In early 2018, the Linux community was embroiled in a heated debate: Flathub, Snap, or native packages? At that time, Jiří Eischmann published a fascinating comparison of how up-to-date these formats really were. Looking back from 2026, the dust has settled, and Flatpak has emerged as the clear winner for third-party application distribution.
Here is why, eight years later, Flatpak remains my primary choice for installing non-core applications on Linux.
1. Decoupling the OS from Applications
The biggest strength of Flatpak in 2026 is the total separation of the base operating system from the applications. Whether I am on a stable “Long Term Support” (LTS) system or a rolling release, my applications stay at the latest version without risking the stability of my core system libraries.
2. Security and Sandboxing
Back in 2018, sandboxing was a “nice to have” feature. Today, it is a necessity. Flatpak’s permission model allows me to run third-party apps with restricted access to my files and hardware.
Using tools like Flatseal, I can precisely control what an app can see:
- Network access: Disable it for offline tools.
- File system: Limit an app to a specific folder instead of the whole
/home. - Hardware: Block access to the webcam or microphone for apps that don’t need them.
3. The Demise of “Dependency Hell”
In the old days of native .deb or .rpm packages, installing a new app often meant upgrading dozens of system libraries. This often led to “dependency hell.” Flatpak solved this by bundling runtimes. While this takes up a bit more disk space, the trade-off in reliability and “it just works” convenience is worth every megabyte.
4. The Unified Ecosystem: From Desktop to Steam Deck
The rise of immutable operating systems and devices like the Steam Deck has solidified Flatpak’s position. Because Flathub provides a unified, cross-distro repository, a developer can target one platform and reach millions of users across Fedora, Ubuntu, Arch, and SteamOS simultaneously.
Retrospective: What Jiří Eischmann Got Right
Reflecting on the 2018 analysis by Jiří Eischmann, his question about “what is more up-to-date” was prophetic. While Snap found its niche in servers and CLI tools, Flathub became the heart of the Linux desktop. The speed at which apps are updated on Flathub today often outpaces even the fastest rolling-release distributions.
Conclusion
In 2026, the question is no longer “Why use Flatpak?” but rather “Why use anything else for third-party apps?” It has provided the Linux desktop with the professional, secure, and up-to-date application layer that we dreamed of back in 2018.
