Flatpak is the next-generation technology for building and installing desktop applications. It has the power to revolutionize the Linux desktop ecosystem.
Learn MoreThe list of Flatpak applications is growing all the time and includes Spotify, Skype and Telegram.
New releases of applications appear sooner with Flatpak.
Unlike package managers, Flatpak can safely update applications on the fly.
Simultaneously install multiple versions of the same application.
Flatpak's sandboxing technology prevents exploits and hinders malicious applications.
Create one app bundle and distribute it to the entire Linux desktop market.
Develop and test your application in an environment that's identical to the one users have.
Flatpak's build tools are simple and easy to use, and come with a full set of documentation.
Runtimes provide stable sets of dependencies that can be used by applications.
Dependencies that aren't in a runtime can be bundled as part of an application. Versions of the dependencies that are used can be fixed and patched.
Runtimes are forward compatible, irrespective of distribution changes. Flatpak applications run on new Linux distribution versions as they are released.
Flatpak might be a new technology, but it's not a new idea. It grew out of the experience of long-standing Linux desktop engineers, and has been in the planning for years.
Flatpak is developed by an independent community, made up of volunteers and contributors from supporting organizations. Its lead developer is Alex Larsson, Principal Engineer at Red Hat. Alex has been working on critical open source projects for almost 20 years.
All our code is freely available, with no contributor agreement required. We collaborate and liase with other communities and projects as much as possible, and welcome their input.
For more information, see our FAQ, command line and developer guidelines and the developer wiki.
