While various Linux distributions come with a number of default apps, users are free to take them out and use any of the free or paid alternatives of their choice. Today, we bring you a list of Linux applications that have been able to make it to users’ Linux installations almost all the time despite the butt-load of other alternatives.
Essential Most Used Linux Applications
To simply put, any app on this list is among the most used in its category, and if you haven’t already tried it out you are probably missing out. Enjoy!
Backup Tools
Rsync
Rsync is an open-source bandwidth-friendly utility tool for performing swift incremental file transfers and it is available for free.
Timeshift
Timeshift provides users with the ability to protect their system by taking incremental snapshots which can be reverted to at a different date – similar to the function of Time Machine in Mac OS and System restore in Windows.
deja-dup
Déjà Dup is a simple backup tool. It hides the complexity of backing up the Right Way (encrypted, off-site, and regular) and uses duplicity as the backend. . Features: * Support for local, remote, or cloud backup locations such as Nextcloud * Securely encrypts and compresses your data * Incrementally backs up, letting you restore from any particular backup * Schedules regular backups * Integrates well into your GNOME desktop
sudo apt update sudo apt install deja-dup
BitTorrent Client
Deluge
Deluge is a beautiful cross-platform BitTorrent client that aims to perfect the μTorrent experience and make it available to users for free.
Install Deluge on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deluge-team/ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install deluge
qBittorent
qBittorent is an open-source BitTorrent protocol client that aims to provide a free alternative to torrent apps like μTorrent.
Install qBittorent on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install qbittorrent
Transmission
Transmission is also a BitTorrent client with awesome functionalities and a major focus on speed and ease of use. It comes preinstalled with many Linux distros.
Install Transmission on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:transmissionbt/ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install transmission-gtk transmission-cli transmission-common transmission-daemon
Cloud Storage
Google Drive
Google Drive is Google’s cloud service solution and my guess is that it needs no introduction. Just like with Dropbox, you can sync files across all your connected devices. It starts with 15GB of storage for free and this includes Gmail, Google photos, Maps, etc.
Mega
Mega stands out from the rest because apart from being extremely security-conscious, it gives free users 50GB to do as they wish! Its end-to-end encryption ensures that they can’t access your data, and if you forget your recovery key, you too wouldn’t be able to.
Download MEGA Cloud Storage for Ubuntu
Commandline Editors
Vim
Vim is an open-source clone of vi text editor developed to be customizable and able to work with any type of text.
Install Vim on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonathonf/vim sudo apt update sudo apt install vim
Emacs
Emacs refers to a set of highly configurable text editors. The most popular variant, GNU Emacs, is written in Lisp and C to be self-documenting, extensible, and customizable.
Install Emacs on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelleyk/emacs sudo apt update sudo apt install emacs25
Nano
Nano is a feature-rich CLI text editor for power users and it has the ability to work with different terminals, among other functionalities.
Install Nano on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:n-muench/programs-ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install nano
Download Manager
Aria2
Aria2 is an open-source lightweight multi-source and multi-protocol command line-based downloader with support for Metalinks, torrents, HTTP/HTTPS, SFTP, etc.
Install Aria2 on Ubuntu and Debian, using the following command.
sudo apt-get install aria2
uGet
uGet has earned its title as the #1 open-source download manager for Linux distros and it features the ability to handle any downloading task you can throw at it including using multiple connections, using queues, categories, etc.
Install uGet on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:plushuang-tw/uget-stable sudo apt update sudo apt install uget
XDM
XDM, Xtreme Download Manager is an open-source downloader written in Java. Like any good download manager, it can work with queues, torrents, browsers, and it also includes a video grabber and a smart scheduler.
Install XDM on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/apps sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install xdman
Email Clients
Thunderbird
Thunderbird is among the most popular email applications. It is free, open-source, customizable, feature-rich, and above all, easy to install.
Install Thunderbird on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-mozilla-security/ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install thunderbird
Geary
Geary is an open-source email client based on WebKitGTK+. It is free, open-source, feature-rich, and adopted by the GNOME project.
