Ultimate Guide to Installing Software on Ubuntu 24.04

Ubuntu 24.04 is a powerful and user-friendly Linux distribution, but new users often wonder how to install software efficiently. In this guide, we’ll explore multiple ways to install applications, from traditional package managers to direct .deb installations.

1. Installing Software via APT (Recommended)

APT (Advanced Package Tool) is the default package manager in Ubuntu. It’s the easiest and safest way to install software as it handles dependencies automatically.

To install a package, use the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install package-name

For example, to install VLC media player:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install vlc

2. Installing Software via Snap

Snap is a universal package format supported by Canonical. Snaps are self-contained and include dependencies, making them easy to install.

To install a Snap package, use:

sudo snap install package-name

For example, to install the latest version of Spotify:

sudo snap install spotify

3. Installing Software via Flatpak

Flatpak is another universal package format. First, install Flatpak support:

sudo apt install flatpak

Then, add the Flathub repository:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

To install an application, use:

flatpak install flathub package-name

For example, to install GIMP:

flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP

4. Installing Software from a .deb Package

Some applications provide .deb installation files, which you can download from their official websites. To install a .deb package, use:

sudo dpkg -i package-name.deb

For example, to install Google Chrome:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

If there are missing dependencies, fix them with:

sudo apt -f install

5. Installing Software via AppImage

AppImage is a portable application format that doesn’t require installation. Simply download the AppImage file, make it executable, and run it:

chmod +x application.AppImage
./application.AppImage

For example, to run Krita:

wget https://download.kde.org/stable/krita/5.2.2/krita-5.2.2-x86_64.appimage
chmod +x krita-5.2.2-x86_64.appimage
./krita-5.2.2-x86_64.appimage

6. Installing Software via PPA (Personal Package Archive)

Some applications are not available in the official repositories, but developers provide PPAs. To add a PPA and install software:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:repository-name
sudo apt update
sudo apt install package-name

For example, to install the latest version of LibreOffice:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libreoffice

Conclusion

Ubuntu 24.04 offers multiple ways to install software, each suited for different scenarios. For most users, APT and Snap are the easiest options, while .deb packages and PPAs are useful for getting the latest software releases. Choose the method that works best for you and enjoy your Ubuntu experience!