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Software Manager
What Software Manager is
Software Manager, also called mintinstall, is Linux Mint’s app store for finding and installing popular free applications from Linux Mint repositories. It also supports Flatpak and can list Flatpaks from multiple Flatpak repositories. The tool is developed in Python, and its source code is available on GitHub. Its stated role is to provide access to repository software within Linux Mint, alongside Flatpak applications from the supported repositories.
Linux Mint is a desktop Linux distribution based on Debian and Ubuntu. The distribution describes itself as including about 30,000 packages and providing a software manager. Linux Mint says it is free of cost and open source; Software Manager has no separate price stated. The Linux Mint guide describes the tool for accessing and installing popular repository applications, while its identified software sources are Linux Mint and Flatpak repositories. The project repository provides instructions for building a Debian package with dpkg-buildpackage and installing it with dpkg. Linux Mint says its project began in 2006 and identifies mintinstall among tools developed during its early development period. The Linux Mint community website maintains software database information used by Software Manager and provides package reviews. Linux Mint describes its purpose as producing an operating system that is powerful and easy to use.
Who it suits
Software Manager suits Linux Mint users who want to browse and install popular applications from the distribution’s repositories or from Flatpak repositories. Its source code and Debian package build instructions may also suit people interested in building the tool from its repository.
What it does well
- Installs popular free applications from Linux Mint repositories.
- Supports Flatpak applications from multiple Flatpak repositories.
- Source code is available on GitHub.
- Repository instructions cover building and installing a Debian package.
- Uses software database information from the Linux Mint community website.
What to know first
- Its stated software sources are Linux Mint and Flatpak repositories.
- The guide does not identify support for other operating systems.
- No separate price for Software Manager is stated.
Getting started
- Use Linux Mint to access Software Manager.
- Browse applications from Linux Mint repositories or supported Flatpak repositories.
- Select an application to install it.
- To build from source, follow the repository instructions to create a Debian package with dpkg-buildpackage.
- Install the Debian package with dpkg.
Verdict
Choose Software Manager if you use Linux Mint and want access to its repository applications and Flatpaks. Its stated scope is tied to Linux Mint and Flatpak repositories, so it is suited to that software ecosystem.
Questions
Does Software Manager cost anything?
Linux Mint describes its distribution as free of cost and open source. No separate Software Manager price is stated.
Which operating systems does it support?
The guide identifies Software Manager as an application for Linux Mint. It does not state support for other operating systems.
Does it support Flatpak?
Yes. It supports Flatpak and can list Flatpaks from multiple Flatpak repositories.
Is Software Manager open source?
Linux Mint describes its distribution as free of cost and open source, and mintinstall source code is available on GitHub.
Who develops Software Manager?
The project is developed in Python and is described by its repository as Software Manager for Linux Mint.
Can I build and install it from its source repository?
The repository provides instructions to build a Debian package with dpkg-buildpackage and install it with dpkg.
Facts from Software Manager's own pages
- Audience
- The guide describes Software Manager as an application for accessing and installing popular repository software within Linux Mint. · linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Availability limit
- The guide specifically identifies Linux Mint repositories and Flatpak repositories; it does not state support for other operating systems. · linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Build and install
- The repository provides instructions to build a Debian package with dpkg-buildpackage and install it with dpkg. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Cost and licensing
- Linux Mint describes itself as free of cost and open source. · linuxmint.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Flatpak support
- It supports Flatpak and can list Flatpaks from multiple Flatpak repositories. · linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Implementation
- The project is developed in Python. · linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Linux Mint describes its purpose as producing an operating system that is powerful and easy to use. · linuxmint.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Linux Mint context
- Linux Mint describes itself as a desktop Linux distribution based on Debian and Ubuntu, providing about 30,000 packages and a software manager. · linuxmint.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Package database
- The Linux Mint community website says its software database information is used by Software Manager. · community.linuxmint.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Package reviews
- The community website provides a software database for users to review packages. · community.linuxmint.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Pricing context
- Linux Mint says the distribution is free of cost and open source, and that it is free of charge; it gives no separate Software Manager price. · linuxmint.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Project description
- The project repository describes Mintinstall as Software Manager for Linux Mint. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Project history
- Linux Mint says its project began in 2006 and identifies mintinstall among tools developed during its early development period. · linuxmint.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Software Manager (mintinstall) is an app store for free software that provides access to popular applications from Linux Mint’s repository. · linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
- Security context
- Linux Mint says its safety and reliability are supported by conservative software updates, its Update Manager, and Linux architecture; this statement concerns the distribution. · linuxmint.com, 8 Oct 2026
- Source code
- The mintinstall source code is available on GitHub. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Where Software Manager stands on Freedom251
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