Install Geary on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:geary-team/releases sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install geary
Evolution
Evolution is a free and open-source email client for managing emails, meeting schedules, reminders, and contacts.
Install Evolution on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnome3-team/gnome3-staging sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install evolution
Gaming
Steam
Steam is a video game digital distribution service responsible for thousands of gamers having access to the several now-available games for the Open Source community and gaming issues on Linux are virtually a thing of the past. If you’re a gamer, you can’t go wrong with Steam.
Install the Steam Snap app on Ubuntu via the terminal:
sudo apt install snapd sudo snap install linux-steam-integration
IDE Editors
Brackets
Brackets is an advanced text editor developed by Adobe to feature visual tools, preprocessor support, and a design-focused user flow for web development. In the hands of an expert, it can serve as an IDE in its own right.
Install Brackets on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/brackets sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install brackets
Atom IDE
Atom IDE is a more robust version of Atom text editor achieved by adding a number of extensions and libraries to boost its performance and functionalities. It is, in a sense, Atom on steroids.
Install Atom on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt-get install snapd sudo snap install atom --classic
Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a source code editor created by Microsoft to offer users the best-advanced features in a text editor including syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, performance statistics and graphs, etc.
Download Visual Studio Code for Ubuntu
Instant Messaging
Pidgin
Pidgin is an open-source instant messaging app that supports virtually all chatting platforms and can have its abilities extended using extensions.
Install Pidgin on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonathonf/backports sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install pidgin
Skype
Skype needs no introduction and its awesomeness is available for any interested Linux user.
Install Skype on Ubuntu and Debian, using the following commands.
sudo apt install snapd sudo snap install skype --classic
Empathy
Empathy is a messaging app with support for voice, video chat, text, and file transfers over multiple several protocols. It also allows you to add other service accounts to it and interface with all of them through it.
Install Empathy on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt-get install empathy
Linux Desktop Environments
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a free and open-source derivative of GNOME3 and it follows the traditional desktop metaphor conventions.
Install Cinnamon desktop on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:embrosyn/cinnamon sudo apt update sudo apt install cinnamon-desktop-environment lightdm
Mate
The Mate Desktop Environment is a derivative and continuation of GNOME2 developed to offer an attractive UI on Linux using traditional metaphors.
Install Mate desktop on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt install tasksel sudo apt update sudo tasksel install ubuntu-mate-desktop
GNOME
GNOME is a Desktop Environment comprised of several free and open-source applications and can run on any Linux distro and on most BSD derivatives.
Install Gnome desktop on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt install tasksel sudo apt update sudo tasksel install ubuntu-desktop
KDE
KDE is developed by the KDE community to provide users with a graphical solution to interfacing with their system and performing several computing tasks.
Install KDE desktop on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt install tasksel sudo apt update sudo tasksel install kubuntu-desktop
Linux Maintenance Tools
GNOME Tweak Tool
The GNOME Tweak Tool is the most popular tool for customizing and tweaking GNOME3 and GNOME Shell settings.
Install GNOME Tweak Tool on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt install gnome-tweak-tool
Stacer
Stacer is a free, open-source app for monitoring and optimizing Linux systems.
Install Stacer on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:oguzhaninan/stacer sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install stacer
BleachBit
BleachBit is a free disk space cleaner that also works as a privacy manager and system optimizer.
Linux Terminals
GNOME Terminal
GNOME Terminal is GNOME’s default terminal emulator.
Install Gnome Terminal on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt-get install gnome-terminal
Konsole
Konsole is a terminal emulator for KDE.
Install Konsole on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt-get install konsole
Terminator
Terminator is a feature-rich GNOME Terminal-based terminal app built with a focus on arranging terminals, among other functions.
Install Terminator on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt-get install terminator
Photo Editor
GIMP
GIMP is the most popular open-source Photoshop alternative and it is for a reason. It features various customization options, 3rd-party plugins, and a helpful user community.
Install Gimp on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp sudo apt update sudo apt install gimp
Music Players
Rhythmbox
Rhythmbox possesses the ability to perform all music tasks you throw at it and has so far proved to be a reliable music player that it ships with Ubuntu.
