a lot of Python packages contain parts written in native code (often C or Rust) for performance reasons. pip _can_ compile the code at install-time if your PC

a lot of Python packages contain parts written in native code (often C or Rust) for performance reasons. pip _can_ compile the code at install-time if your PC has the right build tools -- or it can download pre-built binaries for your host in the form of a "wheel". pypi has a little more metadata than a git repo, and a place to host version-controlled binaries.