5 New Linux Apps Users Should Install Right from the Start: Explained

Explore 5 new Linux apps users should install right from the start.

To help you get started on your Linux journey, here are five essential apps and tools that every new user should install on day one. These apps will help you customize the interface, improve performance, and integrate well with your daily work.

1. GNOME Tweaks and GNOME Extensions (for Ubuntu or Fedora)

If you use a GNOME-based distribution like Ubuntu or Fedora, the first thing you should do is install GNOME Tweaks and GNOME Extensions. These are two indispensable tools if you want to customize your desktop experience and extend the functionality of GNOME.

You can install it from your distro's graphics software repository or via terminal:

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks gnome-shell-extensions # Ubuntu/Debian sudo dnf install gnome-tweaks gnome-shell-extensions # Fedora

Benefits of GNOME Tweaks

• Customize desktop interface: theme, icons, fonts
• Change the position of window buttons
• Manage applications that start with the system
• Enhance user experience with small but important tweaks

Benefits of GNOME Extensions

• Install community-developed extensions
• Add features like advanced window management, improved workflow, or desktop widgets
• There are dozens of great utilities that help turn GNOME into a powerful and highly personalized desktop.

Tip: GNOME Extensions and Tweaks combined will help you turn a minimalist desktop into a productive, beautiful, and convenient working environment.

2. KDE Connect (or GSConnect)

KDE Connect is a tool that connects your smartphone to your Linux machine, allowing the two devices to communicate and control each other.

Outstanding features

• Receive and sync notifications on both your phone and PC
• Send and receive files quickly between devices
• Remote media control
• Use your phone as a trackpad or remote keyboard
• Execute terminal commands from phone

On KDE Plasma distros, this application is usually pre-installed. If you use GNOME, install GSConnect, an equivalent GNOME extension.

• Download the app on your phone from Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone)
• Connect two devices and start using right away

Note: KDE Connect works best on Android, with iPhone some features like file sending and background notifications are limited.

3. Chromium-based browser

Linux usually installs Firefox by default, which is a good browser but sometimes incompatible with some web apps like Canva, Netflix, Notion, Google Meet.

You can install Google Chrome, but I recommend trying Chromium – Chrome's open source, fully supports extensions and is compatible with most web apps.

Other Chromium-based browsers worth trying:

• Brave – security, powerful ad blocking
• Opera – built-in VPN, smart tab manager
• Vivaldi – highly customizable interface and keyboard shortcuts

All of these browsers can be installed from the distro's official software repository, easily and safely.

4. OnlyOffice

While LibreOffice is the default office suite on most Linux, OnlyOffice is a great choice if you're familiar with Microsoft Office.

OnlyOffice Advantages

• Modern interface, similar to MS Office
• Support opening DOCX, XLSX, PPTX with less formatting errors
• Includes word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation
• Support teamwork, collaborative document editing

LibreOffice can sometimes look dated and have a different layout than MS Office, making it difficult for newcomers to get used to. OnlyOffice offers a friendly, accessible experience, especially when working with complex documents.

5. Flatpak

Flatpak is not an application, but a cross-platform software repository that helps install Linux applications regardless of the distro you use.

• Many modern apps are Flatpak only, not in the default software repositories
• Some distros come with Flatpak pre-installed; if not, you can quickly install it with a few terminal commands

Flatpak installation example:

flatpak install flathub io.github.kolunmi.Bazaar # Bazaar flatpak install flathub com.github.tchx84.Flatseal # Flatseal

Bazaar: a graphical software repository interface for finding and downloading Flatpaks

Flatseal: manage access permissions per Flatpak, more secure

Flatpak makes it easy to install and access all modern Linux apps, no matter what distro you're using.

These are the essential Linux apps and tools that beginners should install on day one. Obviously, Linux has a lot of other interesting apps to explore. Start with these apps and you will have a smooth, efficient and convenient experience from day one.