Apps in Discovery from Ubuntu or Snap?

[Sebastianhoeing]

Hey,

I just started using Kubuntu.

In the Discovery Store I can download apps from Ubuntu or choose Snap. What download should I use?

I know that Canonical tries to mainstream apps as Snaps. But what consequences do either choices have in daily use?

Thanks for enlightenment. Have a nice day.

[kc1di]

If both choices are available for a package I normally install the .deb or Ubuntu package. I use snaps or flatpcks for packages that are not available in .deb format. Snaps are much larger files as the include all the dependencies with the snap package. Ubuntu /.deb packages require dependencies to be install on the system or they will be downloaded and install along with the program when it's installed. Hope this helps.

[die.boer]

definately .deb , i avoid snap like the plague lol
i never basically use discover anyway , if i want something i search the web for the deb version

[claydoh]

What download should I use?

The main difference is with Snap and Flatpak, you will have more up-to-date versions. Ubuntu releases in general have at least a somewhat dated software library overall. Snap and Flatpak will be the current stuff, as well as all the many things not even available as a deb. There are no real consequences to using SNaps - FF and Tbird are Snaps, as is Chromium. If one wants to ditch them, it is some extra work, but pretty minor, and not really hard.

Being an old-timer, you'd think I'd be against using them for myself. But I am not. I have not had any issues using them, and do as appropriate for my needs.

Using them or not is mostly a personal thing.

Yes, there *can* be permissions or limitations in some areas, but so far I struggle to find any of these myself, in recent years.

Unfortunately, the loud political rabbble rousers .....rouse the rabble and basically make discussion about the topic pretty heated, at best. Luckily, we have saner, friendlier heads 'round here.

[kc1di]

I must say also I use a couple of snaps and they have been no problem here. also use a couple flatpaks for programs not available on .deb or snaps. so It your choice and the one thing I always say is with linux we have choices.

[Sebastianhoeing]

OK thanks to all of you. I will use the Ubuntu Version from the Discovery Store.

Another example: I installed Vivaldi Browser via Discovery. I also could have downloaded the deb version directly from their website. Which version receives first an update?

I still do not get the difference between download from Discovery in Ubuntu version and directly as deb from the Vivaldi website.

Rookie question... 😄

[claydoh]

Debs are the native packages used in Debian and Ubuntu based systems and are managed using apt.

Distro packages are (generally) built by the distro, and are specifically tied to that distro and specific version. This allows better sharing of components, and potentially less bloat. but you can't use any deb on any Debian or Ubuntu based system.

Distros control what software is included in their repos, and with the vast number of packages, most will not have the most current versions of things.

A misconfigured package or repository potentially can break updates. Dependency Hell is a common phrase.


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Snaps (and flatpak) are distro agnostic, and self contained. Most needed components are included in one ball, mostly. Major libraries and similar components are shared, though.

As snaps are outside the system, they cannot break your desktop or OS. They will generally take up more drive space, and will be more current.

Snaps also offer software not packaged in your distro.

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If you want the current version of a thing, use snap (or flatpak)

If you want the thing as provided by your distro, use the deb. Or use both and see what works better.

It IS confusing right now, for sure.