When Flatpak portable packages emerged in the Linux space, Canonical quickly followed with their own version – Snaps. Both formats provide a dependable and efficient solution for creating portable bundles.
Flatpaks have traditionally been centered around desktop software, offering access to various repositories and being more compatible across multiple platforms. On the other hand, Snap packages are focused on providing both server and desktop applications from a single repository managed by Canonical. Additionally, these packages will only run on Linux distributions that utilize systemd init implementations.
Canonical’s Ubuntu distribution is one of the few places to offer support for Snap packages by default, while most other Linux communities (including Ubuntu community editions) are inclined towards Flatpak.
Canonical is pushing to make a difference by ensuring that community editions only support Snap packages out of the box. As an effort across all Ubuntu flavors, it has been decided that the Flatpak package and its associated integration into software centers will no longer be the default come to April 2023’s Lunar Lobster Release.
Anyone who has already adopted Flatpak will remain unaffected by the upgrade, thanks to a specially crafted migration feature. Those not yet familiar with Flatpak, however, can look forward to software from both Ubuntu repositories and the Snap Store – giving them more choices than ever before!
Read More: Snap vs. Flatpak vs. AppImage: Know The Differences
To guarantee user preference and continuity, Ubuntu and its derivatives are committed to debs and snaps as their main form of software delivery. Nevertheless, users still have the freedom to acquire programs from other sources, such as Flatpak. Installing these options is easy; a simple command in the Ubuntu repository will do!
Ubuntu believes that this method allows for maximum usability while also upholding the commitment to providing choice for all users.
Good decision from Canonical