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Snap and Flatpak: Universal Packages

Snap and Flatpak are modern package formats. They work across distributions.

Here's the thing: These are universal packages. Install once. Works everywhere.

Snap​

Install Snap​

# Ubuntu (usually pre-installed)
sudo snap install package-name

# Other distributions
sudo dnf install snapd              # RHEL/CentOS

My take: Snap is Canonical's format. Works on many distributions.

Common Snap Commands​

snap install package-name           # Install
snap remove package-name            # Remove
snap list                           # List installed
snap refresh                       # Update all
snap info package-name              # Package info

Real examples:

sudo snap install code              # VS Code
sudo snap install docker
sudo snap install kubectl

My take: Snap packages are self-contained. Include dependencies.

Flatpak​

Install Flatpak​

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install flatpak

# RHEL/CentOS
sudo dnf install flatpak

Add Repositories​

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

My take: Flatpak needs repositories. Add Flathub. It's the main one.

Common Flatpak Commands​

flatpak install package-name       # Install
flatpak uninstall package-name      # Remove
flatpak list                       # List installed
flatpak update                     # Update all
flatpak info package-name          # Package info

Real examples:

flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
flatpak install flathub com.spotify.Client

My take: Flatpak packages are sandboxed. More secure.

When to Use​

Use Snap/Flatpak when:

  • Package not in distribution repos
  • Need latest version
  • Want universal packages
  • Need sandboxing

Use distribution packages when:

  • Available in repos
  • Want system integration
  • Prefer traditional packages

My take: Use distribution packages first. Use Snap/Flatpak when needed.

Common Mistakes (I've Made These)​

  1. Not adding Flatpak repo: Flatpak needs repositories. Add them first.

  2. Too many package formats: Stick to one or two. Don't mix too many.

  3. Not updating: Snap and Flatpak update separately. Update them.

  4. Disk space: Snap packages can be large. Monitor disk usage.

  5. Permissions: Sandboxed apps have limited permissions. Understand them.

Real-World Examples​

Install VS Code with Snap​

sudo snap install code --classic

Install GIMP with Flatpak​

flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP

What's Next?​

Now that you understand modern packages, let's talk about Building From Source when packages aren't available.

Personal note: I avoided Snap and Flatpak at first. Then I needed a package. Now I use them when needed. They're useful. Learn them.