd my-project
ruby --version  # Uses version from .ruby-version

You can keep rbenv installed during the transition. Mise reads the same configuration files, so both tools coexist without conflicts. This lets you test Mise thoroughly before committing to the switch.

Moving from Mise back to rbenv works equally well since Mise uses standard .ruby-version files by default. The .mise.toml format provides additional features, but you can stick with .ruby-version files if maintaining tool flexibility matters.

Final thoughts

Both rbenv and Mise handle Ruby version management reliably, and the best choice depends on your development needs. If your work is primarily focused on Ruby, rbenv provides a simple and proven solution. Its stability and long-standing reputation in the Ruby community make it a natural fit for projects that do not require cross-language support.

If your work spans multiple languages such as Node.js or Python, Mise offers a more integrated approach. Its consistent interface across different environments helps reduce complexity, making it especially useful for teams managing diverse technology stacks.

In many cases, the two tools can even complement each other. Since their configuration formats are compatible, you can adopt Mise gradually while continuing to rely on rbenv, allowing for a smooth transition without forcing immediate changes across your projects or team.

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