this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2025
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Linux Package Managers Compared: APT, DNF, Pacman and Zypper (linuxblog.io)
submitted 1 month ago by cm0002@lemmy.zip to c/linux@programming.dev
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If you’ve hopped between Linux distributions as much as I have, you know that each major family of distros introduces you to a different package manager. At first, it can feel a bit daunting (apt on Debian/Ubuntu, dnf on RHEL/Fedora, pacman on Arch, and zypper on openSUSE), but these tools all serve the same purpose of installing and updating software.

After using Linux for years (across everything from Debian to Arch-based systems), I’ve grown comfortable with all of them. Even niche distros like Slackware, Gentoo, and Void. In this post, I’ll break down the major package managers, how they differ, and what it’s like to use each one. We’ll also touch on the universal package formats (Snap and Flatpak) that aim to work across distributions, and lastly mention a few niche package management systems. Let’s dive in!

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[–] dbtng@eviltoast.org 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Who are 'most users'?

[–] thingsiplay@beehaw.org 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I don't understand what you mean. What's not understandable about "most users"?

[–] dbtng@eviltoast.org 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I don't know these linux people that don't use package managers. So I asked.

[–] thingsiplay@beehaw.org 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I don't know what exactly you want to know actually. It's a generic wording / term. I'm not talking about a specific user group or something like that. I'm just saying, "people" do not HAVE to use a commandline package manager, if the system is configured to use a GUI manager for the packages.

In example SteamOS on the Steam Deck is configured in a way the user never need to use the terminal. There is the gaming mode, without a desktop and a click updates the system. And in desktop mode there is Discover pre-configured with Flathub for Flatpaks. Users don't have to use the terminal to install new applications or update them. Just as an example. I think openSUSE also has some GUI for that and doesn't Linux Mint have such a GUI too? Manjaro comes with their Pamac graphical tool.

[–] dbtng@eviltoast.org 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Ok, I can see that in SteamOS, users that don't directly interact with a package manager. That seems likely.

I would say that 'most users' of just about any linux distro know all about command line package managers.
So, my 'most users' and your 'most users' don't seem to be the same people.

[–] thingsiplay@beehaw.org 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I said "most users" in the sense of "nobody has to" and refer to everyone, including you and me. We don't have to use the commandline to update package managers, if we use a GUI for it. I didn't mean a specific number of people do or don't.

[–] dbtng@eviltoast.org 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Well, that's interesting. I guess linux really is going more mainstream, if that's the more common user experience. The users I know are mostly professionals that enjoy tinkering under the hood. Thanks for your perspective, stranger.

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 3 points 1 month ago

Can confirm, my parents on Tumbleweed don't tinker with cli.

[–] Quibblekrust@thelemmy.club 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I guess linux really is going more mainstream, if that's the more common user experience.

They didn't say that. They said most users don't have to. That says literally nothing about how many people do or do not use a GUI versus the command line. All that means is every modern distro has a GUI built in.

It's like you didn't even read their previous comments.