AppManager is a GTK/Libadwaita developed desktop utility in Vala that makes installing and uninstalling AppImages on Linux desktop painless.
It supports both SquashFS and DwarFS AppImage formats, features a seamless background auto-update process, and leverages zsync delta updates for efficient bandwidth usage. Double-click any .AppImage to open a macOS-style drag-and-drop window, just drag to install and AppManager will move the app, wire up desktop entries, and copy icons.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop installer: Mimics the familiar macOS Applications install flow.
- Smart install modes: Can choose between portable (move the AppImage) and extracted (unpack to ~/Applications/.installed/AppRun) while letting you override it.
- Desktop integration: Extracts the bundled .desktop file via 7z or dwarfs, rewrites Exec and Icon, and stores it in ~/.local/share/applications.
- Simple uninstall: Right click in app drawer and choose Move to Trash, can uninstall in AppManager or simply delete from ~/Applications folder.
- Install registry + preferences: Main window lists installed apps, default mode, and cleanup behaviors, all stored with GSettings.
- Background app updates: Optional automatic update checks with configurable interval (daily, weekly, monthly) and notifications when updates are found.
Website: github.com/kem-a/AppManager
Support:
Developer: Arnis K
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
AppManager is written in Vala. Learn Vala with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| AppImage Package Managers Tools | |
|---|---|
| Go AppImage | Go implementation of AppImage tools |
| AppManager | GTK/Libadwaita developed desktop utility in Vala |
| zap | Supports desktop integration, delta updates and command line syntax |
| AppMan | Manage 1900+ AppImage packages and official standalone apps |
| Soar | Modern, distro-independent package manager |
| bauh | Supports Snaps, Flatpaks, AppImages, deb packages, web applications |
| AppImagePool | Simple, modern AppImageHub client |
| Teabag | TUI app built with Bubble Tea |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.