10 Recommended Apps for Linux! From Image Management to Coding and Steam Gaming 【Image Generation AI / Pop!_OS】

Introduction

Hello, this is Kimama / Easygoing.

In the previous article, I introduced Linux distributions that are easy for beginners to install.

This time, I will introduce 10 recommended apps for Linux.

Installing Apps via the Store

Most modern Linux distributions come with a built-in app store for distributing applications.

The app store works similarly to Android’s Google Play or iOS’s App Store, allowing you to browse and install a wide variety of apps with simple operations.

On Pop!_OS, which I introduced in the previous article, the app distribution center is called the COSMIC Store.

Flatpak vs. apt Formats

Linux applications generally come in two main formats.

flowchart LR

subgraph Sandbox
B1("App (Flatpak)")
end

subgraph System

A1(Linux OS)
A2("App (apt/deb)")

end

A1-->A2
A2-->A1
A1--->B1
B1--->A1

• Flatpak (Flathub): Runs the app in an isolated environment (sandbox) separate from the OS.
• System (apt/deb): Installs and runs the app within the same system as the OS.

Flatpak Format

Flatpak is a newer format that first appeared in 2015. It runs applications in an environment isolated from the OS.

Since Flatpak apps cannot interfere with the OS unless the user explicitly grants permission, they offer excellent security and stability. However, you need to assign appropriate permissions to each app.

apt Format (deb Packages)

The apt/deb format is the traditional method and installs applications directly into the system, similar to Windows.

While apt/deb apps can easily integrate with the OS and other programs, they carry security risks because they can modify the system. There is also a risk of dependency conflicts that can make the OS unstable.

When installing a new app, I recommend trying the Flatpak version first. If it doesn’t work properly, then switch to the apt/deb version.

10 Recommended Apps

Here are 10 Linux apps that I actually use and highly recommend.

1. Google Chrome (Flatpak)

• Google’s web browser
• Seamless integration with Google Account, Gmail, and other Google services
• Notifications may sometimes display incorrectly

Chrome is Google’s browser and integrates smoothly with Google Account, Gmail, and other Google services.

Since Chrome can sync across devices, using it on Linux feels just as convenient as on Windows or Mac with almost no inconvenience.

The Flatpak version of Chrome sometimes has issues with notification display, but minimizing and then maximizing the window usually fixes the problem.

2. Ungoogled Chromium (Flatpak)

flowchart TB

subgraph Google

A1(Chromium)
A2(Chrome)

end

B1(Ungoogled Chromium)

A1-->A2
A1---->|Removed Google-related features|B1

• Removes Google-related features from Chrome
• Excellent privacy protection
• Supports Chrome extensions

Chromium is the open-source browser project released by Google. The Chrome browser is built on top of Chromium.

Ungoogled Chromium is a version of Chromium with Google-related features removed. Because it does not send data to Google, it offers better privacy protection.

I use Ungoogled Chromium when browsing sites that don’t require a Google Account login, or when using ComfyUI locally.

Ungoogled Chromium supports almost all Chrome extensions.

3. digiKam (Flatpak)

• Powerful image database management software
• Creates a database of all your images
• Rich features including face detection and batch metadata conversion

digiKam is a highly functional image database management tool.

Originally designed for managing photos, it supports AI-powered face detection and batch metadata editing. It can also be used effectively for managing AI-generated images.

digiKam builds a database of every image on your PC, so the first launch may take some time. However, once the database is complete, you can browse your images at high speed.

digiKam is also available as a free Windows version.

4. XnView MP (Flatpak)

• Creates thumbnail files for each folder
• Convenient for use with NAS
• Japanese input is not supported on the Linux version

XnView MP is another image database management tool similar to digiKam.

While digiKam creates a database for the entire PC, XnView MP generates the necessary thumbnail files on a per-folder basis.

If you use a NAS and access the same folders from multiple devices, XnView MP is more convenient because the thumbnails are stored per folder, resulting in faster loading and better synchronization across devices.

The downside of XnView MP on Linux is that it does not support Japanese input. When you need to enter Japanese file names, use digiKam instead.

The Windows version of XnView MP supports Japanese input without issues.

