Fedora Linux stands out in the vast landscape of Linux distributions for its innovation and close following of upstream software developments. As a long time Fedora user, I’ve spent countless hours tinkering with various applications to enhance productivity, entertainment, and system management.
In this guide, I will share my top 20 apps for Fedora Linux, providing insights into their features and installation processes. Let’s get started!
1. Timeshift
Why It’s Here: Timeshift is a powerful backup tool that creates filesystem snapshots, allowing users to revert their system to a previous state in case of failure. It’s indispensable for system recovery and data protection.
TimeShift Enabled
Top Features:
- Incremental backups save space by only saving changes.
- Scheduled snapshots ensure regular backups.
- Easy restoration process.
Looking for details?
- Refer our article: How to install and use TimeShift on Fedora
Installation:
sudo dnf install timeshift
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove timeshift
2. VLC Media Player
Why It’s Here: VLC is a versatile media player that supports a wide array of audio and video formats. Its inclusion is due to its reliability, extensive format support, and streaming capabilities.
VLC Media Player
Top Features:
- Play virtually any media file.
- Stream media over networks.
- Video and audio filters.
Looking for details?
Refer our article:
Installation:
sudo dnf install vlc
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove vlc
3. Visual Studio Code
Why It’s Here: VS Code is a powerful, extensible code editor that supports a multitude of programming languages and tools. It’s favored for its excellent debugging capabilities, extensive extension library, and integrated Git control.
Visual Studio Code on Fedora 38
Top Features:
- IntelliSense for smart completions.
- Integrated Git support.
- Debugging directly within the editor.
Installation:
sudo rpm --import https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc
sudo sh -c 'echo -e "[code]\nname=Visual Studio Code\nbaseurl=https://packages.microsoft.com/yumrepos/vscode\nenabled=1\ngpgcheck=1\ngpgkey=https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc" > /etc/yum.repos.d/vscode.repo'
sudo dnf check-update
sudo dnf install code
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove code
4. GIMP
Why It’s Here: GIMP is a free, open-source image editor that rivals Adobe Photoshop in capabilities. It’s included for its powerful image manipulation tools, customization options, and extensive plugin ecosystem.
GIMP 2.10 on Fedora 38
Top Features:
- Advanced photo retouching techniques.
- Customizable interface.
- Support for various plugins to extend functionality.
Installation:
sudo dnf install gimp
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove gimp
5. LibreOffice
Why It’s Here: LibreOffice is a comprehensive office suite that provides robust tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. Its compatibility with Microsoft Office formats and free availability make it a must-have.
LibreOffice Suite
Top Features:
- High compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.
- Extensive feature set for document creation and editing.
- Support for extensions and templates.
Installation:
sudo dnf install libreoffice
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove libreoffice
6. Firefox
Why It’s Here: Firefox is a fast, privacy-focused web browser developed by Mozilla. It’s included for its strong stance on user privacy, customization through add-ons, and impressive speed.
Top Features:
- Enhanced Tracking Protection.
- Extensive library of add-ons.
- Sync between devices.
Installation: Fedora comes with Firefox pre-installed, but you can update it using:
sudo dnf upgrade firefox
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove firefox
7. Thunderbird
Why It’s Here: Thunderbird, also from Mozilla, is a powerful email client that’s easy to set up and customize. It’s favored for its flexibility, security features, and support for various email providers and protocols.
Thunderbird Email Client
Top Features:
- Easy account setup.
- Tabbed email.
- Extensive add-ons library.
Installation:
sudo dnf install thunderbird
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove thunderbird
8. Terminal Utilities (htop, neofetch, tmux)
Why They’re Here: Terminal utilities like htop, neofetch, and tmux enhance the command-line experience by providing system monitoring, system info display, and terminal multiplexing, respectively.
Top Features:
htop: Interactive process viewer.neofetch: Display system information with a splash of color.tmux: Save terminal sessions and switch between them.
Installation:
sudo dnf install htop neofetch tmux
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove htop neofetch tmux
9. Docker
Why It’s Here: Docker simplifies the deployment of applications inside software containers, ensuring consistency across environments. It’s indispensable for developers and system administrators.
Start and enable the docker engine
Top Features:
- Containerize applications for easy deployment and scaling.
- Share containers through Docker Hub.
- Integrate with various CI/CD tools.
Installation:
sudo dnf install dnf-plugins-core
sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.docker.com/linux/fedora/docker-ce.repo
sudo dnf install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io
10. Flatpak
Why It’s Here: Flatpak is a software utility for software deployment, application virtualization, and package management. It allows users to run sandboxed applications regardless of the base Linux distribution.
Flatpak packages
Top Features:
- Run applications in isolated environments.
- Access to a wide range of applications through Flathub.
- Easy application distribution for developers.
Installation: Fedora comes with Flatpak support out of the box, but you can ensure it’s up to date with:
sudo dnf install flatpak
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove flatpak
11. Shotwell
Why It’s Here: Shotwell is a personal photo manager that allows you to organize, view, and edit your pictures in a user-friendly interface. It’s perfect for photographers of all levels.
Shotwell on Fedora 38
Top Features:
- Import photos from disk or camera.
- Organize photos by time and tags.
- Basic photo editing features.
Installation:
sudo dnf install shotwell
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove shotwell
12. Steam
Why It’s Here: For gamers, Steam is the gateway to a vast library of games on Linux. Its inclusion is a nod to the growing gaming community on Fedora.
Top Features:
- Access to thousands of games.
- Community and social networking features.
- In-home streaming capabilities.
