Of course, it's basically the same distribution model. Everything but the kernel and a very basic set of runtime libraries are shipped with the application. Except, I guess, that the basic Windows runtime libraries cover more security-relevant functionality than the same with Flatpak. I'm thinking of SSL, for example.

When I had to install my first AppImage I got a horrible déjà vu from my Windows XP days. The Linux repo experience is just better. Trust the repo via gpg and https instead of trusting every download url and scanning every blob for malware. Upgrade the whole system at once, instead of hunting down every new blob (and remembering where you got it).

Haven't used Windows in a decade, but third party apps on Windows don't even have the framework for some sort of package management, do they? At least with snap/flatpak/AUR/PPA you got an aggregated updating interface and optionally sandboxing for snaps and flatpaks.

I think, something like Appimages are the better fitting equivalent to Window's normalized madness, no?