Can Debian Use Ubuntu's Main and Multiverse Packages?

August 14, 2025 3 answers
Asked by CuriousCat22
Hey everyone! I'm currently using Fedora, which is working fine, but I've noticed that many apps I want to use are available in .deb or tar-gz formats, and I'm not very familiar with those formats. So, I'm thinking about switching back to a Debian-based distro. My main question is, does Debian have access to all the packages found in Ubuntu's main and multiverse repositories?

Answers

InstallWizard77
If you're worried about the whole package format thing, just take the time to learn how to install those packagesโ€”it isn't that hard! But I get why you might prefer using APT and Synaptic; theyโ€™re super user-friendly.

CuriousCat22: Totally! APT and Synaptic just feel easier, and I'm more comfortable using them.

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TechyTom99
Using Ubuntu packages on Debian can lead to system issues. Just because a package is a .deb doesn't mean it will work on all Debian derivatives. Each package is generally tailored to the specific distro itโ€™s made for, so straying from that can cause problems. Check out the Debian wiki for more tips on not breaking your system.
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AppExplorer88
What specific apps are you looking to install? That might help in figuring out better options for you!
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