List of the Top 5 Package Managers for Arch Linux in 2025

Pacman serves as a package management system designed for Linux platforms, facilitating the installation and management of software. It utilizes simple compressed file formats for its packages and maintains a textual database that organizes information in a way that allows for manual modifications when necessary. Instead of trying to provide every possible feature, Pacman prioritizes essential tasks like installing, removing, and updating software packages, while also allowing users to query the package database for details on installed software, including their files and ownership information. Additionally, it aims to automatically handle dependencies and can download packages from online repositories. With the release of version 2.0, Pacman introduced the ability to synchronize packages with a central server through package databases using the -sync option, a notable upgrade from previous versions that required manual installation using --add and -upgrade commands. This advancement significantly improved the user interface and made the process of maintaining updated software much more efficient. As a result, Pacman has become an essential tool for both novice and experienced users who want to streamline their software management tasks on Linux systems.

This repository houses the code for snapd, a crucial background service that oversees the management and upkeep of installed snap packages. Snap packages are adaptable application formats intended for use in desktop, cloud, and IoT settings, with the added benefit of automatic updates. Their user-friendly nature, enhanced security features, cross-platform compatibility, and lack of need for extra dependencies contribute to their widespread use across millions of Linux systems every day. Beyond its various management functionalities, snapd includes the snap command, which allows users to easily install and uninstall snaps while engaging with the extensive snap ecosystem. It also implements confinement policies that ensure snaps remain isolated from both the base system and one another, while additionally managing the interfaces that grant snaps access to specific system resources that extend beyond their confinement limitations. For users looking to install popular applications such as Spotify or Visual Studio Code, the Snap Store serves as an excellent resource to discover new software. Moreover, if you have a passion for developing your own snaps, we strongly encourage you to begin with our detailed documentation, which will walk you through the fundamental steps necessary for effectively building and packaging your applications, allowing you to contribute to the vibrant snap community. This guidance can help streamline the process and enhance your overall experience in snap development.

Unveiling a groundbreaking decentralized software installation framework designed for seamless operation on Linux, Windows, and macOS platforms, this fully open-source solution empowers users to launch applications with a mere click, thereby negating the need for traditional installation procedures. Users can manage their experience through a command line or a graphical interface, affording them complete oversight of their computing tasks. The installation process is entirely transparent, thereby alleviating the common anxieties surrounding software deployment. It uniquely supports the coexistence of both stable and experimental applications on a single machine, promoting an adaptable software environment. Developers are given the ability to distribute software easily, enabling them to create a unified package that operates across multiple platforms. The system facilitates publishing on any static web host, contributing to a decentralized ecosystem that operates independently of any central authority. Additionally, it boasts robust dependency management and automatic updates, consistently prioritizing security. Importantly, installing an application does not grant it administrator privileges, and all new software is subjected to meticulous digital signature verification before execution. Applications are designed to share libraries while upholding a trust model, further enhancing security measures. This innovative framework also incorporates automatic self-updating features, staged rollouts, and various improvements for desktop integration, all of which significantly enrich the user experience. With such a comprehensive suite of features, it fundamentally transforms the interaction users have with software on their devices, paving the way for a more efficient and secure digital landscape.

The Fortran Package Manager (fpm) functions as both a package manager and a build tool tailored specifically for the Fortran programming language. Its extensive collection of available packages enriches a dynamic ecosystem that includes both general-purpose and high-performance code, thereby enhancing user accessibility. Designed to streamline the experience for Fortran developers, fpm simplifies various tasks such as building Fortran programs or libraries, running tests, executing examples, and managing dependencies for other Fortran projects. The user-friendly interface of fpm is inspired by Rust’s Cargo, allowing for an intuitive interaction. Furthermore, fpm is committed to a long-term vision that aims to cultivate the development of modern Fortran applications and libraries. A standout aspect of fpm is its plugin architecture, which allows users to extend its functionality. One such plugin, the fpm-search project, offers a simple way for users to query the package registry, and its compatibility ensures easy installation across different systems. This integration not only enhances the development workflow but also promotes collaboration and innovation among developers within the Fortran community, ultimately contributing to the language's ongoing evolution. Through these efforts, fpm seeks to make Fortran a more accessible and powerful choice for developers everywhere.

FPM is a highly adaptable tool that aims to simplify the creation of packages for a variety of operating systems, such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, RHEL, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, and macOS, among others. Rather than reinventing the wheel with a new packaging methodology, FPM acts as a facilitator that streamlines the package creation process for existing systems with minimal hassle. Its intuitive command-line interface allows users to generate packages effortlessly. Built using Ruby, FPM can be easily installed through the gem package manager. However, for certain formats like RPM and Snap, it is essential to have specific dependencies installed on your machine to build them successfully. Furthermore, when working with different operating systems or distributions, additional tools may be required for compatibility purposes. FPM efficiently converts your software into installable packages across various platforms, making it capable of transforming any Node.js package, Ruby gem, or Python package into formats such as deb, rpm, or pacman. In addition to enhancing the packaging process, FPM provides developers with a streamlined workflow, ultimately saving both time and resources. With its versatility and ease of use, FPM has become a valuable asset for software developers aiming to deploy their applications seamlessly across multiple environments.