The best packaging formats, according to hackers
3 packaging formats were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 1 earns the Hacker Approved badge.
Top pick
The most recommended packaging format with the badge. Each figure is 5 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Runs on most distros unchanged
People recommend AppImage as a no-install single-file Linux app format that runs on many distros, though critics note it lacks Flatpak's permission system.
All 3 packaging formats, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same packaging format in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to packaging formats that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.