Yes — it comes from the source named on this page and is refreshed on a schedule.

No. This source is fully key-less.

Yes — free, no download, in your browser.

Does an old version mean it is insecure?

Not necessarily. Many distributions backport security fixes to an older release, so the version string does not show whether a given flaw is fixed.

Why do the same program names differ between distros?

Each packager follows its own naming conventions, so Repology has to match differently named packages to one project before comparing them.

A service that monitors many package repositories, collects their package versions and flags new releases and packaging problems.

Packaging Lag Screensaver

The Packaging Lag screensaver shows software packages that most Linux distributions still ship at an older version than upstream has released, gathered key-less by the pipeline. It's free, runs in your browser, and ESC exits.

How the Packaging Lag screensaver works

The saver reads the source described above and draws it on a canvas — no account, no tracking.

Software packages that most Linux distributions still ship at an older version than upstream has released, gathered key-less by the pipeline. A high count is not always neglect: long-term-support distributions freeze versions deliberately.

It refreshes on a schedule, so what you see stays current.

Colours and any options can be changed in settings; nothing is stored beyond your own browser.

How Repology judges a package out of date

Repology is a service that monitors many package repositories and other sources. It collects data on software package versions, flags new releases and highlights packaging problems. Its backend updater fetches and parses each repository's data and loads it into a PostgreSQL database, and a separate project holds the web application.

Because different systems name the same software differently, Repology has to match packages to a single project before it can compare them; a library might appear as libfoo, foo-dev or python-foo depending on the packager. Once grouped, versions can be compared across every repository that carries the project. Projects number their releases in very different ways, including by date, so comparing versions is not always straightforward.

A project shown as outdated is not necessarily neglected. Stable and long-term-support distributions often freeze versions on purpose and apply security fixes to the older release, a practice known as backporting, so the version number stays low while the code is patched. Treat the table as a map of release lag, not as a list of unsafe software.

A worked example

Settings & tips

Accent and Background recolour the display.
Every number on screen comes from the live source — nothing is simulated.
Press ESC to leave fullscreen.

Frequently asked questions

Is this real data?: Yes — it comes from the source named on this page and is refreshed on a schedule.
Is a key needed?: No. This source is fully key-less.
Is it free?: Yes — free, no download, in your browser.
Does an old version mean it is insecure?: Not necessarily. Many distributions backport security fixes to an older release, so the version string does not show whether a given flaw is fixed.
Why do the same program names differ between distros?: Each packager follows its own naming conventions, so Repology has to match differently named packages to one project before comparing them.
What is Repology?: A service that monitors many package repositories, collects their package versions and flags new releases and packaging problems.

← All Technology & Developer screensavers