Many popular online services do not provide native Linux applications. Fortunately, modern web browsers can turn websites into standalone desktop applications that launch from your application menu, run in their own windows, and behave much like traditional software.
This approach works well for services such as ChatGPT, Gmail, WhatsApp, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Google Calendar, Notion, Kindle Cloud Reader, YouTube Music, and hundreds of other web applications.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to install virtually any website as a desktop app on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, and other Linux distributions using Chromium, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.
Why Use Websites as Desktop Apps?
Installing a website as a desktop application offers several advantages:
- Launch websites directly from your system application menu.
- Run web services in separate dedicated windows without browser tabs cluttering your workspace.
- Pin applications to your system dock or taskbar.
- Receive native desktop notifications from supported web services.
- Reduce desktop clutter caused by managing multiple browser tabs.
- Access web applications just like traditional native software.
Modern Chromium-based browsers support Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and can install both official PWAs and ordinary websites as standalone applications.
Popular Websites You Can Install as Desktop Apps
Productivity
- Gmail
- Google Calendar
- Google Drive
- Google Docs
- Google Keep
- [suspicious link removed]
- Microsoft 365
- Notion
- Trello
- Asana
- ClickUp
- Zoho Mail
Communication
AI and Development
Entertainment
- YouTube
- Spotify Web Player
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Prime Video
- [suspicious link removed]
Popular Services in India
Popular Services in USA and Canada
- Wealthsimple
- RBC Online Banking
- TD EasyWeb
- CIBC Online Banking
- Canada Post
- Service Canada
- Uber
- DoorDash
Method 1: Install a Website as an App Using Google Chrome or Chromium
Step 1: Install Chromium or Google Chrome
For Fedora:
Bash
sudo dnf install chromium
For Ubuntu and Linux Mint:
Bash
sudo apt install chromium-browser
Alternatively, download Google Chrome from Google’s official website and install the appropriate RPM or DEB package for your distribution.
Step 2: Open the Website
Launch Chrome or Chromium and visit the website you want to install as an application. Examples include:
[https://chatgpt.com](https://chatgpt.com)[https://gmail.com](https://gmail.com)[https://web.whatsapp.com](https://web.whatsapp.com)[https://read.amazon.com](https://read.amazon.com)
Sign in to your account if required.
Step 3: Install the Website
Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select: Save and Share → Install Page as App
Some websites display a dedicated install icon directly inside the address bar. Clicking this icon also starts the installation process immediately.
Google Chrome install page as app menu screenshot
Step 4: Confirm Installation
Review the application name in the confirmation dialog, then click Install.
Step 5: Launch the App
The newly created application will immediately appear in your desktop environment’s app launcher:
- GNOME Activities
- KDE Application Launcher
- Cinnamon Menu
- XFCE Menu
You can search for the app by name and pin it directly to your dock or taskbar for quick access.
Method 2: Install a Website as an App Using Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge includes robust support for web applications and can install many websites that do not feature traditional PWA configurations.
Step 1: Open the Website
Launch Edge and browse to your desired website.
Step 2: Install the Site
Click the menu button (⋯) in the toolbar and select: Apps → Install This Site as an App
If the site supports standard PWA installation, Edge will display a dedicated installation icon directly within the address bar.
Step 3: Launch the Application
The application is registered in your desktop environment and can be launched independently without opening the main browser window.
Method 3: Using Firefox
Firefox does not currently support native desktop PWA installation workflows comparable to Chromium-based browsers. However, you can still create functional desktop shortcuts for frequently accessed websites.
Creating a Website Shortcut in Firefox
- Open Firefox.
- Navigate to your desired website.
- Resize your browser window so you can see both Firefox and your desktop background.
- Click and drag the lock icon or site security badge from the address bar directly onto your desktop.
You can also manually create .desktop launcher files in your system directories or utilize third-party web-app manager utilities for enhanced desktop integration.
Managing Installed Web Apps
Chrome and Chromium
To manage or remove installed apps, open your browser and navigate to:
Plaintext
chrome://apps
From this management page, you can:
- Launch installed web applications.
- Create desktop or menu shortcuts.
- Remove applications.
- Configure individual window startup behavior.
Microsoft Edge
To manage your installed apps in Edge, navigate to:
Plaintext
edge://apps
From this interface, you can:
- View all installed applications.
- Create shortcuts or pin applications.
- Enable automatic system startup.
- Uninstall applications.
Benefits and Limitations
Benefits
- Functions on virtually every Linux distribution.
- Requires no additional heavyweight software dependencies.
- Fast, lightweight installation and removal process.
- Improved desktop integration compared to standard browser tabs.
- Automatically synchronizes data with your existing browser profiles.
Limitations
- Requires an active internet connection for most cloud-based services.
- Some web applications offer restricted features compared to native desktop binaries.
- Firefox provides limited PWA support compared to Chromium-based alternatives.
Conclusion
Installing websites as standalone desktop applications is one of the most efficient methods to expand your Linux software library. Whether you rely on ChatGPT, Gmail, WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, Kindle Cloud Reader, or Spotify, modern browsers like Chrome, Chromium, and Microsoft Edge transform web services into native-feeling applications that integrate cleanly into your Linux desktop environment.