Bye‑bye .exe: Master Ubuntu App Center and Choose Between DEB, Snap, Flatpak

1. Ubuntu App Center (Application Store)

For beginners, the App Center works like a mobile app store and provides a one‑click installation experience.

Click the "App Center" icon on the Dock.

Browse recommended apps or use the search function.

Open an app’s detail page and click "Install".

To uninstall, go to the "Manage" tab, locate the app, and click uninstall.

2. Understanding Linux Package Formats

Ubuntu primarily uses three package formats.

DEB (Debian Package)

Status: Traditional native format, similar to Windows .msi.

Advantages: Stable, small size, fast startup.

Source: APT repositories or downloaded .deb files.

Snap (Official Ubuntu format)

Status: Self‑contained containerized format, integrated by default.

Advantages: Ready‑to‑run, includes all dependencies (no conflicts), auto‑updates.

Disadvantages: Slightly slower launch, larger disk usage.

Flatpak (Community format)

Status: Cross‑distribution format, similar to Snap but more community‑favoured.

Advantages: Rich Flathub repository, usually newer versions.

How to enable:

sudo apt install flatpak gnome-software-plugin-flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3. Selection Guidance – Choose by Scenario

Prefer APT/DEB (system repositories): System tools, command‑line utilities, software you want to update together with the OS.

Prefer Snap: When you want hassle‑free installation, automatic updates, or the vendor only provides a Snap.

Prefer Flatpak: Desktop applications where you want newer versions or stronger isolation from the system.

If the same application is available in all three formats, try them in this order:

System repository (APT/DEB)

Official channel (e.g., Snap)

Flathub (Flatpak)

4. Installing a Downloaded .deb File

When an app is not in the App Center (e.g., Google Chrome, VS Code, Baidu Netdisk), download its .deb package and install it.

Methods:

Double‑click install: Open the .deb file in the file manager; the App Center will handle the installation.

Command‑line install (recommended):

cd ~/Downloads   # go to download folder
sudo dpkg -i filename.deb
# If dependencies are missing, fix them automatically
sudo apt install -f

5. Common Essential Software Recommendations

Browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Linux version).

Input Method: Sogou Linux or Fcitx5.

Chat:

WeChat/QQ – use the UOS port or run via Wine.

Telegram/Discord – native Linux clients are available.

Media Playback: VLC Media Player.

Music: Spotify or NetEase Cloud Music (use YesPlayMusic as a workaround).

Graphics: GIMP (Photoshop‑like) and Inkscape (vector graphics).

6. Quick Tips to Inspect Installed Software

Use the following commands to see what is installed and where it comes from:

which command_name

apt list --installed | grep keyword

With these practices, software management becomes transparent, controllable, and maintainable rather than a “install‑and‑forget” activity.