Flatpak vs. AppImage

Semenov

Hi, guys!
Yesterday I asked you about Flatpak, today I would like to ask you about AppImage. What should I know? I know that this is just a file I can run instead of installing. What's better: Flatpak or AppImages? What's more convenient? What do you prefer? Is there an official store for AppImages? And what about updates? So, I still need the simplest explanation.

kyrios

AppImage don't have a centralised repository and they don't have a convenient auto-updater.
Always prefer native, then snap/flatpak then AppImage and finally build from source.

Brucehankins

What kyrios said. I lean more towards flatpak than snap as I've had issues with snap packages that I don't have if a flatpak version is available.

joluveba

I found an article where Spap, Flatpak, and Appimage are compared. The author then compares them to eopkg (yes, eopkg!):

https://verummeum.com/portable-package-formats/

Some interesting conclusions, in case you don't want to read the article:

AppImages are the smallest in size in all our test cases

Snap packages seem to be more resource heavy compared to the other package formats. The resource usage of Flatpak and AppImage packages were very similar in all test cases.

My opinion. I have used the Zoom flatpak and it worked fine. I tend to avoid snaps, I heard some problems about them, but don't want to say anything without a source. Appimages seem OK, but you cannot update them, you just download the newer version.

brent

*I've used 2 appimages: both stable, but like @kyrios says they don't update, and since they aren't from a repo and you didn't compile it is security-wise, to an extent, uncurated so you get what you get.
*Snaps: avoid like everyone says. not as stable as flatpak. Prone to surprises.
*Flatpak: when it works it works great

Everybody here has it covered but the best advice someone already gave you yesterday in another thread and you should heed it imho: if it's Brave and Tor you said you wanted then you really should trust the Solus repo version before you trust the Flatapak. 2 cents

riffer

I only use snaps if they are packaged by the developer e.g. fwupd I just am uneasy with the whole snap thing.

Appimages are okay but it is a lot of trouble to integrate them in the interface. Solus doesn't have that tool that debian has (AppImageLauncher). Not really a big deal. On the other hand, if you just leave them in their folder they are easy to get rid of.

brent

johano I did the reading at your link. They acknowledge most distros consider appimages a security risk...and while the creators did not say this program would minimize this...it likely mitigates against the user making boneheaded decisions.. It comes with its own CLI program, installs itself with system files and integrates with a 'good steward' to your OS mentality, and manages permissions and updates for your appimages. It does more stuff too, I downloaded it but have not run it. My Firejail in Solus broke about a year (corrupted all apparmor profiles) ago and I forgot it they fixed it yet. I don't think they have. That would seem an ideal tool for this appimage running for the sqeamish.

riffer On the other hand, if you just leave them in their folder they are easy to get rid of.

The ones I tried collect dust in /downloads. Johano's tool I think unifies them which is cool.

riffer I was going to recommend that as a good appimage to try out if interested.

Ha! the reason I got the appimage of Libre-Wolf is because I did not see it with flatpak cli search. that was about a year ago?

johano

AppImageLauncher itself can be installed via an appimage. It takes care of housekeeping for appimages. It uses a systemd service to watch a folder/s where you store your appimages, and transparently integrates items in the Budgie menu (or whatever DE you use). It also removes shortcuts from the menu when you delete an sppimage.
I've been using it for a long time and it has not required any intervention after first setup.
The version I'm using is
appimagelauncher-lite-version-number-x86_64.AppImage

more info here

brent

johano an appimage program to manage your appimage programs makes me deliriously happy for some reason🙂 😀 . Maybe time to dust off libre-wolf.

riffer

brent

I was going to recommend that as a good appimage to try out if interested. Of course, I just use the flatpak.

riffer

brent I think it is fairly new. I just noticed it a month or so ago.