For desktop apps Flatpak is almost certainly a better option than Docker. Flatpak has the same general concepts but Flatpak is more suited for distributing graphical apps.
- Built in support for sharing graphics drives, display server connections, fonts and themes.
- Most Flatpaks use common base images. Not only will this save disk space if you have lots of GNOME applications as they will share the same base but it also means that you can ship security updates for common libraries separately from application updates. (Although locked insecure libraries is still a problem in general, it is just improved over the docker case.)
- Better desktop integration via the use of “portals” that allow requesting specific things (screenshot, open file, save file, …) without full access to the user’s system.
- Configuration UIs that are optimized for the desktop usecase. Graphically tools for install, uninstall, manage permissions, …
Generally I would still default to my distro’s packages where possible, but if they are unsuitable for whatever reason (not available, too old, …) then a Flatpak is a great option.
towerful@programming.dev 3 months ago
Docker is to servers, as flatpak is to desktop apps.
I would probably run away if i saw flatpak on a headless server
matcha_addict@lemy.lol 3 months ago
Flatpak has better security features than docker. While its true it’s not designed with server apps in mind, it is possible to use its underlying “bubblewrap” to create isolated environments