Only you can tell via -d perf. Look for difference doing the export of the same image / xmp in both programs and compare.
It is usually recommended to use packages from the repository first. However, in this case, AppImage runs faster. Are there any advantages to using the Ubuntu repository over AppImage? I should add that I don’t install Snap packages.
Again, only you can tell. Without data, it is all a wild guess as to why one is faster.
Sure. I’m not looking for technical answers, because I’ve no idea how these programmes work. I just asked a simple question, because I thought there might be a simple answer to it. 
Of course. But “simple question” doesn’t mean “simple answer”. Especially with no information where the difference could be. Thus the (ignored) request to try darktable -d perf.
Just repeating the question while not giving extra information gets you the same answer and is annoying for the ones answering…
I have a question for the Linux experts.
If I want to replace the AppImage with a new version of DT, will the programme settings be preserved?
Yes, they by default live in your users home folder under .config/darktable.
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I backup that folders contents with this handy script from time to time:
#!//bash
# set date
datum=$(date +%Y-%m-%d)
# zipfile name
zip_name="${datum}_darktable_config.zip"
# zip everything but not "db-snp"
zip -r "$zip_name" . -x "*db-snp*
(must be executed inside of darktables config folder).
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Hello, I’ve switched from Windows to Linux. I’m currently using Kubuntu. For a while, I had MX Linux KDE, but many features didn’t work properly or at all. In the latest version of Kubuntu 26.04 LTS, everything works right away and without any issues 
Since I’m new to this, there are many concepts I don’t understand yet.
That’s why I’d like to ask about installing programs (in this case, DT)
What type of program should I choose? Snap vs. Ubuntu vs. Flatpak vs. AppImage
Which installation type will have the fewest errors and be the fastest? In Windows, there are no such dilemmas, and the fewer options I have, the less I have to worry about
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Welcome! I think the most hassle free variant for you would be to install it via apt.
Open terminal and enter:
sudo apt install darktable
(or use discover to search for it)
That should get you started :-).
Alternatively I’d recommend the Appimage but that’s a little bit more hassle.
I’ve always used AppImage and haven’t had any problems with it. By the way, I use Darktable every day for work.
I also use Kubuntu, and my knowledge of Linux is pretty basic.
In my case, Darktable runs faster when using AppImage than when using Snap or the version from the Ubuntu repositories. I notice this mainly when masking.
I recommend installing Gear Lever and using it to open Darktable in ippimage format. It’s very easy to use and extremely handy.
As for the formats mentioned, after watching tons of videos and reading practically every forum thread, I’ve come to the conclusion that for the average computer user, the format doesn’t really matter. However, if you’re using Kubuntu (Ubuntu), you should first install the native programs from the Ubuntu repositories, and only then the Snap version. If you want, you can install Flatpak, but the program size will be significantly larger than with Snap. The principle of operation is similar, though. The Snap format faces a lot of criticism because it’s backed by Canonical, but that doesn’t matter to me at all, since all I care about is that the system works, and Ubuntu is currently probably the best option for beginner computer users who don’t want to deal with the technical aspects of the system.
Of course, take this post with a grain of salt, because as I mentioned earlier, I’m just an ordinary computer user, but these are the conclusions I’ve reached 
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Great. Thanks for recommending Gear Lever. For now, I’ll stick with Darktable on Ubuntu.
As for Linux, it’s free, which is a huge advantage, and it really wouldn’t be fair to nitpick about file formats. However, I asked about the types of file formats these programs use because it can be a bit confusing for beginners.
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