What SOAP client libraries exist for Python, and where is the documentation for them?

Question

I've never used SOAP before and I'm sort of new to Python. I'm doing this to get myself acquainted with both technologies. I've installed SOAPlib and I've tried to read their Client documentation, but I don't understand it too well. Is there anything else I can look into which is more suited for being a SOAP Client library for Python?

Edit: Just in case it helps, I'm using Python 2.6.

Answer 1

Update (2016):

If you only need SOAP client, there is well maintained library called zeep. It supports both Python 2 and 3 :)

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Update:

Additionally to what is mentioned above, I will refer to Python WebServices page which is always up-to-date with all actively maintained and recommended modules to SOAP and all other webservice types.

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Unfortunately, at the moment, I don't think there is a "best" Python SOAP library. Each of the mainstream ones available has its own pros and cons.

Older libraries:

• SOAPy: Was the "best," but no longer maintained. Does not work on Python 2.5+

• ZSI: Very painful to use, and development is slow. Has a module called "SOAPpy", which is different than SOAPy (above).

"Newer" libraries:

• SUDS: Very Pythonic, and easy to create WSDL-consuming SOAP clients. Creating SOAP servers is a little bit more difficult. (This package does not work with Python3. For Python3 see SUDS-py3)

• SUDS-py3: The Python3 version of SUDS

• spyne: Creating servers is easy, creating clients a little bit more challenging. Documentation is somewhat lacking.

• ladon: Creating servers is much like in soaplib (using a decorator). Ladon exposes more interfaces than SOAP at the same time without extra user code needed.

• pysimplesoap: very lightweight but useful for both client and server - includes a web2py server integration that ships with web2py.

• SOAPpy: Distinct from the abandoned SOAPpy that's hosted at the ZSI link above, this version was actually maintained until 2011, now it seems to be abandoned too.
• soaplib: Easy to use python library for writing and calling soap web services. Webservices written with soaplib are simple, lightweight, work well with other SOAP implementations, and can be deployed as WSGI applications.
• osa: A fast/slim easy to use SOAP python client library.

Of the above, I've only used SUDS personally, and I liked it a lot.