Flathub
FreeApp store for Linux — browse and install thousands of apps via Flatpak. Installable as a PWA to search the catalog. A key part of the modern Linux desktop ecosystem.
How to install Flathub as a PWA
Frequently asked questions about Flathub
What makes Flathub different from Snap Store or AppImage?
All three solve Linux app distribution differently. Snap is Canonical-controlled, has mandatory auto-updates, and uses a single proprietary store. AppImage is a single-file format with no central store and no sandboxing by default. Flatpak with Flathub is community-governed, sandboxed by default (Portals system), supports automatic updates without forcing them, and works across all major distros. Snap has Canonical's marketing weight; AppImage has simplicity; Flathub has the strongest community adoption and the cleanest sandboxing model.
Is Flathub free?
Yes — Flathub is free for users (download and install any app) and free for developers (publish apps with no listing fee). Flathub recently piloted a payments and donations system to support developers, with all proceeds going to developers, not the platform. The infrastructure is funded by community donations and corporate sponsors (GNOME Foundation, Endless OS, the Linux community).
How does Flathub compare to apt/dnf/pacman?
Distribution package managers (apt for Debian/Ubuntu, dnf for Fedora, pacman for Arch) ship apps tightly integrated with the distro and the distro's release cycle — older but more stable. Flathub ships apps directly from upstream developers, bundled with their dependencies in a sandbox — newer versions but isolated from system libraries. Most modern users mix the two: system packages for OS-level tools, Flathub for desktop applications where newer versions matter.
Can I use Flathub offline?
The Flathub catalog (the website/PWA) requires connectivity to browse and download. Once a Flatpak app is installed locally, it runs offline like any other app. Updates require connectivity to fetch new versions. There is no offline mirror by default, but advanced users can configure local Flatpak remotes for air-gapped deployments.
Who uses Flathub in production?
Flathub serves the entire desktop Linux ecosystem — Fedora's GNOME Software defaults to Flathub for app discovery, ChromeOS Crostini Linux containers use it, Steam Deck (SteamOS) uses it as the primary non-Steam app source, and most major distros enable it by default in modern installs. Steam Deck's adoption alone exposed Flathub to millions of users in 2022-2024. Major apps including Spotify, Discord, OBS Studio, and most GNOME/KDE apps publish through Flathub.
Where Flathub is heading (12-24 months)
- →Payments and developer monetization (launching in 2024-2025) could fund higher-quality Linux app development long-term.
- →Improved sandbox transparency UI (Portal permissions) would help users trust the model more.
- →Server-Flatpak (currently desktop-focused) could expand the model to headless Linux app distribution.
Related questions
ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini usually suggest these next.
- How does Flatpak sandboxing actually work?
- Why are some Flatpaks larger than the native distro package?
- Can developers monetize apps through Flathub?
- How does Flathub handle app reviews and security?
- What is the difference between flatpak.org and Flathub?
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