The Ultimate Guide to Universal Linux Apps: Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage

📰 Dev.to · Zil Norvilis

Learn how to use Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage to install and manage universal Linux apps

intermediate Published 6 Apr 2026

Action Steps

Install Snap using the command 'sudo apt install snapd' to enable snap package management
Configure Flatpak by running 'sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo' to add the Flathub repository
Download and run an AppImage file to test its functionality
Compare the features and limitations of Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage to choose the best option for your needs
Build a custom Snap or Flatpak package for your favorite app using their respective tools and documentation

Who Needs to Know This

Developers and DevOps engineers can benefit from this guide to streamline app installation and management on Linux systems

Key Insight

💡 Universal Linux apps can be easily installed and managed using Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage, making Linux more user-friendly

Key Takeaways

Learn how to use Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage to install and manage universal Linux apps

Very often I find myself remembering the "bad old days" of Linux. If you wanted to install a simple...