2025 could finally be the year of the Linux desktop as the OS attains 5% US desktop market share for the first time

[Redaktion]

The latest StatCounter numbers show Linux gaining 5.03% of the US desktop OS market share. This continues the trend of Linux gaining traction among desktop users and gamers, a likely side effect of cessation of Windows 10 support in October and Valve's gaming push with the Steam Deck alongside Linux distros becoming increasingly more user-friendly over the years.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/2025-could-finally-be-the-year-of-the-Linux-desktop-as-the-OS-attains-5-US-desktop-market-share-for-the-first-time.1060391.0.html

[heffeque]

My next PC will be a Framework Desktop (batch 2, so hopefully it'll arrive soon), and... I'll for sure install Bazzite. I might install W11 on it too just in case I find myself needing something that's not on Linux (haven't used it for ages), but my plan is to mostly use Bazzite (as it also has desktop mode), and to avoid Win11 like the plague.

Without getting into telemetry, embedded spyware, and forced unwanted/uninstallable crapware, my experience with W11, both on upgrade and fresh install, has been pretty underwhelming to say the least. I'm amazed at how sluggish the GUI is compared to W10, both on old hardware and powerful new hardware with the latest drivers. How did Microsoft f*** it up so badly and not manage to get it fixed after almost 4 years now? The GUI is sluggish on pre-24H2, it's sluggish on 24H2, and I bet they won't have it fixed in 25H2.

Anyway, let's see how things turn out with Bazzite, but most people seem to be very happy with it!

[Logoffon]

Wait until someone points out that StatCounter only takes most of the info from user agents and thus it can be faked...

Oh wait, I just did, didn't I?

[Nologin]

can be faked

I mean yeah possibly but couldn't that be faked from windows, or essentially any OS too? Also, I question how many people are that paranoid and have the time to be doing all that. I say this as a super paranoid person myself. Maybe less than < 0.1% of the statcounter population?

[heffeque]

Maybe less than < 0.1% of the statcounter population?

Probably less than 0.01% so a totally irrelevant use case.

[The Werewolf]

So, according to Statcounter's June 2025 data (gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/), Windows is actually at 70.14%, OS X @ 9.87% + macOS @ 5.48%, Linux @ 4.06%, Chrome OS @ 1.24% with Unknown @ 9.17%.

Not entire sure why macOS is split into two different items, but if they are the same thing, then macOS has 15.39%.

More to the point, the "Unknown" group is more than twice as large as the Linux group.

So, yes, Linux is seeing an increase in use, which is good, but "The Year of the Linux Desktop"? Maybe next year in Linux.

[A]

Technically, it is 5.03% + 2.71%(chromeos) = 7.74%

Though year of the linux desktop is when one switches to linux desktop themselves. You aren't going to see a 20% increase in 1 year, it will just be gradual.

Wait until someone points out that StatCounter only takes most of the info from user agents and thus it can be faked...

Oh wait, I just did, didn't I?

Sure, but that actually likely means Linux has a much larger marketshare. Many linux users who care about privacy use a windows useragent to stand out less.

[heffeque]

Unknown is most likely Android + several TV sets (Tizen, WebOS, etc.)

[A]

Unknown is most likely Android + several TV sets (Tizen, WebOS, etc.)

No it isn't. This is desktop, Android is separate under Mobile and Tablet.

It may include tvs, it can also include bots or people who delete their useragent.