Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Flattool VS Flatpak

Compare Flattool VS Flatpak and see what are their differences

Flattool logo Flattool

A command line tool to make interacting with flatpaks a tad easier.

Flatpak logo Flatpak

Flatpak is the new framework for desktop applications on Linux
  • Flattool Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14
  • Flatpak Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-06

Flattool features and specs

  • Open Source
    Flattool is open-source, which means users can contribute to its development, customize it for their needs, and benefit from a community-driven project.
  • Cross-Platform
    Flattool works on multiple operating systems, allowing users to benefit from its features whether they are on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
  • Command-Line Interface
    The CLI nature of Flattool makes it easy to integrate into scripts and automated workflows, benefiting users who prefer or require command-line operations.
  • Active Development
    With ongoing updates and improvements, Flattool is continually evolving, offering new features and fixes for current issues.

Possible disadvantages of Flattool

  • Limited User Interface
    As a CLI tool, Flattool lacks a GUI, potentially making it less accessible for users who are not comfortable with command-line operations.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might need some time to understand how Flattool functions and integrates into their workflows due to its technical nature.
  • Dependent on Community
    Being open-source and community-driven can sometimes lead to slower updates and support issues if the community engagement decreases.

Flatpak features and specs

  • Cross-distribution support
    Flatpak applications can be installed on any Linux distribution, which helps in resolving compatibility issues.
  • Sandboxing
    Flatpak apps run in a sandbox, which isolates them from the system and other applications, thereby enhancing security.
  • Dependency management
    Flatpak handles dependencies internally, allowing different applications to use different versions of the same library without conflicts.
  • Bleeding-edge software
    Flatpak allows users to access the latest versions of applications, even if their Linux distribution's repository is not up-to-date.
  • Backward compatibility
    Flatpak apps can run on older systems because Flatpak includes the required runtime libraries.

Possible disadvantages of Flatpak

  • Disk space usage
    Flatpak applications may use more disk space because runtimes and libraries are bundled separately for each app.
  • Performance overhead
    The sandboxing and isolation can introduce a performance penalty compared to natively installed applications.
  • Limited integration
    Flatpak applications may not fully integrate with the host system, leading to inconsistencies in look and feel.
  • Update lag
    Flatpak uses a central repository for updates, which can sometimes result in delays in getting the latest versions of applications.
  • Learning curve
    New users might find it challenging to understand and use Flatpak, especially if they are accustomed to traditional package managers.

Analysis of Flatpak

Overall verdict

  • Flatpak is generally regarded as a positive option for software distribution on Linux, particularly for those seeking a cross-distribution solution that ensures application stability and security.

Why this product is good

  • Flatpak is considered good due to its ability to provide application sandboxing, which enhances security by isolating applications from the rest of the system. It also ensures consistent behavior across different Linux distributions by packaging all dependencies with the applications. Furthermore, Flatpak enables easy updates and rollback of applications, making it convenient for both developers and users.

Recommended for

  • Users who want access to the latest software versions
  • Developers looking for a unified application distribution method
  • Users of multiple Linux distributions who want consistent application behavior
  • Those who prioritize security and isolation of applications.

Flattool videos

No Flattool videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Flatpak videos

How to Use Flatpak

More videos:

  • Review - [2018] LINUX - FLATPAK REVIEW and SETUP
  • Review - Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle Review | TSA Approved | Small Travel Container & Liquid Soap Holder

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Flattool and Flatpak)
Front End Package Manager
Package Manager
22 22%
78% 78
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Windows Tools
21 21%
79% 79

User comments

Share your experience with using Flattool and Flatpak. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Flatpak seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 85 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Flattool mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Flattool yet. Tracking of Flattool recommendations started around Oct 2023.

Flatpak mentions (85)

  • How to Flatpack Programs [video]
    It's hard to tell if he is referring to Flatpak: https://flatpak.org/ or if the nomenclature is a coincidence. However, from what I can tell, the presenter is talking about similar things. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Tools for Linux Distro Hoppers
    Hopping from one distro to another with a different package manager might require some time to adapt. Using a package manager that can be installed on most distro is one way to help you get to work faster. Flatpak is one of them; other alternative are Snap, Nix or Homebrew. Flatpak is a good starter, and if you have a bunch of free time, I suggest trying Nix. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • I cannot get flatpak to find anything on a fresh Debian12 install
    The repository that I used is the official one from flathub.org, I literally typed:. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Modern CSV version 2 is now available
    It shouldn't be too complicated to create a package from the provided tarball. [1]: https://flatpak.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Flutter 3 on Devuan 4: Getting started
    Besides, there may be other ways to install them, although there doesn't seem no such Flatpak packages in Flathub. For example, some senerio to use some release channel or Docker / Podman. Additionally, when you use a different Linux distro where systemd is adopted and therefore can do Snaps (Snapd), you have another possibility. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Flattool and Flatpak, you can also consider the following products

Homebrew - The missing package manager for macOS

Snapcraft - Snaps are software packages that are simple to create and install.

Warehouse - Warehouse is a versatile toolbox for managing flatpak user data, viewing flatpak app info, and batch managing installed flatpaks.

FLATHUB - Apps for Linux, right here

NixOS - 25 Jun 2014 . All software components in NixOS are installed using the Nix package manager. Packages in Nix are defined using the nix language to create nix expressions.

Applite - User-friendly GUI macOS application for Homebrew Casks.