Essential Flatpak Apps for Ubuntu Users in 2025

Flatpak has become one of the easiest ways to install current desktop software on Ubuntu without relying entirely on the distribution’s default repositories. Apps arrive with many of their libraries bundled, updates are delivered independently of the operating system, and the same package can usually be installed across Ubuntu releases. For everyday users, that means fewer version conflicts and a simpler path to modern applications.

This guide selects ten practical Flatpak applications for work, browsing, creative projects, entertainment, reading, and gaming. It also covers the small amount of preparation that makes Flatpak feel reliable rather than confusing. For approachable Ubuntu news, tutorials, and software coverage, UbuntuNext guides provide useful context alongside these recommendations.

Why Flatpak Fits Ubuntu In 2025

Ubuntu already offers several software delivery formats, including traditional Debian packages, Snaps, AppImages, and Flatpaks. Flatpak is especially appealing when an application is newer on Flathub than in the Ubuntu archive, or when you want the same app version after moving between releases. The sandbox also limits what an application can access by default, which gives users more control over files, devices, and personal data.

The experience is particularly helpful on long-term support releases. Someone running Ubuntu 24.04 LTS can use a recent creative tool or password manager without replacing the whole operating system. Flatpak applications use extra disk space because runtimes are shared packages, but that is rarely a serious concern on modern laptops and desktops. An NBN connection also makes initial downloads less painful for Australian households, even where upload speeds or data allowances still vary.

Prepare Flathub Before Installing

Ubuntu may include Flatpak support already, but installing the command-line tools and adding Flathub gives you the broadest catalogue. Open Terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpak
sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Restarting the computer afterwards can help GNOME Software recognise the new source. You can also browse Flathub in a web browser and use each app’s installation command. To search from Terminal, use flatpak search app-name; to see installed Flatpaks, run flatpak list. Updates can be handled with flatpak update, while flatpak uninstall unused removes runtimes no longer needed.

Permissions deserve a quick check. Flatpak applications are sandboxed, but many useful programmes need access to documents, external drives, microphones, or graphics hardware. Flatseal provides a graphical way to inspect and adjust those permissions, although it is better to grant access only when an app genuinely needs it. This is more transparent than blindly accepting every permission request during installation.

Work And Study Essentials

LibreOffice is the dependable office suite in this collection. Its Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, and Base components cover letters, spreadsheets, presentations, diagrams, and basic databases. The Flatpak is useful for Ubuntu users who want a current LibreOffice release without waiting for a repository refresh. It handles common Microsoft Office formats well, though complex documents with unusual fonts or macros should still be checked before sending them to a workplace.

Obsidian is a strong choice for notes, research, project planning, and personal knowledge management. It stores notes as ordinary Markdown files, so your writing remains readable outside the application and can be backed up with standard tools. The Flatpak is convenient for users who want Obsidian separated from system libraries. Students at universities in Sydney or Melbourne can keep lecture notes, assignment references, and revision material in one linked vault, while avoiding the lock-in associated with a web-only service.

Both applications benefit from a sensible file strategy. Keep an office folder and an Obsidian vault inside your home directory, back them up regularly, and avoid giving either application unrestricted access to your entire drive. If you work with files on a mounted NTFS partition or an external SSD, check Flatseal when the application cannot see that location.

Browsing And Password Security

Firefox remains one of the most capable open-source browsers available for Linux. Its Flatpak version receives browser updates separately from Ubuntu, includes strong tracking protection, and supports extensions for privacy, accessibility, development, and media playback. This can be useful when a web service requires a recent browser but your operating system is intentionally kept conservative for stability.

Bitwarden complements Firefox by storing passwords, passkeys, secure notes, and payment details in an encrypted vault. The desktop client is handy for managing the vault, while the browser extension handles everyday sign-ins. Use a long master password and enable a second authentication method. Australian users dealing with banking sites, Medicare services, MyGov, council portals, or utility accounts should avoid keeping credentials in plain text files or browser notes.

A Flatpak sandbox can affect browser integration. Firefox may need permission to access a downloaded file location, while Bitwarden’s desktop integration may require additional configuration depending on your desktop environment. These limitations are generally manageable, and they are preferable to granting every installed application access to personal files by default.

