Blufin always updates in layers. By default Blufin tries to update ones per day for system packages, but usually once per week new system updates arrives. Blufin tries to update flatpak twice per day and installs them silently in the background. You can check if auto-update is turned on with command: ujust toggle-updates
This is not a fault of flatpaks or even less Blufin, this is a fault of packaging software in the wrong way or software does not uses portals.
In mobile app word Apple and Google prescribed rules how software must be packaged and application MUST package software according to the rueles or software will just not work or publishing will get rejected it in the first place.
But… in Linux word the first alfa master way of installing software is using system packages (dnf, apt,…) and most of software is tested via this system packages, but a lot of software is just not tested well using flatpaks. Flatpaks gives some sandboxing feature and may restrict the way software is used (remember the same way as on mobile application) and in a lot of way application developers just say this is flatpack issue, but it is in majority of cases the application problem. Now… multiplatform software that packages software for Windows, macOS and Linux… Linux has way the smallest market share and inside this small market share is even much smaller flatpak market share. A lot of packagers do not bother fixing flatpak related application problems… because of an argument, user can always install software from package manager.
I don’t use Brave web browser, but in my humble opinion most probably browser just automatically saves file to some location. Location can probably be retrieved from browser settings (I just did humble assumption how Firefox web browser does using flatpak system). You should most probably ask on Brave forum to get answers to specific questions.
It is difficult to suggest anything, because of too general language. But as I have written above, not a flatpak issue, blame the package manager of not well written application. It also can be, that you don’t understand some specifics about this software and it actually works just fine. I don’t know, general statement, general response.
On what Blufin channel are you in? Please post output of sudo bootc status.
I have been using flatpaks for many years, and the problems have always been strictly to how badly software is packaged or not tested or not using proper components that works fine in flatpak (e.g. portals). Don’t blame the road, if you car is a mess.
Now we see where is the issue: “…hot temper cost my user $600”. Don’t give sharp objects to children.
I hope you compare the same programs, same version of programs and same packaging etc. Flatpak programs may start little bit slower… but should not be a major issue. I run Blufin in virtual machine and application startup is not instant, but not terrible slow. Some of this may be blame for bloated software that loads plenty of libraries at startup instead of loading them in background.
Another general statement. What apps you see issues with?
Now we are getting somewhere…
Another general statement… Do you have some measurements of specific applications and actions you measured? I have been using several Linux distributions and I don’t see some flatpaks running slower on one distro vs. another.
Try and measure… is proper way of finding out the truth.
That was my assumption above.
This can also be true. More badly packaged software you use, more likely you get into frustration.
I think you have too big expectations. Universal Blue if repackaging platform and not fixing issues in flatpaks. Issues in flatpak must be fixed at flatpak level. Will there be soon fixed, probably not - we are waiting for Year of Linux for 20+ years, until Linux get bigger market share I am not super optimistic. But that is how the world of Linux is. Something does not work, do some testing, go upstream, report bug or even better provide a software fix. I know a lot of users are not used to this and even don’t want to go this route, but don’t expect major improvements without major involvement.
Obviously you are disappointed using flatpaks… but you don’t have to, if you don’t want them.
There are several other option you can install software in Blufin like using “distrobox” containers (the proper way). I suggest to read my post on how to install any application using GUI tool BoxBuddy.
You can also install software in Blufin using layering: rpm-ostree install <package>
This is not really recommended way. Why? Because you actually lose separation between operating system environment and end-user applications. Mixing both together and you get any other classical (mutable) Linux distro.
By the way, if you were so pleased with PopOS, maybe that Linux distro is more appropriate for you type of usage. Think of it, try to reduce frustration in your live by using things that reduces frustration.