| Feature | Snap | Flatpak | AppImage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandboxing | Yes (via AppArmor, not always strict) | Yes (mandatory, uses Bubblewrap) | Optional (not enforced) |
| Dependencies | Bundles most dependencies, may rely on other snaps | Shares runtimes across apps | Bundles all dependencies |
| Installation | Requires snapd daemon |
Requires Flatpak runtime and integration | No installation—just download and run |
| Updates | Automatic updates via Snap Store | Delta updates via Flatpak repo | Manual or via AppImageUpdate |
| Portability | Not portable (requires snapd and system integration) |
Less portable (depends on runtime) | Highly portable—can run from USB |
| App Store | Snap Store (centralized) | Flathub (centralized) | No official store |
| Use Case | Good for system-wide apps and IoT devices | Ideal for sandboxed desktop apps | Great for portable, standalone apps |
| Startup Speed | Often slower due to mounting and sandboxing | Moderate | Fast |
| Created By | Canonical (Ubuntu) | Red Hat, Endless, Collabora | Simon Peter |
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