Ketarin vs Ubuntu Update Manager
Ketarin
ketarin.orgUbuntu Update Manager
manpages.ubuntu.comSide by side
| Figure | Ketarin | Ubuntu Update Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Software Update Tools | 7.7 (#10) | 7.8 (#9) |
| License | The source repository’s license file specifies GNU General Public License version 2 for source files that do not state otherwise, and says images in the Resources folder may not be redistributed. | The manpage states that the software may be redistributed under the GNU General Public License and provides no warranty. |
| Purpose | Ketarin automatically updates setup packages to maintain a collection that can be copied to disc or USB, rather than keeping the installed system up to date. | Update Manager is a graphical frontend for apt that performs some apt-get actions and is especially designed for system upgrades or migrations to a newer version. |
| Support | The official site links to a user forum and a tutorial for learning how Ketarin works. | Canonical offers 24/7 support for Ubuntu Desktop and Server deployments with comprehensive security coverage and management tooling. |
Plans
In their own words
Ketarin
Ketarin is a free, open-source Windows application for maintaining a collection of setup packages. It monitors webpage content, identifies changed files through download rules, and saves updated installers where you specify. The aim is to keep packages ready for copying to disc or USB, not to update software already installed. Rules can use a FileHippo-based service or your own definitions, including regular expressions. Applications can be grouped into user-defined categories, with flexible save paths. Entries support XML import and export. After downloads, Ketarin can run custom commands and PowerShell scripts. Listed features include an online database, scheduled scans, bulk updates, custom app support, silent installation, and a portable version. Written in C#, it targets .NET Framework 4.5 and uses SQLite. The homepage identifies version 1.8.11 as latest and links to a forum and tutorial. Source files use GPLv2 unless otherwise stated; resource images have reuse restrictions.
Ubuntu Update Manager
Ubuntu Update Manager is a free graphical frontend for apt that installs available updates and supports routine Ubuntu system upgrades. In the desktop menu it appears as Software Updater, and Ubuntu describes the package as a GNOME application for managing apt updates. It is intended for daily system upgrading as well as migration to a newer Ubuntu release.
The tool can check whether a new distribution release is available. Its development-release option can upgrade from the latest supported release to the development release. During an upgrade, it may reinstall ubuntu-desktop, change sources.list entries to updated ones, and add the default user to new groups when needed. Ubuntu says its bundled installation tools validate packages during installation to check for manipulation during download. Update Manager runs on Linux and integrates with apt. The manpage credits Michael Vogt and various contributors with its development; it also states that redistribution is permitted under the GNU General Public License and provides no warranty.