Must-Have Ubuntu Apps: Essential apt, Snap, and Flatpak Picks for 25.04

A new Ubuntu laptop feels complete until you need a annotated screenshot, a system restore point, or a password manager that syncs across machines. The must-have apps for Ubuntu are not a hundred-item download spree—they are a short list of tools that fill gaps the default desktop leaves open, installed through apt, Snap, or Flatpak depending on what the archive actually ships.

I trimmed recommendations against what installs cleanly on Ubuntu 25.04, checked package versions with apt-cache policy, and grouped picks by job so you can adopt one category at a time. Preinstalled apps are called out first so you do not reinstall Firefox or LibreOffice by habit.

Tested on: Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin); kernel 6.14.0-37-generic.

Quick starter bundle (apt)

If you want a sane baseline in one pass, these packages are all in universe or main on Plucky and resolved on my host without PPAs:

bash


sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y \
  vlc gimp gnome-tweaks flameshot peek copyq \
  htop btop fastfetch timeshift bleachbit keepassxc \
  syncthing filezilla transmission-gtk \
  git build-essential ripgrep fd-find fzf \
  ffmpeg audacity inkscape kdenlive handbrake \
  steam-installer lutris flatpak

A dry-run on this machine pulled current candidates such as vlc 3.0.21, gimp 3.0.2, flameshot 12.1.0, keepassxc 2.7.9, syncthing 1.29.2, and bleachbit 4.6.2. Your mirror may differ slightly by point release, but the set should install without extra repositories.

After flatpak is installed, add Flathub once:

bash

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

What Ubuntu already includes

Skip reinstalling these on a default desktop install—they are already must-haves, just preloaded:

App	Role
Firefox	Web browser
Thunderbird	Email (optional; disable if unused)
LibreOffice	Office suite
Files (Nautilus)	File manager
Terminal	Shell access
Settings / Software	System config and graphical package browsing
Calculator, Calendar, Clock	Everyday utilities
Image Viewer, Document Viewer	PDF and photos
Rhythmbox / Videos	Music and video (many users still add VLC)
Screenshot	Basic captures
Baobab (Disk Usage Analyzer)	See what fills the disk—pair with check disk space on Linux

If LibreOffice is heavier than you need, you can remove LibreOffice from Ubuntu and swap in OnlyOffice from Snap—but do not install two full office suites unless you mean to.

apt vs Snap vs Flatpak

Source	When to use it	Trade-off
apt	Package exists in `apt search`	Best system integration; security updates with `apt upgrade`
Snap	App published on Snap Store, missing from apt	Auto-updates; some apps feel slower to start
Flatpak	Flathub build; sandboxed GUI apps	Use Flatseal to review permissions; themes may need extra work

On Ubuntu 25.04 several popular names are not in apt—telegram-desktop, onlyoffice-desktopeditors, code (VS Code), and obsidian need Snap, vendor .deb, or Flatpak. Searching first saves frustration:

bash


apt search '^vlc$'
snap find telegram
flatpak search obsidian

System, tuning, and monitoring

App	Why it is a must-have	Install
GNOME Tweaks	Theme, fonts, touchpad, window buttons, extensions shell	`sudo apt install gnome-tweaks`
Extension Manager	Install GNOME Shell extensions without hunting browsers	`flatpak install flathub com.mattjakeman.ExtensionManager`
Flatseal	Review Flatpak network and filesystem permissions	`sudo apt install flatseal`
htop / btop	Live CPU, memory, and process view in the terminal	`sudo apt install htop btop`
fastfetch	Quick system info card (replaces unmaintained Neofetch)	`sudo apt install fastfetch`
GNOME System Monitor	GUI resource graphs	`sudo apt install gnome-system-monitor` (often preinstalled)
Caffeine	Prevent screen lock during long video or builds	`sudo apt install caffeine`
CopyQ	Clipboard history and pinned snippets	`sudo apt install copyq`

Backup, security, and maintenance

App	Why it is a must-have	Install
Timeshift	BTRFS or RSYNC snapshots before major upgrades	`sudo apt install timeshift`
KeePassXC	Local password database; no cloud required	`sudo apt install keepassxc`
Syncthing	Encrypted folder sync between your own devices	`sudo apt install syncthing`
BleachBit	Preview and clear caches safely	`sudo apt install bleachbit` — see Ubuntu disk cleaner

For optional malware scanning (NAS, mail, cross-platform files), read does Ubuntu need antivirus?—ClamAV is separate from cache cleaners.

