appimagetool vs Debreate
appimagetool
github.comDebreate
debreate.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | appimagetool | Debreate |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Software Packaging Tools | 7.8 (#11) | 7.7 (#15) |
| Intended users | The project describes AppImage packaging as a way for application authors to distribute desktop Linux applications across common Linux distributions. | The project aims to make application packaging more accessible for Debian based Linux distributions, including packaging applications, artwork, media, and themes. |
| License | The repository’s original source code is licensed under the MIT License, subject to exceptions for files or directories with different terms and for dependencies. | Debreate and libdbr are licensed under the MIT license. |
| Purpose | appimagetool generates an AppImage from an existing AppDir. | Debreate is a utility for creating installable Debian (.deb) packages. |
Plans
In their own words
appimagetool
appimagetool is a free Linux command-line utility that creates an AppImage from an existing AppDir. It is intended for application authors packaging desktop Linux software for distribution across common Linux distributions. The project describes it as a low-level component and recommends community higher-level tools for most users. Command-line options cover listing AppImage files, setting or guessing update information, selecting Squashfs compression, and excluding files. GPG signing is supported with a signing key and additional arguments. When update information is embedded and zsyncmake is installed, the tool can create a zsync file. Build instructions list x86_64, i686, aarch64, and armhf targets. The current version downloads the latest AppImage runtime, or accepts a local runtime file. Update information can be guessed from GitHub Actions and GitLab CI environment variables. An AppDir is required, and ARCH must be set when binary architecture cannot be determined, such as with multiple architectures or shell scripts. Source code is under the MIT License, subject to stated exceptions and dependency terms.
Debreate
Debreate has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.