Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
Linux market share has always been in a "Why is this not rising?" situation for decades. Those of us who know how powerful, reliable, and secure the open source OS is, have never been able to understand why it has always hovered near 1%.
But recently, Linuxiac noticed a change and that, by the end of February 2024, the Linux market share had achieved a 4.03% share. That change was discovered via Statcounter.
To give a bit of context, at that same time the rest of the market looked like this:
- Windows 72.13%
- macOS 15.46%
- Unknown 6.11%
- Linux 4.03%
- Chrome OS 2.26%
- FreeBSD 0.01%.
There are several reasons why Linux is on the rise. According to Steven Vaughan-Nicols, those reasons include Microsoft no longer being that interested in Windows, Steam gaming, user realization that Linux is actually easy, software is easier to find and install, and the Linux desktop is on the rise in India.
I agree with Vaughan-Nicols' take on why this is happening, and I also would add that users have become disenchanted with Windows and the rising cost of Apple hardware.
Windows and macOS have seen significant drops in market share since January 2023 (Windows is down from a high of 76.33%, and macOS is down from a high of 21.32%). If those two platforms continue to tumble, Linux could possibly hit double-digits in the coming years.
We can always hope.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome OS Transitioning Toward a General-Purpose Distro
If you're looking for the perfectly vanilla take on the Gnome desktop, Gnome OS might be for you.
-
Fedora 41 Released with New Features
If you're a Fedora fan or just looking for a Linux distribution to help you migrate from Windows, Fedora 41 might be just the ticket.
-
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 Gives Power Users a Sneak Preview
If you're looking to kick the tires of AlmaLinux's upstream version, the developers have a purrfect solution.
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.