Software Installation

Ubuntu 26.04 provides multiple software installation methods, from graphical app stores to command-line tools, meeting the needs of different users. This article covers each installation method in detail.

Which Installation Method Should I Use?

With multiple installation options available, use this quick decision guide:

Is the software in the official repository? — If yes, use apt install. This is the most stable and hassle-free method
Need the latest version or sandbox isolation? — Use Snap, natively supported by Ubuntu with automatic updates
Not available on Snap, or prefer not to use Snap? — Use Flatpak, install from Flathub
Official .deb package available? — Download and run sudo apt install ./xxx.deb
Only AppImage format available? — Download, chmod +x, and run directly. No installation needed
Need a fully isolated runtime environment? — Use Docker containers

Comparison of Methods

Method	Pros	Cons	Best For
apt	Best system integration, unified dependency management, stable and reliable	Versions may be older, limited to repository	System tools, CLI software, libraries and dependencies
Snap	Auto-updates, sandbox isolation, native Ubuntu support	Slower startup, larger disk usage, uncontrollable auto-updates	Desktop apps, software needing latest versions
Flatpak	Sandbox isolation, rich Flathub catalog, cross-distribution	Requires manual setup, large initial runtime download	Desktop apps, software not found on Snap
.deb	Same native experience as apt, newer official versions	No auto-updates, must manually download new versions	Chrome, VS Code, WPS, and other software with official .deb packages
AppImage	No installation needed, download and run, no system impact	No auto-updates, no system integration (no menu icons)	Occasionally used tools, portable software
Docker	Complete isolation, no host pollution, reproducible environments	High learning curve, not suitable for desktop apps	Server applications, development/testing environments

Tip

Simple rule of thumb: When in doubt, use apt. If apt doesn’t have it, use Snap. This rule works for the vast majority of cases. Only consider other methods when neither apt nor Snap can meet your needs.

App Center

App Center is Ubuntu 26.04’s default graphical application store, providing an intuitive software browsing and installation experience.

Usage

Click the “App Center” icon in the Dock or App Grid
Browse categories or use the search bar to find apps
Click an app to view its details page with description, screenshots, and ratings
Click “Install” to install

App Center offers both Snap and Deb format packages, with Snap versions recommended by default.

Managing Installed Apps

In App Center’s “Installed” tab, you can:

View all installed applications
Update apps with new versions available
Uninstall unneeded applications

apt Package Manager

apt is Ubuntu’s most traditional and powerful package management tool, operated via the command line.

Basic Commands


# Update package source lists
sudo apt update
 
# Upgrade all installed packages
sudo apt upgrade
 
# Search for packages
apt search keyword
 
# View package information
apt show packagename
 
# Install a package
sudo apt install packagename
 
# Install multiple packages
sudo apt install package1 package2 package3
 
# Remove a package (keep configuration files)
sudo apt remove packagename
 
# Remove a package (also delete configuration files)
sudo apt purge packagename
 
# Clean up unneeded dependency packages
sudo apt autoremove

Adding Third-Party Sources (PPA)

Some software provides newer versions through PPAs (Personal Package Archives):


# Add a PPA
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:username/reponame
 
# Update source lists
sudo apt update
 
# Install software from the PPA
sudo apt install packagename

Remove a PPA:


sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:username/reponame

Adding Third-Party Repositories

Some software (like Docker, VS Code) provides official apt repositories. General steps:


# 1. Download and add GPG key
wget -qO- https://example.com/key.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/example.gpg
 
# 2. Add repository
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/example.gpg] https://example.com/repo stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/example.list
 
# 3. Update and install
sudo apt update
sudo apt install packagename

Snap Applications

Snap is Canonical’s universal package format providing a sandboxed application runtime environment. Ubuntu 26.04 comes with Snap support pre-installed.

Basic Operations


# Search for Snap apps
snap find keyword
 
# View app details
snap info appname
 
# Install an app
sudo snap install appname
 
# Install a specific channel version
sudo snap install appname --channel=edge
 
# List installed Snaps
snap list
 
# Update all Snap apps
sudo snap refresh
 
# Update a specific app
sudo snap refresh appname
 
# Uninstall an app
sudo snap remove appname

Snap Features

Auto-updates: Snap apps update automatically by default
Sandbox isolation: Apps run in a restricted environment for enhanced security
Multi-version coexistence: Supports different channel versions (stable, beta, edge)
Cross-distribution: The same Snap package works on multiple Linux distributions

Managing Snap Permissions


# View app interface connections
snap connections appname
 
# Connect an interface (grant permission)
sudo snap connect appname:interfacename
 
# Disconnect an interface (revoke permission)
sudo snap disconnect appname:interfacename

Flatpak

Flatpak is another universal package format. Ubuntu 26.04 does not include it by default, but it can be easily added.

Installing Flatpak Support


sudo apt install flatpak gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

Add the Flathub repository:


flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

A system restart is required after installation.

Basic Operations


# Search for apps
flatpak search keyword
 
# Install an app
flatpak install flathub appID
 
# For example, install GIMP
flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
 
# Run an app
flatpak run appID
 
# List installed apps
flatpak list
 
# Update all apps
flatpak update
 
# Uninstall an app
flatpak uninstall appID
 
# Clean up unused runtimes
flatpak uninstall --unused

Tip

How to choose an installation method? apt is best for system tools and CLI software — stable with the best system integration. Snap is ideal for desktop apps needing auto-updates and sandbox isolation. Flatpak is great for the rich selection of third-party desktop apps on Flathub. When the same software is available in multiple formats, prefer the apt official repository version.

Snap vs Flatpak Comparison

Feature	Snap	Flatpak
Developer	Canonical	Community (initiated by Red Hat)
Ubuntu Default Support	Yes	Requires manual installation
App Store	Snap Store	Flathub
Auto-updates	Yes	Manual or requires configuration
Sandbox Mechanism	AppArmor	Bubblewrap
System Service Support	Yes	Desktop apps only

Installing .deb Packages

Some software provides .deb format installation packages for download — the native package format for Debian/Ubuntu.

Graphical Installation

Double-click the downloaded .deb file and the system will automatically open it with App Center. Click “Install”.

Command-Line Installation


# Install using apt (recommended, handles dependencies automatically)
sudo apt install ./packagename.deb
 
# Install using dpkg
sudo dpkg -i packagename.deb
 
# If dpkg reports dependency errors, fix them with:
sudo apt install -f

Notes

Only download .deb files from official websites or trusted sources
.deb packages do not auto-update; you must manually download new versions
Before installing, use dpkg -I packagename.deb to view package details

Software Installation Best Practices

Prefer official repositories: sudo apt install is the safest and most stable method
When you need the latest version: Consider Snap or Flatpak
Be cautious with PPAs: Only add PPAs from well-known projects to avoid introducing unstable sources
Update regularly: Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade to keep your system secure
Clean up old packages: Periodically run sudo apt autoremove to free disk space

Summary

Ubuntu 26.04 provides rich software installation channels. For most users, App Center offers the most convenient graphical installation experience. Command-line users can flexibly use apt for precise package management. Snap and Flatpak extend the range of available software. Choose the appropriate installation method based on your specific needs to get the most out of your Ubuntu system.