Installation: Enable RPM Fusion for Steam and install:
sudo dnf install steam
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove steam
13. OBS Studio
Why It’s Here: OBS Studio is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It’s essential for content creators for its flexibility and powerful features.
OBS Studio on Fedora 39
Top Features:
- High performance real-time video/audio capturing and mixing.
- Stream to multiple platforms simultaneously.
- Extensive plugin support.
Installation:
sudo dnf install obs-studio
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove obs-studio
14. Zsh & Oh My Zsh
Why It’s Here: Zsh, combined with Oh My Zsh, transforms the terminal experience by providing a powerful shell with auto-suggestions, spell correction, and a rich collection of themes and plugins.
Top Features:
- Themes to customize your terminal look.
- Plugins to enhance functionality.
- Auto-suggestions and spell correction for faster typing.
Installation:
sudo dnf install zsh
sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove zsh
rm -rf ~/.oh-my-zsh
15. GitKraken
Why It’s Here: GitKraken is a visually appealing Git client that simplifies version control, making it accessible for beginners while powerful enough for experts.
Gitkraken User Interface
Top Features:
- Intuitive interface.
- Integration with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and more.
- Merge conflict resolution and interactive rebase.
Installation: Download and install via the official website, as Fedora doesn’t directly provide it in the default repositories.
Uninstallation: Follow the uninstallation procedure from the application or remove it through your software manager.
16. Postman
Why It’s Here: Postman is an API client that makes it easy to create, share, test, and document APIs. It’s included for its comprehensive set of tools for API developers.
Top Features:
- Simplified API testing.
- Collaboration tools for team projects.
- Automated testing with Newman.
Installation: Download from the official Postman website and install it using the provided installer.
Uninstallation: Follow the Postman documentation for uninstallation procedures.
17. Spotify
Why It’s Here: Spotify is a digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs and podcasts. It’s included for its vast library and ease of use.
Top Features:
- Stream music and podcasts.
- Create and share playlists.
- Discover new music.
Installation:
sudo dnf install lpf-spotify-client
lpf update
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove lpf-spotify-client
18. Blender
Why It’s Here: Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking, even video editing, and game creation.
Top Features:
- Comprehensive 3D creation suite.
- Supports all stages of 3D development.
- Powerful rendering capabilities.
Installation:
sudo dnf install blender
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove blender
19. KeePassXC
Why It’s Here: KeePassXC is a cross-platform password manager that securely stores passwords and other sensitive information. It’s essential for maintaining online security.
Top Features:
- Securely store and manage passwords.
- Generate strong, unique passwords.
- Cross-platform with a strong encryption standard.
Installation:
sudo dnf install keepassxc
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove keepassxc
20. VirtualBox
Why It’s Here: VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. It’s included for its ability to run multiple operating systems simultaneously.
Top Features:
- Run multiple operating systems simultaneously.
- Wide range of supported operating systems.
- Snapshot feature to return to a previous state.
Installation:
sudo dnf install VirtualBox
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove VirtualBox
21. Signal Desktop
Why It’s Here: Signal Desktop brings the well-known privacy-focused messaging app to your Fedora desktop. It’s included for its end-to-end encryption, ensuring secure and private conversations.
Top Features:
- Syncs with your mobile device.
- End-to-end encryption for messages and calls.
- Supports group chats and media sharing.
Installation: Signal Desktop can be installed via Flatpak or directly from Signal’s official website. For Flatpak:
flatpak install flathub org.signal.Signal
Uninstallation:
flatpak uninstall org.signal.Signal
22. Tilix
Why It’s Here: Tilix is a tiling terminal emulator that follows the GNOME Human Interface Guidelines. It’s chosen for its advanced features like split views, which enhance productivity for power users.
Top Features:
- Split terminals horizontally or vertically.
- Drag and drop to re-arrange terminals.
- Supports multiple profiles for different workflows.
Installation:
sudo dnf install tilix
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove tilix
23. SimpleNote
Why It’s Here: SimpleNote is a minimalist note-taking app that syncs across devices. It’s perfect for users seeking a straightforward, clutter-free note-taking experience.
Top Features:
- Cross-platform with seamless sync.
- Markdown support for formatting notes.
- Tagging system for organization.
Installation: SimpleNote can be installed via Snap or directly from the SimpleNote website. If you have Snap installed:
sudo snap install simplenote
Uninstallation:
sudo snap remove simplenote
24. qBittorrent
Why It’s Here: qBittorrent is an open-source torrent client that offers a balance between functionality and resource usage. It’s included for its intuitive interface, search engine, and privacy features.
Top Features:
- Integrated search engine for torrents.
- Sequential downloading (download in order).
- IP filtering and torrent creation tool.
Installation:
sudo dnf install qbittorrent
Uninstallation:
sudo dnf remove qbittorrent
25. Stacer
Why It’s Here: Stacer is an open-source system optimizer and monitoring tool designed for Linux. It offers a user-friendly dashboard to visualize system resources, manage startup applications, clean up system cache, and more.
Stacer User Interface
Top Features:
- Dashboard for monitoring CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
- Startup manager to control applications that run at boot.
- System cleaner to free up system space.
Installation: Stacer can be installed via Snap:
sudo snap install stacer
Uninstallation:
sudo snap remove stacer
Conclusion
This list represents a blend of personal preferences and popular choices among the Fedora community. These applications range from essential productivity tools to specialized software for developers, creatives, and gamers. Fedora’s versatility is further highlighted by the breadth of software available, making it a compelling choice for Linux users of all stripes.
Do you have any personal favorites that didn’t make the list? I’d love to hear your suggestions! Drop them in the comments below.
