Linux Reaches New High in Desktop OS Market Share
Linux has reached a major milestone in the desktop operating system market, achieving its highest recorded adoption among US desktop users. According to StatCounter’s latest statistics, Linux now holds a 5.38% share of the desktop OS market—its best result to date. While Linux remains far behind giants like Windows and macOS, this growth is notable after decades as an underdog.
Here’s how the major desktop OS market shares currently stand:
- Windows: 63.2% (down 5.1% since December 2024)
- Apple (combined): 24% (OS X: 16.57%, macOS: 7.72%)
- Linux: 5.38% (record high)
The rise of Linux comes alongside a decline in Windows popularity, which has dropped just over 5% since late 2024. This shift has been attributed to several factors:
- Many users report dissatisfaction with newer versions of Windows, with Windows 11 suffering slow adoption due to stricter hardware requirements (such as the Trusted Platform Module for security).
- Windows 11’s Copilot+ features have faced regulatory and privacy-related controversies, drawing attention from UK authorities.
- Windows 11 only recently overtook Windows 10 in usage share.
Linux’s momentum is also the result of positive factors: Government adoption, such as Denmark’s recent move to Linux for parts of its government IT, driven by cost savings and a desire for “digital sovereignty”. Integration in prominent hardware, like the Steam Deck handheld gaming device, which uses a Linux-based system.
Despite this progress, Windows and macOS still dominate the market, but Linux’s surge underscores shifting attitudes among both tech professionals and average users, suggesting a new chapter in the desktop OS competition.