At Gnoppix, our philosophy is rooted in open standards and community collaboration. This is why we have made the decision to not support Snap, and instead, we are focusing on Flatpak as our preferred universal package format.
While both Snap and Flatpak are designed to make application distribution easier and more reliable across different Linux distributions, there are key differences in their fundamental approach.
The Centralized, Proprietary Nature of the Snap Store
The primary issue we have with Snap is its centralized and proprietary nature. The “Snap Store” is a single, centrally controlled repository managed by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu.
Closed System: Unlike open package management systems where anyone can host a repository, the Snap Store is a closed system. This is very similar to how the Apple App Store operates, where a single entity controls what applications are distributed and how they are handled.
Lack of Decentralization: This model goes against the core principles of the open-source community, which thrives on decentralization and freedom. With Snap, Canonical maintains ultimate control over the infrastructure, distribution, and a portion of the application revenue.
Security Concerns: A single point of control can also present security risks and censorship issues. While Canonical has its own security policies, a truly open standard allows for a wider, community-driven approach to security and transparency.
Flatpak: A True Open Standard
In contrast, Flatpak was built from the ground up as a decentralized, open standard.
Decentralized Repositories: With Flatpak, anyone can host their own repository. While Flathub is the most well-known and default repository, it is just one of many options. This decentralized model is in line with the Linux ecosystem’s ethos of choice and freedom. Community-Driven: Flatpak is an open-source project developed by a community of contributors, not by a single corporation. This collaborative approach ensures that the technology benefits from a diverse range of perspectives and remains independent of a single company’s business interests. Sandboxing and Security: Flatpak’s sandboxing technology is robust and provides strong security, allowing applications to run in an isolated environment without needing proprietary back-end systems.
In short, while we acknowledge the technical merits of Snap, its reliance on a closed, proprietary store is fundamentally at odds with the Gnoppix philosophy of open standards and user freedom. By choosing Flatpak, we are not just picking a technology; we are supporting a model that aligns with the collaborative and decentralized spirit of open source.