WARNING

Run BleachBit and Timeshift with previews or dry runs first. Blind “clean all” in a GUI janitor can remove apt package lists you still need.

Screenshots and screen recording

App	Why it is a must-have	Install
Flameshot	Region capture, arrows, blur, clipboard workflow	`sudo apt install flameshot`
Peek	Short GIF/WebM recordings of a screen region	`sudo apt install peek`

Bind Flameshot to Print Screen under Settings → Keyboard → Screenshots so it replaces the default tool.

Media, photos, and audio

App	Why it is a must-have	Install
VLC	Plays almost any file; DVDs and streams	`sudo apt install vlc`
Celluloid / mpv	Minimal GNOME video players	`sudo apt install celluloid mpv`
ffmpeg	Convert, trim, and stream from the shell	`sudo apt install ffmpeg` — see install ffprobe on Ubuntu
Audacity	Record and edit audio tracks	`sudo apt install audacity`
Shortwave	Internet radio with a simple GTK UI	`sudo apt install shortwave`

Creativity and document work

App	Why it is a must-have	Install
GIMP	Raster editing (photos, UI mockups)	`sudo apt install gimp`
Inkscape	Vector graphics and SVG	`sudo apt install inkscape`
Kdenlive	Non-linear video editing	`sudo apt install kdenlive`
HandBrake	Transcode video for smaller files or devices	`sudo apt install handbrake`
OnlyOffice	Microsoft Office–friendly documents (if you skip LibreOffice)	`sudo snap install onlyoffice-desktopeditors`
Foliate	Clean ePub reader	`sudo apt install foliate`

Productivity and communication

App	Why it is a must-have	Install
Geary	Lightweight IMAP desktop mail	`sudo apt install geary`
Telegram Desktop	Synced chat (not in apt on 25.04)	`sudo snap install telegram-desktop`
Signal	Encrypted messaging (Flatpak)	`flatpak install flathub org.signal.Signal`
Obsidian	Markdown notes vault (Flatpak)	`flatpak install flathub md.obsidian.Obsidian`
FileZilla	SFTP and FTP for remote files	`sudo apt install filezilla`
Transmission	BitTorrent when you need it	`sudo apt install transmission-gtk`

FileZilla connects to remote servers; if you want this machine to host shared folders instead, see set up a NAS server on Ubuntu for Samba and NFS.

Development and terminal power tools

App	Why it is a must-have	Install
git + build-essential	Source control and compile toolchain	`sudo apt install git build-essential`
Visual Studio Code	Popular editor (Snap)	`sudo snap install code --classic`
Docker	Containers for services and CI-like workflows	`sudo apt install docker.io` — add your user to the `docker` group
Distrobox	Run other distros inside containers with tight desktop integration	`sudo apt install distrobox`
ripgrep, fd-find, fzf	Fast search and fuzzy picking in the shell	`sudo apt install ripgrep fd-find fzf`
Yazi	Modern terminal file manager	`sudo apt install yazi` or see install Yazi on Ubuntu
tmux	Persistent terminal sessions over SSH	tmux cheat sheet

On Ubuntu, fd-find installs as fdfind. Symlink if a tool expects fd:

bash

sudo ln -sf /usr/bin/fdfind /usr/local/bin/fd

Gaming

App	Why it is a must-have	Install
Steam	Largest native and Proton game library on Linux	`sudo apt install steam-installer` then launch Steam from the app menu
Lutris	Wine, Epic, GOG, and custom installers in one UI	`sudo apt install lutris`

Steam’s first launch downloads the full client and drivers may need a reboot. For Windows-only titles, check ProtonDB before you buy.

