Linux apps that run anywhere


"As a user, I want to download an application from the original author, and run it on my Linux desktop system just like I would do with a Windows or Mac application."
"As an application author, I want to provide packages for Linux desktop systems, without the need to get it 'into' a distribution and without having to build for gazillions of different distributions."

Leading Linux distributions

Download an application, make it executable, and run! No need to install. No system libraries or system preferences are altered. Can also run in a sandbox like Firejail


  • Arch Linux
  • CentOS
  • debian
  • Fedora
  • openSUSE
  • Red Hat
  • Ubuntu

Distribute your desktop Linux application in the AppImage format and win users running all common Linux distributions. Package once and run everywhere. Reach users on all major desktop distributions.


What people think

See it in action

Here is an application packaged as an AppImage for you to try. Just download the application, make it executable, and run! No need to install. Runs on most 64-bit Linux desktops.

Try Subsurface AppImage (64-bit)

Many upstream projects like Krita, Subsurface, MuseScore, KDevelop, and digiKam have started to provide AppImages directly on their download pages. More AppImages for other applications like Atom, Arduino, Blender, Chromium, Firefox, LibreOffice, and QCAD can be downloaded here (64-bit).

How to run an AppImage?


To run an AppImage, simply:

Make it executable

$ chmod a+x Subsurface*.AppImage

and run!

$ ./Subsurface*.AppImage

That was easy, wasn't it?

Watch How It Works


Easy.

The key idea of the AppImage format is one app = one file. Every AppImage contains an app and all the files the app needs to run. In other words, each AppImage has no dependencies other than what is included in the targeted base operating system(s).


Trusted.

AppImage format is ideal for upstream packaging, which means that you get the software directly from the original author(s) without any intermediaries, exactly in the way the author(s) intended. And quickly.


Fast.

AppImages can be downloaded and run without installation or the need for root rights.

Open Source.

Like Linux itself, AppImageKit is Open Source. Use it to package your free or commercial applications.

Proven.

AppImageKit and its predecessor, klik, have been in the making for over a decade.

Compatible.

Works with most reasonably recent desktop Linux distributions. Well, almost.

Get started packaging your application!

Learn about how you can use AppImageKit to create your own AppImages in the AppImageKit Wiki.

Documentation

Discourse Forum

Get your questions answered on the Discourse forum and mailing list. Let us know what application you are working on. Discuss with other AppImage users.

Live Chat

Feel free to provide some feedback, give suggestions, or to just say hello!

Join us in #AppImage on irc.libera.chat

Contact probono