To install software on Ubuntu, open App Center for a graphical install, use APT for Debian packages in the terminal, install Flatpak after adding a remote such as Flathub, or download and run an AppImage. There is no best format for every app: use a trusted source and consider how that specific package updates, what access it gets, and how it integrates with Ubuntu.
Install an app from Ubuntu App Center
- Open App Center from the Dock, or search for Software in Activities.
- Search for the app or browse categories, then select it.
- Choose Install and authenticate with your password if prompted.
Ubuntu’s current documentation says App Center provides Snap and Debian packages and shows Snaps by default. If an app is available in both formats, the Snap is listed first. See Ubuntu’s application installation instructions.
Install a Debian package with APT
APT installs packages from configured repositories. In a terminal, refresh the local package index and then install the package by its repository name:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install <package-name>apt update refreshes package information; it does not install an app by itself. To install a downloaded .deb file with APT, use its path, including ./ when the file is in the current directory:
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sudo apt install ./<package>.debDeb packages commonly share system libraries and integrate closely with Ubuntu. Their app versions are often tied to the Ubuntu release, and they have full access to system resources. Shared dependencies can mean less disk use than a Snap, though the actual result varies by application. Security updates for deb packages are installed automatically by default; other updates can be applied with Software Updater. Ubuntu explains these differences in its Snap and deb packages guide.
Install a Snap
Snap is Canonical’s package format and is preinstalled on Ubuntu. Install a Snap from the terminal with:
sudo snap install <package-name>Ubuntu’s documented default is for Snaps to update daily. They are released independently of Ubuntu releases, so an app may be newer than its release-tied deb counterpart. Snaps use a base runtime and may bundle additional dependencies, which can increase disk use.
Most Snaps are sandboxed, and permissions can be managed in Settings. That does not apply to every Snap: some developer tools use classic confinement and have full access to system resources. Ubuntu generally recommends a Snap when both Snap and deb versions are available, especially for third-party apps, citing newer versions and stronger security. Treat that as guidance, not a guarantee for every package; check the package’s publisher and confinement. The recommendation is from Ubuntu Desktop documentation, Snap and deb packages, version 26.04, last updated June 22, 2026.
Set up Flatpak and install from Flathub
Flatpak is a cross-distribution format commonly used for desktop apps. Ubuntu Wiki describes its support as community-based through Universe and reports that support dates to Ubuntu 18.10. The Wiki page was last edited July 25, 2026 and is marked as needing testing, so check its release-specific Flatpak instructions if a command or interface differs on your Ubuntu version.
To install Flatpak, add Flathub, then install an app using its application ID:
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sudo apt install flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
flatpak install flathub <application-id>The application ID is the identifier used by the app listing, not necessarily its everyday name. Ubuntu Wiki recommends Bazaar for managing Flatpaks on Ubuntu: Ubuntu ships App Center rather than GNOME Software, which serves as the Flatpak manager on some other GNOME-based distributions. The Wiki describes browsing Flathub and choosing Install to open Bazaar. Flatpak sandboxing can offer fine-grained permissions, while shared runtimes can avoid repeatedly bundling dependencies.
Run an AppImage
An AppImage is a self-contained application file rather than a conventional package installation. Download it from a publisher or other source you trust, grant execute permission, then run it:
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chmod +x Application.AppImage
./Application.AppImageAppImages can be portable and do not require root privileges to run. Ubuntu Wiki’s comparison says they have no central repository or built-in automatic updating in Ubuntu, and their integration with system tools is limited. Some launchers or setups can provide optional sandboxing, but do not assume it is enabled. The file format itself does not establish that a download is safe.
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| Decision | APT / deb | Snap | Flatpak | AppImage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical source | Configured Ubuntu or other APT repository | Snap Store | Flathub or another remote | Publisher or another download source |
| Install route | App Center or sudo apt install |
App Center or sudo snap install |
Install Flatpak, add a remote, then install the app | Download, make executable, run |
| Updates | Security updates automatic by default; other updates through Software Updater | Daily automatic updates by default | Ubuntu Wiki describes manual or automatic updates | No built-in automatic updating in Ubuntu, according to Ubuntu Wiki |
| Permissions | Full access to system resources | Usually sandboxed and configurable; classic confinement is an exception | Sandboxing with fine-grained permissions, according to Ubuntu Wiki | Optional sandboxing; depends on launcher and setup |
| Dependencies and disk | Shared libraries; can use less disk than Snap | Base runtime and potentially bundled libraries; can use more disk | Shared runtimes can avoid repeated dependency bundles | Dependencies bundled; self-contained files can be larger |
| Ubuntu integration | Deep system integration | Integrated with App Center and Ubuntu; permissions managed in Settings | Bazaar recommended by Ubuntu Wiki for management | Portable, with limited system-tool integration |
These are format-level tendencies, not promises for every application. Availability, publisher, permissions, dependencies, and update behavior can vary by package. Ubuntu’s software management overview and its Snap and deb comparison do not provide controlled, like-for-like benchmarks for startup speed, download size, total installed disk use, or measured security outcomes. There is not enough evidence to call one format universally fastest, safest, or smallest.
Choose a trustworthy source
Check who publishes an app and where the package or download comes from; the format label alone is not a safety guarantee. Ubuntu warns that third-party software repositories are not checked by Ubuntu members for security or reliability and may contain harmful software. Add a repository only if you trust its source, and follow its signing-key instructions. See Ubuntu’s guide to adding a software repository.
Quick Recap
- Choose the source recommended by the app publisher or Ubuntu when it is available and trustworthy.
- Prefer App Center if you want a graphical install without choosing a terminal command.
- Consider APT/deb for Ubuntu-integrated packages and shared system libraries.
- Consider Snap for independent app releases and default automatic updates, while checking confinement and permissions.
- Consider Flatpak when the app is offered through Flathub and you want its cross-distribution desktop packaging; Ubuntu Wiki’s Flatpak setup guidance may vary by release.
- Consider AppImage when portability and running a downloaded file without a conventional install matter, and you are comfortable handling updates yourself.
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