What is flathub?

Flathub is an online catalog that stores and distributes Flatpak applications. Think of it as a single place where Linux users can find, download, and install apps that work on many different Linux distributions without needing separate packages for each one.

Let's break it down

  • Flatpak: a technology that packages an app together with everything it needs to run, keeping it separate from the rest of the system.
  • Flathub website: the public portal (flathub.org) where developers upload their Flatpak packages and users browse or search for apps.
  • Runtimes: shared libraries and services that many apps use, stored on Flathub so they don’t have to be bundled with every single app.
  • Sandbox: each app runs in an isolated environment, limiting its access to your files and hardware unless you explicitly allow it.

Why does it matter?

Flathub makes it easy to get the latest version of an app on any Linux distro that supports Flatpak. Because the apps are sandboxed, they are more secure and less likely to break your system. It also reduces the work for developers, who only need to publish one package instead of many distro‑specific ones.

Where is it used?

  • Most major Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Arch, etc.) support Flatpak and can connect to Flathub.
  • Desktop environments like GNOME and KDE include tools that let you browse and install apps directly from Flathub.
  • Developers use Flathub to reach a wide audience without dealing with each distro’s packaging rules.

Good things about it

  • Cross‑distribution: one app works on many Linux flavors.
  • Up‑to‑date: developers can push new releases quickly, and users get them instantly.
  • Security: sandboxing limits what an app can do, protecting your system.
  • Ease of use: graphical software centers often have a “Flathub” tab for simple searching and installing.
  • Open source: most apps and the Flathub infrastructure are community‑driven.

Not-so-good things

  • Larger downloads: because each app includes its own libraries, the initial download size can be bigger than native packages.
  • Runtime duplication: multiple apps may install the same runtime, using extra disk space.
  • Performance overhead: sandboxing can add a slight slowdown compared to native apps.
  • Internet dependency: you need an active connection to download from Flathub; offline installation is less straightforward.
  • Limited selection: not every Linux application is available as a Flatpak on Flathub yet.