Linux market share just crossed 5%, hitting a new milestone

According to the latest numbers from Statcounter, Linux-based desktop operating systems have reached a new milestone, sitting at a market share of 5.03 percent in the US. It’s a monumental moment as it’s the first time Linux has ever crossed the 5 percent threshold.

Meanwhile, Windows remains the undisputed leader with 63.2 percent of the market, followed by macOS and OS X with a combined market share of 24.29 percent (7.72 and 16.5 percent, respectively). After Linux comes ChromeOS at 2.71 percent, while the remaining 4.76 percent of desktop operating systems that have not been identified.

According to Techspot, the rise of Linux is partly explained by the looming end of life for Windows 10 and the fact that many Windows 10 PCs aren’t eligible for Windows 11. For them, switching to one of the many Linux-based alternatives is an enticing option.

However, part of that number could also be attributed to the rise of Valve’s Steam Deck gaming handheld, which runs on the Linux-based SteamOS operating system. As the handheld market expands with more options running SteamOS, we’re likely to see Linux’s market share grow even further—and possibly ushering in a new console war.