shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Snapcraft?

Snaps are universal Linux packages - snapcraft.io

Depends. Buy if you ship Linux apps or run Ubuntu/IoT device fleets and want one packaging format with auto-updates. Skip it if you run non-Ubuntu distros, hate vendor lock-in, or need maximum app performance.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~50 public sources; most snippets truncated, so numeric detail is limited.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

Free

Public Snap Store

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Private store / IoT servicesPaid via Ubuntu

Best for

  • Ubuntu-centric desktop fleets
  • IoT device makers needing managed updates
  • Developers shipping cross-distro Linux apps
  • Teams wanting sandboxed, auto-updating packages

Not for

  • Debian/Fedora users allergic to Canonical control
  • Performance-sensitive apps — snaps run slower than .debs
  • Anyone wanting simple native apt installs
  • Security-averse teams uneasy about store malware reports

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Guess: store backend is closed-source; publishing ties you to Canonical infrastructure

medium

Private stores for commercial IoT require paid Ubuntu agreements

medium

Builds can pass but fail at runtime — test thoroughly before release

low

Documentation lives on a forum — users call it a bad design

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Universal Linux packages that run across distros
  • Regular automatic security updates out of the box
  • Snaps can be self-hosted outside the official store
  • Canonical tracks and resolves security vulnerabilities publicly
  • Adopted by KDE, Slack,, AWS IoT Greengrass

Cons

  • Users report snap apps run slower than .deb versions
  • Hijacked apps on the store delivered crypto-stealing malware
  • Persistent community criticism of snap since 2019
  • Manual package reviews create publishing bottlenecks

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/26/2026 - 8 sources - Multiple past CVEs in packaging tooling; researchers have found malware distributed via the store itself.

official x2review x3security x3
  • CVE-2020-27348 in snapcraft, Vulnerability in snapcraft tracked by NVD; details in the CVE record.
  • Snapcraft 4.4.4 library injection, Library injection vulnerability affecting built snaps; fixed in 4.4.4 release.
  • Malware via hijacked store apps, Linux users targeted by crypto thieves through hijacked apps on Snap Store, January 2026.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 4/5

    Rating

  • Free

    Starting price

  • 8

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 4/5. Free for core use; paid only private/IoT
  • Ease of use: 2/5. Users report slower apps; build failures common
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Channels, sandboxing, private stores, self-hosting
  • Support quality: 2/5. Docs hosted on forum criticized; slow manual reviews
  • Security posture: 2/5. Past CVEs; hijacked apps delivered crypto malware
  • Yes Free tier Public Snap Store free to publish and install
  • 82/100 Domain trust score Gridinsoft scan of api.snapcraft.io
  • 2+ CVEs in tooling CVE-2020-27348 plus 2024 core22 report
  • Canonical Maker Backed by Ubuntu's parent company

Pricing

Public Snap Store

Free

  • Publish and install snaps free
  • Automatic updates included

Private store / IoT services

Paid via Ubuntu

  • Private store for commercial IoT
  • Snap creation and device services from Canonical

Security

Multiple past CVEs in packaging tooling; researchers have found malware distributed via the store itself.

  • CVE-2020-27348 in snapcraftVulnerability in snapcraft tracked by NVD; details in the CVE record.⁵
  • Snapcraft 4.4.4 library injectionLibrary injection vulnerability affecting built snaps; fixed in 4.4.4 release.
  • Malware via hijacked store appsLinux users targeted by crypto thieves through hijacked apps on Snap Store, January 2026.⁴

What users say

Opinion is sharply polarized: some Linux users love snaps while many complain about slowness, Canonical control, and forced updates.

“Unpopular opinion: I love snaps”
Reddit, r/linux
“Are ubuntu snaps as terrible as everyone says?”
Reddit, r/linux4noobs
“I don't think Snapcraft is a good system”
Snapcraft forum

Alternatives

Compare Snapcraft with each alternative.

  • Flatpak / Flathub

    Community-run Linux app store with less Canonical control.

  • APT / .deb packages

    Native Ubuntu packages; users report faster performance than snaps.

  • AppImage

    Portable single-file apps; no store or daemon needed.

Companies that use it

  • KDE
  • Slack
  • AWS (IoT Greengrass)
Full analysis

Based on ~50 public sources; most snippets truncated, so numeric detail is limited.

Free Linux app store, solid for Ubuntu and IoT fleets; think twice if you dread lock-in, slow apps, or Canonical control.

Methodology

Based on ~50 public sources; most snippets truncated, so numeric detail is limited.

Sources

  1. official
  2. review
  3. review
  4. security
  5. security
  6. official
  7. security
  8. review

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