By default, Ubuntu supports snaps which are essentially apps.
However because of the reputation of snaps as they are closed-source and could be considered slow or memory inefficient in some cases an alternative users typically choose to use instead are flatpaks.
This guide will show how to set up flatpak and install flatpak apps.
How to install Flatpak
Ubuntu will have a repository set up for flatpak so it’s simply a matter of using the APT package manager to install.
sudo apt install -y flatpak
Check that flatpak is installed using the which command that should output the directory the library is set up in.
which flatpak
To install flatpak apps you need to set up the repository URL below.
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Now you are ready to install flatpaks.
How to find Flatpak apps
You can go to https://flathub.org and browse categories or search directory for flatpak apps.
How to add a Flatpak app
After locating a flatpak to add you can see on the view page details on how to install it, the Microsoft Edge flatpak will be used as an example to install and run.
Clicking on the Install button on the Flatpak page will show the commands to run.
To install run the below command.
You will get a prompt to install, type Y, and then press the enter key.
A second prompt will show changes that will be made, if the details look fine then press the Y key and the enter key to start the installation process.
flatpak install flathub com.microsoft.Edge
After installation run the flatpak.
flatpak run com.microsoft.Edge
The application will load up and run.
To make it easier to run flatpaks consider using an alias.
alias edge="flatpak run com.microsoft.Edge"
To uninstall a flatpak use the remove command.
flatpak remove flathub com.microsoft.Edge