Creative Tools For Images And Video

GIMP is still the most versatile open-source image editor for Ubuntu. It supports layers, masks, selections, filters, colour adjustments, and a wide range of image formats. The application suits tasks such as resizing product photos, removing backgrounds, preparing social media graphics, or repairing scanned family pictures. Its interface takes time to learn, but the current Flatpak makes it easy to use a recent release across supported Ubuntu versions.

Kdenlive is the stronger pick for video editing. It offers a multi-track timeline, transitions, titles, keyframes, proxy clips, colour tools, and export presets for common platforms. It can handle phone footage, screen recordings, and camera files without requiring a subscription. Video projects can consume substantial storage, so place source clips and cache files on a fast SSD where possible. A user editing footage from a Brisbane weekend or a trip along the Great Ocean Road will notice the difference between an older hard drive and modern solid-state storage.

Both creative applications may need access to folders outside the standard home directories. Grant access to a dedicated Projects folder rather than the whole filesystem. GIMP users should also check font availability, while Kdenlive users should confirm that hardware acceleration works correctly with their AMD, Intel, or Nvidia graphics setup.

Media And Reading On The Desktop

VLC is the practical media player to install when Ubuntu’s default player struggles with a file. It supports a broad range of video and audio formats, subtitles, network streams, playlists, and external drives. The Flatpak release is a useful fallback for media collected from cameras, phones, USB drives, or older computers. It is also a good way to avoid installing several separate players for different codecs.

Spotify brings music, podcasts, playlists, and downloaded app data to the Linux desktop. The Flatpak version is straightforward to update and keeps the application independent of Ubuntu’s package base. Subscription prices and features can change in the Australian market, so check the current AUD plan details before upgrading. Users on a metered connection should also review download settings, particularly when travelling between regional areas or using a mobile hotspot.

Foliate is a polished ebook reader for EPUB, Mobipocket, and other supported formats. It provides a clean reading interface, adjustable typography, themes, annotations, and library organisation without the clutter of a full office suite. It works well for public-domain books, technical manuals, and DRM-free purchases. On a commuter train in Melbourne or Sydney, a lightweight ebook reader can be more comfortable than opening a full browser tab for every chapter.

Gaming With Heroic Games Launcher

Heroic Games Launcher is the standout Flatpak for users who own games through Epic Games Store, GOG, or Amazon Prime Gaming. It provides a graphical way to sign in, install supported titles, manage Wine or Proton versions, and launch games without maintaining several separate compatibility tools manually. Results vary by title, but the application makes Linux gaming far less intimidating for newcomers.

Before installing a large game, check available storage and confirm that your graphics driver is current. Flatpak may need access to game directories on another drive, and permissions can be adjusted with Flatseal. Controllers generally work well through Linux input support, although individual games may require configuration. Australian players should also remember that download times can be noticeably different between fibre, fixed wireless, and mobile broadband connections.

Heroic is most useful when paired with realistic expectations. Some anti-cheat systems, launchers, and copy-protection tools still prevent particular Windows games from working properly. ProtonDB reports, game-specific forums, and the title’s current compatibility notes are better indicators than assuming every Windows release will run perfectly.

Keeping A Flatpak Setup Healthy

Flatpak works best when it becomes part of a simple maintenance routine. Run flatpak update every few weeks, especially before using an application for paid work or an important project. If an update introduces a problem, the previous version may remain available through the app’s history or a developer’s release channel. Keep Ubuntu itself updated as well, since graphics drivers, kernel support, and desktop integration still come from the operating system.

Avoid installing duplicate applications simply because they appear in several formats. Choose the version that fits your needs, then keep your documents in ordinary folders that can be backed up independently. A small external drive from an Australian retailer such as Officeworks or JB Hi-Fi can provide an inexpensive second copy of irreplaceable photos and notes, although the drive should be disconnected when it is not being used for backups.

The ten selections cover the essentials without turning the Ubuntu menu into a warehouse of rarely used software: LibreOffice and Obsidian for productive work, Firefox and Bitwarden for safer online activity, GIMP and Kdenlive for creative projects, VLC, Spotify, and Foliate for media, and Heroic Games Launcher for gaming. Together they provide current applications while preserving Ubuntu’s stability.

Start by installing Flatpak and Flathub, then add LibreOffice, Firefox, Bitwarden, and VLC first; after checking that updates and permissions work correctly, install the remaining apps that match your daily use.