What Is Flatpak and How Does It Differ from a Traditional Package
Isolation, bundled dependencies, and its community governance through Flathub.
Flatpak is a format that packages an application together with everything it needs to work, so it installs and runs the same way on any Linux distribution — regardless of whether that distribution uses .deb, .rpm, or another system.
The key difference from a traditional package
A traditional package (.deb, .rpm) depends on your system already having certain shared pieces installed (libraries) — if it doesn't, they need to be installed first. A Flatpak brings along (or shares through a common "runtime") everything it needs, avoiding that problem entirely, in exchange for using somewhat more disk space.
Isolation (sandbox): more security by design
Each Flatpak application runs in a space isolated from the rest of the system — if it has a security flaw, the damage stays contained in that space, unable to freely touch the rest of your machine or your personal files, unless you give it explicit permission.
Installing and using it
flatpak install flathub app.name.here
flatpak run app.name.here
Search for available applications directly on Flathub, Flatpak's main catalogue.
Governance: who controls what gets published
Flathub is community-managed, not by a single company — anyone can also set up their own independent Flatpak repository. This contrasts with Snap, whose main repository is controlled solely by Canonical (Ubuntu's company).
Tip: you can have Flatpak and Snap installed at the same time with no conflict — many users choose whichever format works best for each specific application, instead of committing exclusively to just one.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Flatpak take up more space than a traditional package?
Generally yes, somewhat more, since it includes (or shares through runtimes) the necessary dependencies instead of relying on libraries already installed on the system. In exchange, it avoids compatibility problems between distributions.
Is it safer to install applications via Flatpak?
Isolation (sandboxing) limits potential damage if an application has a vulnerability, since it doesn't have free access to the rest of the system by default — it's a real additional layer of security.
Can I use Flatpak and Snap on the same system?
Yes, with no conflict between the two — many users install both and choose whichever format works best for each specific application.