5. Photocrea (Flatpak)

• Image editing app similar to Photoshop
• Lightweight and fast
• No advertisements

Photocrea is a lightweight image editing app that offers an interface and workflow similar to Photoshop.

It is essentially the online app Photopea wrapped to run locally on Linux, and it does not display any ads.

While Linux has powerful open-source editors like GIMP and Krita, Photocrea is very convenient for quick edits on AI illustrations because it is lightweight and focused on essential features.

6. VSCodium (apt)

• Same usability as Visual Studio Code
• Completely free license
• Disables Copilot and Microsoft telemetry

VSCodium is a highly functional coding editor that is very similar to Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code.

Although Visual Studio Code is open source, the official builds distributed by Microsoft include additional license restrictions during the build process.

It is said that you cannot disable Copilot integration or Microsoft telemetry in the official Visual Studio Code due to licensing.

VSCodium is built by the community separately from Microsoft. It offers exactly the same user experience and is released under a completely free license.

I use VSCodium as my terminal environment on Linux as well, so I install the apt version (which integrates with the OS) instead of the Flatpak version.

Installation commands for the apt version of VSCodium (copy and paste into the terminal)

# Step 1: Add the repository signing key
curl -fsSL https://gitlab.com/paulcarroty/vscodium-deb-rpm-repo/raw/master/pub.gpg |
  sudo gpg --dearmor --yes -o /usr/share/keyrings/vscodium-archive-keyring.gpg

# Step 2: Register the VSCodium repository
echo -e 'Types: deb
URIs: https://download.vscodium.com/debs
Suites: vscodium
Components: main
Architectures: amd64 arm64
Signed-by: /usr/share/keyrings/vscodium-archive-keyring.gpg' |
  sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscodium.sources

# Step 3: Update and install
sudo apt update
sudo apt install codium

7. Clipboard Manager (COSMIC Exclusive)

• Exclusive app for Pop!_OS
• Displays clipboard history
• Can be added as an applet

Clipboard Manager is a clipboard history app designed specifically for the COSMIC desktop environment on Pop!_OS.

You can launch it, click on any past item with the mouse, and paste it instantly.

Clipboard Manager is a COSMIC-exclusive app and can be placed on the panel or dock as an applet.

8. CopyQ (Flatpak)

• Highly functional clipboard history app
• Also can register boilerplate text
• Available on Windows and Mac

CopyQ is another feature-rich clipboard history application.

I mainly use the earlier Clipboard Manager for everyday copy & paste, but I also use CopyQ to store and manage frequently used text snippets.

Registering your ComfyUI launch command in CopyQ makes it very convenient to call and execute it quickly.

CopyQ is also available for Windows and macOS.

9. Steam (Flatpak)

• The most popular gaming platform
• Most games (80–90%) can run on Linux
• Some FPS titles are unplayable due to anti-cheat systems

Steam is the world’s most widely used game distribution and execution platform, developed by the American company Valve.

Valve has developed its own framework called Proton to run Windows games on Linux, and they also maintain SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system.

I don’t own many Steam games, but almost all of the titles I do own run without issues on Linux.

However, some FPS titles such as Apex Legends restrict Linux execution due to anti-cheat measures.

Steam is available both as an official apt version from Valve and a community-maintained Flatpak version. In my environment, the Flatpak version (from Flathub) works perfectly, so I recommend using it.

10. Flatseal (Flatpak)

• Manage permissions for Flatpak apps
• User-friendly GUI

Flatseal is an app that lets you configure permissions for each Flatpak application through an easy-to-use graphical interface.

You can fine-tune access to storage, network, camera, microphone, and more for every app.

For example, to allow the Steam app to use the GPU, select Steam from the app list on the left and turn on the GPU acceleration toggle switch.

If a Flatpak app isn’t working as expected, try adjusting the permissions while consulting with AI — it often helps.

Summary: Try Adding Apps on Linux

• Add apps easily from the app store
• Flatpak is safe and secure
• Plenty of privacy-conscious apps available

In this article, I explained how to add applications on Linux.

Modern Linux distributions include an app store by default, making it very easy to install new software.

Linux does not send your information to Microsoft like Windows does, and it offers many privacy-focused applications.

Because Flatpak apps run inside a sandbox, they have almost no impact on the OS, so feel free to try them out.

Thank you for reading until the end!