Synaptic Alternatives

Synaptic is described as 'graphical package management program for apt. It provides the same features as the apt-get command line utility with a GUI front-end based on Gtk+' and is a very popular Package Manager in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Synaptic for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Online / Web-based, Windows, Mac and Arch Linux. The best alternative is Homebrew, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Synaptic are pacman (package manager), GNOME Software, aptitude and Advanced Package Tool.

Synaptic alternatives are mainly Package Managers but may also be Software Installers or App Stores. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Synaptic.

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Synaptic

164

Free • Open Source
Package Manager

Linux
Debian
Xfce

Synaptic is a graphical package management program for apt. It provides the same features as the apt-get command line...

Learn more about Synaptic

Homebrew
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Package Manager
Software Installer
Mac
Linux
44 alternatives to Homebrew
Homebrew is the easiest and most flexible way to install the UNIX tools Apple didn’t include with macOS. Also available for Linux.
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Homebrew Features
1. Command line interfaceHomebrew either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
2. Ad-freeHomebrew doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Package Installing
Ruby
pacman (package manager)
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Package Manager
Linux
Arch Linux
29 alternatives to pacman (package manager)
The pacman package manager is one of the major distinguishing features of Arch Linux . It combines a simple binary package format with an easy-to-use build system. The goal of pacman is to make it possible to easily manage packages, whether...
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pacman (package manager) Features
Software Management
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pacman (package manager) vs Synaptic opinions
This alternative is disputed. pacman (package manager) is still a legitimate alternative to Synaptic, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
pacman is for arch based distributions... synaptic is for debian based distributions. They are not compatible with each other.
Negative comment•
5
GNOME Software
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Package Manager
App Store
Linux
Linux Mobile
Advanced Package Tool
GNOME
56 alternatives to GNOME Software
Software lets you install and update applications and system extensions.
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GNOME Software Features
1. Ad-freeGNOME Software doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in GNOME Software without registration.
3. No TrackingGNOME Software will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Command line interfaceGNOME Software either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
5. LightweightGNOME Software consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Privacy focusedGNOME Software is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Software Management
Access the AppStore
aptitude
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Package Manager
Software Installer
Linux
28 alternatives to aptitude
aptitude is a terminal-based frontend for Advanced Package Tool with a number of useful features, including: a mutt-like syntax for matching packages in a flexible manner, dselect-like persistence of user actions, the ability to retrieve and...
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aptitude Features
1. Lightweightaptitude consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeaptitude doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Command line interfaceaptitude either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Software Management
Graphical User Interface
aptitude vs Synaptic opinions
Almost everyone thinks aptitude is a great alternative to Synaptic.
Guest
It provides advanced functionality with easy access on the terminal.
Positive comment•
3
Advanced Package Tool
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Package Manager
Linux
32 alternatives to Advanced Package Tool
Apt (for Advanced Package Tool) is a set of core tools inside Debian. The user interface application for Apt is aptitude.
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Advanced Package Tool Features
1. Ad-freeAdvanced Package Tool doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Command line interfaceAdvanced Package Tool either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
3. LightweightAdvanced Package Tool consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Privacy focusedAdvanced Package Tool is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Advanced Package Tool vs Synaptic opinions
Just Install
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Software Installer
Package Manager
Windows
41 alternatives to Just Install
just-install - The stupid package installer for Windows.

Chocolatey , Ninite , Npackd are way too slow, bloated and difficult to extend. I needed a no-frills solution to inst.
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Just Install Features
Auto Update
Software Management
Discontinued
From the GitHub repo: "This project is no longer being actively developed. We suggest you to switch to Microsoft's winget."
Nix Package Manager
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Package Manager
Mac
Linux
BSD
31 alternatives to Nix Package Manager
Nix is a powerful package manager for macOS, Linux and other Unix systems that makes package management reliable and reproducible. It provides atomic upgrades and rollbacks, side-by-side installation of multiple versions of a package, multi-user package management and easy setup...
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Nix Package Manager Features
1. Command line interfaceNix Package Manager either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
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Pamac
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Package Manager
Linux
Arch Linux
Manjaro Linux
5 alternatives to Pamac
Graphical Package Manager for Manjaro Linux (based on libalpm).
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Pamac Features
Persistent History
Souk
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Package Manager
App Store
Software Installer
Linux
56 alternatives to Souk
A flatpak-based app store, written with GTK4 and Rust.
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Souk Features
1. Ad-freeSouk doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Flatpak
Software Updater (Canonical)
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Software Updater
Linux
35 alternatives to Software Updater (Canonical)
One of the great things about using open source software is the frequency with which bugs are fixed, security holes are patched, and new features are added. Ubuntu includes a very convenient update manager, which checks the software repositories for updates, and alerts you to...
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Software Updater (Canonical) Features
LibreOffice Integration