AppImage, Snap vs Flatpak: A Humble Comparison

Years ago, when it comes to Linux software management, many people get confused --or even scared. It doesn't work like Windows at all. Where are the single executable file to install app on Linux? How do I install app on Linux? Can I install app on Linux without being connected to the internet?

Now people get used to how Linux software management works. There is Android's Play Store where you can install an app, directly from an app store. Linux software management works similar to Android play store. There is an online repository where applications stored, and you have to connect to the internet to retrieve and install them onto your device.

But after years, there are some approaches to create a portable, windows like software management in Linux. The last most popular are AppImage, Snap and Flatpak. This time I want to share my personal experience with those Linux software package formats. As an user.

AppImage

This is what can I say the real portable Linux app. All you need to do is download the file, give an executable permission, run the file by click. Same just like Windows EXE works.

Snap

Snap is a portable, universal software packaging, originally developed by Canonical to use on Linux system. Unlike AppImage, you have to install snap runtime or service on your Linux, and install the snap packages from command line, still similar to traditional APT and or RPM.

Flatpak

Flatpak is kind of similar to Snap. You have to install flatpak runtime to be able to install and run flatpak packages onto your Linux system. You have to type command to install the flatpak packages.

File Size

As an example, I tried Mozilla Firefox in three different format: AppImage, Snap and Flatpak. The AppImage comes with 89 MB, Snap with 87 MB and oddly, Flatpak with 556 MB.

Installation Process

AppImage is the easiest among all. Download the AppImage, give permission, execute. Snap is easy, just like traditional APT/RPM. And Flatpak is the most difficult. I have to re-enter my Linux root password several times, everytime flatpak is installing some kind of dependencies.

Loading Time

Suprisingly, Flatpak loads really fast, just like a native DEB/RPM package. AppImage at the second, and Snap is the slowest.

Personal POV

I ain't a developer, just a regular Linux user. Honestly, among the three, I prefer AppImage to be the easiest portable Linux format to use.

I don't have to install and run additional runtime or service. Everything works just like a standalone executable file. Even though it doesn't have automatic update feature, I still find AppImage is the real winner. For now.

Comments

Q4OS 4.6 "Gemini" Review: A Real Hidden Gem

Distro hopping is a fun adventure. It's a pure joy you can only find in GNU/Linux world. It's a nature you want to escape from what I call 'comfort ecosystem'. You need to play, trying something new even for a few little differences. For a long time I've been using Ubuntu family as my daily driver. The main reason is probably just same as any other Ubuntu user: it's reliable. You can't go wrong with Ubuntu. It works almost in any device, even for the newest one. It is the ultimate Linux distro you can rely on. However, sometimes, you will feel bored. The temptation to flirt with other new distro is unbearable. There are a lot of hot new Linux distros waiting to try. A Real Hidden Gem I've known this distro for a quite long time. At first, it offered Trinity Desktop as the main desktop, which brings me the sweet memories about KDE3. It is simply fast, stable, almost without any issue, and it is based on Debian. I install it on my old machine and I love t...

How To Install Mac OS X Lion Theme On Lubuntu / LXDE

Lubuntu 12.04 with Mac OS X Lion Theme, xcompmgr & cairo-dock [click to enlarge] Mac OS X is the special one in the Desktop market. So many people admire it because of its beauty, safety (yes, it is an UNIX) and its profesional image as “an OS for profesional modern art designer”. Yeah, Mac OS X has beautiful look and I do like its look-n-feel. And so, there are so many theme patcher to make our Microsoft Windows or Linux OS become Mac OS X in the appearance. In Linux Desktop, there are some project specialized in designing theme transformation pack to make our Linux desktop to be looked like Mac OS X. The most popular project probably is Mac4Lin. But, all of those projects was designed only for GNOME or sometimes support XFCE and how about LXDE? Our Star in the current lightweight Linux desktop? (Yes, LXDE is the most light-but-complete Linux desktop for now). Until now, there is no project that officially support LXDE. Basically, LXDE uses gtk (now still stay w...

Download, Install and Play Angry Birds Rio In Ubuntu/Debian Linux

Angry Birds Rio is a spin-off of the new-legendary game Angry Birds. This plot is specially taken from popular animation film Rio, an adventure of a pet Blue macaw bird from US in Brazilian jungle. Based on that successful film, there are some game developers created a spin-off for Angry Birds game called Angry Birds Rio. The good news about this is, there is already a flash version of this game so we could play it in Linux desktop easily using flashplayer (standalone player, or by Internet Browser with flashplayer plugin). And just like what I've done before in Angry Animals game, I've packed this game too into Debian package so we could install it with ease. If you have had installed flashplayer standalone, you don't have to download and install it. But, if you haven't it yet, you have to download the flashplayer standalone to play this game. These are the packages : adobe-flashplayer-standalone-linux_10_i386_debian.deb angrybirds-rio_0.1_i386_debian.deb This is a fre...

NAMAKU TUX

Search This Blog