Am I installing software wrong?

I've just switched to Linux for the first time over the past weekend. I loved the transition but I've been really confused about the "right" way to install software. I know there are a myriad of online resources and videos covering the topic but I haven't found them particularly reassuring to tell me if I'm going about installation correctly.

When I want to install software I:

1. Search the POP Shop (My distro's default app store) which contains .deb and flatpacks. I've researched the difference between .deb and flatpacks a little to have found flatpacks as preferable but I'm not really sure why?
2. If it's not there I go search online which normally leads to me finding the developer's posted terminal commands, adding their repository and then installing the app

Coming from mac os where I could install almost any program from the mac app store or through homebrew with a simple "brew cask install app-name" without having to search up the program on the internet or copy a slew of commands I feel like I'm missing a step with installing software.

To clarify, I'm not against using the terminal, I just didn't expect to have to use it so frequently for many popular applications like brave and virtualbox, and then there are programs like Authy (2FAuth) that I could only figure out how to install through snaps which everyone seems against.

Overall I've just felt kind of confused about the whole process, switching to manjaro to use the AUR seemed like the only saving grace, any help with the process or clarification for any of my questions would be greatly appreciated.