Install Rhythmbox on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:fossfreedom/rhythmbox sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install rhythmbox
Lollypop
Lollypop is a beautiful, relatively new, open-source music player featuring a number of advanced options like online radio, scrubbing support and party mode. Yet, it manages to keep everything simple and easy to manage.
Install Lollypop on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gnumdk/lollypop sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install lollypop
Office Suites
LibreOffice
LibreOffice the most actively developed office suite in the open-source community, LibreOffice is known for its reliability and its functions can be increased using extensions.
Install LibreOffice on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa sudo apt update sudo apt install libreoffice
WPS Office
WPS Office is a beautiful office suite alternative with a more modern UI.
Download WPS Office for Ubuntu
Only Office
Only Office is the new office suite for Linux that is on the rise.
Download Only Office for Ubuntu
Screenshot Tools
Shutter
Shutter allows users to take screenshots of their desktop and then edit them using filters and other effects coupled with the option to upload and share them online.
Install Shutter on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:shutter/ppa sudo apt update sudo apt install shutter
Kazam
Kazam screen caster captures screen content to output a video and audio file supported by any video player with VP8/WebM and PulseAudio support.
Install Kazam on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kazam-team/unstable-series sudo apt update sudo apt install kazam python3-cairo python3-xlib
Gnome Screenshot
Gnome Screenshot was once bundled with Gnome utilities but is now a standalone app. It can be used to take screencasts in a format that is easily shareable.
Install Gnome Screenshot on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install gnome-screenshot
Screen Recorders
SimpleScreenRecorder
SimpleScreenRecorder was created to be better than the screen-recording apps available at the time of its creation and has now turned into one of the most efficient and easy-to-use screen recorders for Linux distros.
Install SimpleScreenRecorder on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:maarten-baert/simplescreenrecorder sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install simplescreenrecorder
Text Editors
Atom
Atom is a modern and customizable text editor created and maintained by GitHub. It is ready for use right out of the box and can have its functionality enhanced and its UI customized using extensions and themes.
Install Atom on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt-get install snapd sudo snap install atom --classic
Sublime Text
Sublime Text is easily among the most awesome text editors to date. It is customizable, lightweight (even when bulldozed with a lot of data files and extensions), flexible, and remains free to use forever.
Install Sublime Text on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo apt-get install snapd sudo snap install sublime-text
To-Do List Apps
Evernote
Evernote is a cloud-based note-taking productivity app designed to work perfectly with different types of notes including to-do lists and reminders.
Everdo
Everdo is a beautiful, security-conscious, low-friction Getting-Things-Done app productivity app for handling to-dos and other note types. If Evernote comes off to you in an unpleasant way, Everdo is a perfect alternative.
Video Players
VLC
VLC is my favourite video player and it’s so awesome that it can play almost any audio and video format you throw at it. You can also use it to play internet radio, record desktop sessions, and stream movies online.
Install VLC on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/stable-daily sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install vlc
Web Browsers
Chrome
Google Chrome is undoubtedly the most popular browser. Known for its speed, simplicity, security, and beauty following Google’s Material Design trend, Chrome is a browser that web developers cannot do without. It is also free to use and open source.
Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu and Debian, using the following commands.
wget -q -O - https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add - sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google.list' sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install google-chrome-stable
Firefox
Firefox Quantum is a beautiful, speed, task-ready, and customizable browser capable of any browsing task that you throw at it. It is also free, open-source, and packed with developer-friendly tools that are easy for even beginners to get up and running with.
Install Firefox Quantum on Ubuntu and Debian, using following commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/firefox-next sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade sudo apt install firefox
Vivaldi
Vivaldi is a free and open-source Chrome-based project that aims to perfect Chrome’s features with a couple of more feature additions. It is known for its colourful panels, memory-friendly performance, and flexibility.
Brave
Brave is a free and open-source Chrome-based project that aims to perfect Chrome’s features with a couple of more feature additions. It is known for its ad powerful blocker, BAT tokens & more.
