Understanding Ubuntu's Three Package Systems
One of the first things that confuses new Ubuntu users is that there are multiple ways to install the same application. You might find a program available as an apt package, a Snap, and a Flatpak all at once. Which one should you choose? This guide breaks down the differences clearly.
APT (Advanced Package Tool)
APT is Ubuntu's traditional package manager, pulling packages from Ubuntu's official repositories and any PPAs (Personal Package Archives) you've added.
Pros of APT
- Deeply integrated with the system — fastest performance, smallest disk footprint
- Packages are tested for compatibility with your specific Ubuntu version
- Dependencies are shared between applications, saving space
- Works great for system utilities, libraries, and CLI tools
Cons of APT
- App versions in Ubuntu repos can lag significantly behind upstream releases
- Some popular apps aren't available via APT at all
- PPAs add third-party trust and maintenance burden
Best for: System tools, development libraries, CLI utilities, anything where you want tight system integration.
Snap
Snap is Canonical's own universal packaging format, launched with Ubuntu 16.04. Snaps are self-contained bundles served from the Snap Store.
Pros of Snap
- Apps are auto-updated in the background
- Sandboxed for security
- Developers can publish directly to the Snap Store, so apps are often up-to-date
- Works well for server/IoT use cases and confined desktop apps
Cons of Snap
- Longer app startup times due to SquashFS mounting
- Larger installation sizes (each Snap bundles its own runtime)
- Closed infrastructure — the Snap Store is controlled by Canonical
- Desktop integration (fonts, themes) can sometimes feel inconsistent
Best for: Applications where having the latest version matters (browsers, code editors), or where Snap is the only official distribution channel.
Flatpak
Flatpak is a community-driven universal format, with Flathub as its primary app store. It's not installed by default on Ubuntu but is easy to add.
Pros of Flatpak
- Huge app selection via Flathub — often the most current versions
- Excellent desktop theme/font integration compared to Snap
- Open ecosystem — no single company controls it
- Granular permission management via tools like Flatseal
Cons of Flatpak
- Not installed by default on Ubuntu — requires manual setup
- Large runtimes downloaded on first use (though shared across apps)
- Can accumulate unused runtimes over time (clean with
flatpak uninstall --unused)
Best for: Desktop GUI applications, creative tools, and apps where you want the latest version with good desktop integration.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | APT | Snap | Flatpak |
|---|---|---|---|
| App freshness | Often outdated | Up-to-date | Up-to-date |
| Startup speed | Fast | Slower | Moderate |
| Disk usage | Low | High | Moderate–High |
| Sandboxing | No | Yes | Yes |
| Theme integration | Excellent | Variable | Good |
| Pre-installed | Yes | Yes | No |
| App selection | Large | Large | Very large |
The Practical Rule of Thumb
You don't have to pick just one. Most experienced Ubuntu users follow this priority:
- Try APT first — if a current enough version is available, use it.
- Check Flathub for desktop GUI applications — usually the best experience.
- Use Snap when it's the officially supported channel (e.g., Firefox, some server tools).
All three coexist happily on the same Ubuntu system. Mix and match to get the best version of every app you need.