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Snap Package Manager (brief comparision with APT)

A package manager in Linux is a system that installs, updates, removes, and manages software and its dependencies. Instead of downloading .exe installers like on Windows, Linux software is usually distributed as packages that the package manager handles automatically.

The pacakge manager keeps track of:

  • what software is installed,

  • what libraries each program needs,

  • where files should go,

  • and how updates are applied, etc..

1. Apt and Snap

Two of the most common package managers on Linux (especially Ubuntu-based systems) are APT and Snap.

  • APT (Advanced Package Tool) is the traditional system where software integrates closely with the operating system and mostly uses shared system libraries.

  • Debian is one of the oldest and most important Linux distributions, and many other operating systems are built from it.

  • APT is the default and most commonly used package manager for Debian-based systems. It is used to install, update, and remove software packages.

  • APT works with .deb packages (Debian package format), while Snap uses its own containerized package format called Snap packages (as described below).

flowchart LR
    A[apt command] --> B[installs files directly into Linux filesystem]
    B --> C[done]
  • Snap is a newer system where applications are packaged with many of their own dependencies, making them more self-contained and able to run consistently across different Linux distributions.
graph LR
    A["snap command"] --> B["talks to snapd daemon"] --> C["snapd manages:\n- mounted packages\n- sandboxing\n- updates\n- runtimes\n- permissions"]

2. When to use which?

Use APT if you want:

  • better performance
  • tighter integration with Ubuntu/Debian

  • less disk usage

  • For example: 

    sudo apt install vlc

Use Snap if you want:

  • apps that work the same across distributions
  • easier installs for complex software
  • isolation/security
  • For example (to install Visual Studio Code and Firefox): 
    sudo snap install code --classic  (note: It gives the app full access to your system, similar to normal (non-Snap) apps)

sudo snap install firefox

3. Dependencies handling in Snap

A Snap package will often bundle its own dependencies even if the system already has them installed.

So if:

  • system already has ffmpeg installed via APT, and a Snap app depends on ffmpeg

  • the Snap may still include its own compatible version


Aspect Effect of Snap bundling its own dependencies
Disk size Increases significantly — multiple Snap apps may include duplicate libraries, leading to higher storage usage than APT.
Speed (startup / performance) Often slightly slower startup due to larger package size and mounted filesystem layers. Runtime performance is usually similar once running.
Installation speed Can be slower because more data must be downloaded and installed.
Security Stronger isolation — bundled dependencies and sandboxing reduce system-wide impact of vulnerabilities.
Consistency / reliability Higher consistency — apps always use their packaged versions, avoiding dependency mismatch issues.
System dependency conflicts Reduced risk — Snap avoids relying on system-installed libraries.

4. snapd service

  • Snap consists of two key parts: 

    1) snap package format (the apps themselves) 

2) snapd service: which is the background daemon that manages them

  • In contrast, APT does not require a continuously running service. It is a command-line package manager that performs tasks only when you explicitly run it.

5. Snap ecosystem

  1. Snap packages (.snap files):
    The applications you install (self-contained software packages that include dependencies).

  2. snapd background service:
    The system service (daemon) that installs, runs, and manages Snap packages, including sandboxing, updates, and mounting.

  3. snap CLI:
    A command-line utility used to interact with the Snap system (install, remove, update, and query Snap packages).

6. Compatible distributions

6.1 APT-Compatible distributions (Debian-based family)

  • Following systems use the APT package manager (.deb packages):
Debian (base system for many others)
Ubuntu
Linux Mint
Pop!_OS
elementary OS
Zorin OS
Kali Linux
Raspberry Pi OS (Debian-based)

6.2 Snap-Compatible distributions

  • Snap works across multiple Linux families (not limited to one type).

  • Snap support depends on installing the Snap service:

Ubuntu (default Snap support)
Debian
Fedora
openSUSE
Arch Linux
Linux Mint
Pop!_OS
elementary OS
Zorin OS
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
CentOS Stream
Raspberry Pi OS

7. debian package installation (two ways)

  • Debian and its related systems use APT (Advanced Package Tool) to install software.

  • APT always works with .deb packages, but the way it gets them can differ.

Method 1: from repositories

sudo apt install curl
(APT checks online software repositories (official Debian/Ubuntu servers))

Method 2: using a .deb file (manual install)

  • Sometimes we download a .deb file manually from a website. 
    sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i file.deb

❌ Does not automatically fix missing dependencies
That’s why APT is preferred today

8. Quick summary

  • APT = Debian family only (.deb packages)

  • Snap = Cross-distribution (works on most Linux distros) (Snap requires snapd service to run)

  • APT works with .deb packages (Debian package format), while Snap uses its own containerized package format called Snap packages.

  • APT = manager that handles .deb packages via repositories