Nice extras (install when you need them)

App	Use case	Install
Tilix	Tiling terminal emulator	`sudo apt install tilix`
Virt Manager	KVM virtual machines	`sudo apt install virt-manager`
Stacer	GUI overview of startup, caches, and services	`sudo apt install stacer`
Distrobox + Podman	Test packages from other distros without a full VM	`sudo apt install distrobox podman`

What to skip or replace

Common suggestion	Reality on Ubuntu 25.04
Neofetch	Unmaintained; use fastfetch
Empathy / Pidgin	Legacy chat; use Telegram, Signal, or Matrix clients
Third-party Chrome .deb + Firefox	Pick one primary browser unless you need Chrome for testing
LibreOffice + OnlyOffice + WPS	One office suite is enough
Every PPA on “must-have” lists	Prefer apt, Snap, or Flatpak before adding unknown PPAs
Cawbird and old Twitter clients	Unmaintained; use the web or current official apps

Lists from 2016–2020 often pin PPAs that no longer publish for current Ubuntu codenames. Always run apt search or check Software before you add a repository.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
`Unable to locate package`	Wrong name or missing universe	`sudo add-apt-repository universe && sudo apt update`
Snap app will not start	Old revision or missing plug	`snap refresh`; check `snap connections`
Flatpak app has no theme	Portal or runtime gap	Install `gnome-tweaks`; use Flatseal only for permissions
`fd: command not found` after installing fd-find	Ubuntu package name	Symlink `fdfind` to `fd`
Steam asks for 32-bit libs	Multiarch not enabled	Follow Steam’s on-screen prompt; `sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386`
Two copies of the same app in the menu	apt + Snap + Flatpak	Keep one channel; remove duplicates with `apt purge`, `snap remove`, or `flatpak uninstall`

References

Summary

Must-have Ubuntu apps start with what the desktop already ships—browser, files, office, and terminal—then add targeted tools: gnome-tweaks, flameshot, htop or btop, timeshift, keepassxc, vlc, ffmpeg, and git cover most daily gaps from apt alone. Pull Telegram, OnlyOffice, and VS Code from Snap when apt has no package; use Flatpak for Signal, Obsidian, and Extension Manager. Install one app per role, prefer apt when the archive is current, and replace outdated favorites like Neofetch with fastfetch on modern releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are must-have apps for Ubuntu?

Start with what Ubuntu already ships—Firefox, Files, LibreOffice, and Terminal—then add a small set for your workflow: gnome-tweaks and flameshot for desktop use, vlc and ffmpeg for media, keepassxc and timeshift for security and backups, and git plus build-essential if you develop. Install extras from apt first, then Snap or Flatpak when the archive does not carry the app.

2. Does Ubuntu come with enough apps preinstalled?

A fresh Ubuntu desktop install covers browsing, email, office work, photos, music, and basic settings. You still benefit from a few add-ons: a better screenshot tool, system monitor, password manager, backup utility, and maybe a dedicated video player or IDE depending on how you use the machine.

3. Should I use apt, Snap, or Flatpak for Ubuntu apps?

Prefer apt packages from Ubuntu main and universe when they exist—they update with the system and integrate cleanly. Use Snap for apps like Telegram or OnlyOffice that are not in the archive. Use Flatpak for sandboxed desktop apps such as Signal, Obsidian, or Extension Manager when you want Flathub versions.

4. What is the best video player for Ubuntu?

VLC (3.0.x on Ubuntu 25.04) plays almost every format and is the safe default. Celluloid and mpv are lighter GNOME-friendly players in universe if you want a minimal UI. Install ffmpeg alongside any of them for command-line conversion and scripting.

5. What is the best screenshot tool on Ubuntu?

Ubuntu includes a basic Screenshot app. Flameshot is the must-have upgrade: region capture, arrows, blur for redaction, and copy-to-clipboard. Install with sudo apt install flameshot and bind it in Settings → Keyboard → Screenshots.

6. How do I install must-have apps from the terminal?

Run sudo apt update, then sudo apt install PACKAGE. For Snaps use sudo snap install NAME. For Flatpak run flatpak install flathub APPID after installing flatpak and adding the Flathub remote. Search with apt search, snap find, or flatpak search before you install.

7. Is Neofetch still a must-have on Ubuntu?

Neofetch is unmaintained. fastfetch in universe is the modern replacement—run fastfetch in a terminal for OS, kernel, desktop, and theme info. btop or htop covers live process monitoring.

8. What apps do I need for gaming on Ubuntu?

Install steam-installer from apt for the Steam client, then lutris for managing Wine and non-Steam launchers. Enable 32-bit libraries and current GPU drivers before you expect Proton titles to run well. MangoHud and GameMode are optional performance extras in universe.