What's the deal with package managers? Snap, Flatpak?

idh1oi12jkl31jk2bgve3jk12b · June 24, 2020

Hi all.

I am getting about more educated about my OS, and I would really like to try and live with a Linux OS as my main OS (desktop).

Been doing some reading. Coming from Windows 10, I really like what I am seeing in Linux Mint. Not sure why people chose Ubuntu over it, but that's besides the point.

What I don't get is these application package managers. I see that Ubuntu uses Snaps and Mint using something else (although I am not sure what - is it Flatpak?).

Should I choose a distro based on the package manager?

This is very confusing.

I am looking for a simple experience (i recently tried Solus and I could not get Chrome to install on it. The command line is not for me).

Thanks so much!

KaiLikesLinux · June 24, 2020

A good chunk on picking package managers is there in Linux, except Snap and Flatpak. Snaps have their advantages and downfalls, and same with Flatpak. However, both Snap and Flatpak are multi-platform. Linux Mint is a derivative of Ubuntu, and used to also be known as the OS that grew while Ubuntu stagnates, oh how the turn tables. I use Ubuntu, and get access to both Snaps and Flatpaks. Linux Mint has Flatpak by default, while Ubuntu uses Snap by default. If it is picking on the question of if it supports Snap or Flatpak, Ubuntu supports both while Linux Mint is throwing a temper tantrum about Snap. If you need a generic package manager, the ones where the selection of distribution does matter, they both use APT, a DPKG frontend from Debian.

If you want a distribution growing, and not throwing a temper tantrum because they are... not liking something... Ubuntu would be the better option, but you will need to manually install Flatpak.

TL;DR

Usually yes, not 100% in this case.

Worstcaster · June 25, 2020

This helps explain the difference between snaps and flatpacks pretty well.

Snowarch · June 25, 2020

appimige: Like a windows app after download. you right click, make executable, and can click from there. then itd integrsted to system.

snap: like windows app store's netflix. web apps, but they're built into your system's core meaning they update with os and have loops on file system.

flatpak: you can use it for system utilities, like Gpu overclock tool.(may be wrong on this one) and they take more steps to integrate into your system, as they don't loop like the snaps.

Usually apps in ubuntu, can't speak for mint, are in .deb formats. meaning you download a .deb file, then the data in the file will then give a front end/gui to install it. think of the .deb as a " box" for the snap, and the click as a tape remover. or you type "sudo apt install " appname" and it'll do the .deb stuff in one command.