The Future of Linux Software: Will Flatpak and Snap Replace Native Desktop Apps?

For decades, Linux distributions have relied on native packaging formats like DEB and RPM to distribute software. These formats are deeply integrated into the Linux ecosystem, tied closely to the distribution’s package manager and system architecture. But over the last few years, two newer technologies—Flatpak and Snap—have emerged, promising a universal packaging model that could revolutionize Linux app distribution.

But are Flatpak and Snap destined to replace native Linux apps entirely? Or are they better seen as complementary solutions addressing long-standing pain points? In this article, we’ll explore the origins, benefits, criticisms, adoption trends, and the future of these packaging formats in the Linux world.

Understanding the Packaging Landscape

What Are Native Packages?

Traditional Linux software is packaged using system-specific formats. For example:

• .deb for Debian-based systems like Ubuntu and Linux Mint

• .rpm for Red Hat-based systems like Fedora and CentOS

These packages are managed by package managers like apt, dnf, or pacman, depending on the distro. They’re tightly integrated with the underlying operating system, often relying on a complex set of shared libraries and system-specific dependencies.

Pros of Native Packaging:

• Smaller package sizes due to shared libraries

• High performance and tight integration

• Established infrastructure and tooling

Cons of Native Packaging:

• Dependency hell: broken packages due to missing or incompatible libraries

• Difficulty in distributing the same app across multiple distros

• Developers must package and test separately for each distro

What Are Flatpak and Snap?

Both Flatpak and Snap aim to solve the distribution problem by allowing developers to package applications once and run them on any major Linux distribution.

Flatpak

• Developed by the GNOME Foundation

• Focus on sandboxing and user privacy

• Applications are installed in user space (no root needed)

• Uses Flathub as the main app repository

Flatpak applications include their own runtime, ensuring that they work consistently across different systems regardless of the host OS’s libraries.

Snap

• Developed and maintained by Canonical, the makers of Ubuntu

• Focus on universal packaging and transactional updates