In the Linux world—especially in Ubuntu and Debian-based distributions—the two most popular software management tools are APT (Advanced Package Tool) and Snap. Both allow you to install, update, and remove software, but they work differently in terms of mechanism, performance, and user experience.
Quick Overview
| Criteria | APT (Advanced Package Tool) | Snap |
|---|---|---|
| System Type | Traditional (Debian-based) | Modern, cross-platform |
| Package Format | .deb | .snap |
| Dependencies | Installs external dependencies | Bundles all dependencies |
| Updates | Manual, customizable | Automatic by default |
| Installation Location | System directories | Isolated location (sandboxed) |
| Package Size | Smaller, uses shared libraries | Larger due to bundling |
| Startup Speed | Faster | Slower (due to squashfs unpacking) |
| Security | Depends on system permissions | Sandboxed, better control |
| Distro Support | Debian, Ubuntu, Mint… | Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch… |
When Should You Use APT?
APT is ideal for environments requiring high performance, flexible configurations, and controlled updates.
📌 When deploying an internal LEMP server (Linux, Nginx, MariaDB, PHP) for the company, I chose APT to ensure that each package is installed at the correct version, lightweight, and optimized for just 2GB RAM — without the risk of sudden updates interrupting operations.
Moreover, in production environments where stability is key, APT remains a reliable core tool.
Basic APT commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install gedit
sudo apt remove geditWhen Should You Use Snap?
Snap shines in environments that need simplicity, stability, and independent packaging. Its self-contained nature reduces the risk of library conflicts and improves stability — ideal for general users or those who want a plug-and-play experience without deep system tweaking.
🧪 While testing a web application, I needed to run multiple versions of Postman simultaneously to test APIs. Using traditional .deb packages required complex configurations or manual builds. With Snap, I just ran a few commands and had both versions coexisting — super convenient and without affecting the main system.
🎯 However, Snap comes with a trade-off:
- Snap apps run in a sandbox with restricted system access.
- Deep configuration or system-level tweaking is difficult or sometimes impossible.
- Snap apps usually start slower due to the squashfs decompression process.
As a developer, I rarely use Snap for software development — I need control, versioning, and deep system configurations. Sometimes even tweaking a config file becomes tricky or requires workarounds with Snap.
📦 Beyond the command line, Snap also offers Snap Store — similar to the App Store or Microsoft Store — allowing easy GUI-based app search, installation, and updates. On Ubuntu, Snap Store is typically integrated into Ubuntu Software, making it more accessible to newcomers.
Software Update Management
📦 With APT:
APT does not auto-update packages by default (unless auto-update services are installed), making it suitable for strict update control.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
sudo systemctl disable apt-daily.timer # Disable automatic updates if needed⚙️ With Snap:
Snap auto-updates on a scheduled basis. But you can tweak this behavior:
sudo snap set core refresh.schedule=2:00-3:00
snap refresh --hold # Temporarily pause updates
snap list --all # View all installed Snap versions💡 I usually schedule Snap updates at night to avoid workday disruptions — very handy when testing multiple versions in a project.
Security & Storage Structure
- APT: Installs directly into the system and has full permissions. This improves performance but poses a risk if a package has security vulnerabilities.
- Snap: Each app runs in its own sandbox, limiting system access. Snap also supports rollback functionality, letting you revert to older versions in case of bugs — very safe for testing new software.
Conclusion & Usage Suggestions
| Usage Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Servers, lightweight systems, high performance | ✅ APT |
| Installing new software, multiple versions | ✅ Snap |
| DevOps projects requiring fast packaging/distribution | ✅ Snap |
| Focus on security, rollback, sandboxing | ✅ Snap |
| Full control over system configuration | ✅ APT |
From practical experience, APT is the core tool of any Linux system — powerful, standard, and especially well-suited for critical tasks, servers, or development environments. In contrast, Snap feels like a modern assistant — perfect for everyday users, testers, or quick setups where deep configuration isn’t necessary.
Understanding the strengths and limitations of both allows you to use them together more effectively, depending on your needs.
FAQ
1. Why does Ubuntu use Snap by default for some apps instead of APT?
Answer:
Starting from Ubuntu 20.04, Snap is preferred for some GUI applications (like Firefox, Chromium) because:
- Stability: Snap packages dependencies to prevent library conflicts.
- Ease of maintenance: Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) can manage updates centrally without affecting the system.
- Cross-platform: Snap runs across many distributions.
Note: You can still install the .deb version for better performance if needed.
2. How can I completely disable automatic Snap updates?
Answer:
Snap updates automatically by default, but you can disable it:
sudo systemctl stop snapd.refresh.timer # Stop the update timer
sudo systemctl disable snapd.refresh.timer # Permanently disable itOr delay updates for a specific package:
sudo snap refresh --hold <package-name>3. Snap takes up more space than APT. How do I clean it up?
Answer:
Snap stores older versions for rollback, which takes up disk space. Clean it with:
sudo snap set system refresh.retain=2 # Keep only the 2 latest versions
sudo snap clean --purge # Clear cache and unused versionsTo check how much space Snap uses:.
du -h /var/lib/snapd