I am looking to transition from Windows 11 to Linux full-time.
Despite my experience with manual Arch installs and Fedora (including RPM Fusion), I am considering Zorin OS for this move. My primary concern is the use of Snaps due to their proprietary backend.
In Zorin, can I explicitly choose between native packages and Snaps, or are Snaps forced upon the user?
Usually you have the choice to select the package format you want. There are some packages which are critical such as firefox or thunderbird. If you want to be sure that no snap packages get installed without your wish, the best is to remove snap completely from the system.
That's good to know that you do have a choice. Coming from Fedora and Arch I do prefer native packages for the space saving aspect.
Are you still maybe to use gnome extensions to add other stuff?
Is there anything else I need to know around Zorin or snaps before I make a choice..
I have two distros in mind Zorin being one of them
Yes, you can install gnome extension manager and then add gnome extensions.
Cool.thank you.
Zorin or Solus time to think
I'm just a bit nervous with Zorin I just I'm a bit petty and what people will think knowing I have used arch and fedora
Hi and welcome.
No one judges on here. I don't use Zorin OS myself any more. My daily is systemd-free PCLOS Debian, and sometimes Q4OS, both running Plasma 5.27.x.
If I were running Zorin I would remove flatpak and snap.
I would then install Synaptic Package Manager then remove gnome-software (Software). For third party .deb pkgs I would use Gdebi, installable via Synaptic.
I would also avoid Wayland protocol by swapping to 'Zorin on xorg' at login. Select your username on login screen and a cog appears bottom right of screen. Left click on it and select 'Zorin on xorg'. Once selected you won't have to change again.
Everyone is welcome here in the forum and anyone can ask questions—whether you're a complete Linux novice or a highly experienced Linux expert. No one will be ridiculed here, you can be sure of that. The moderators ensure that everyone is treated with respect.
Personally I'll just kill snaps flatpak there is a few games which are only on flatpak sadly.
I would much rather use apt or Nala fit everything
Synaptic basically uses APT.
Yeah I know. Just prefer terminal and nalas speed
Well if you know what pkgs you need that should not be an issue. 
I know most I need yeah..
More three choices on distros seeing that DMS has had an update
By DMS you mean Dank Material Shell? Each to their own ... that is what software freedom is about.
Yeah I enjoyed niri and DMS
Edit another question Zorin fine with ventoy
Yes, it is.
Welcome to the Forum!
You can choose. You can even choose to uninstall Snap. Then You don't have to care about them. Then, You have .deb/APT, Flatpak and AppImage what You can use.