Linux popularity: Linux has never been as popular as it is now

The Linux open-source operating system has reached a significant milestone.

When it comes to desktop operating systems, the majority of humanity opts for plug & play solutions like the ever-present Windows versions or macOS, which do not require deeper expertise from users to handle the most common tasks. However, alongside these, Linux has long been in the game, offering a less user-friendly but infinitely versatile option that might seem intimidating at first.

Signs indicate that the circle of users who are not afraid of the greater freedom provided by open-source operating systems is continuously expanding, as the popularity of Linux has reached historical heights.

Linux popularity

As revealed by recent data from Statcounter for the month of February, the platform with a history of over 30 years now holds a 4.03% share of the desktop systems, nearly doubling the 2011-launched ChromeOS, which stands at a mere 2.26%. In contrast, various versions of Windows dominate with a 72.13% share, while OS X (macOS) holds a 15.46% presence.

Source: StatCounter Global Stats – OS Market Share

At first glance, the 4% prevalence of Linux may not seem like much, but it is worth noting that the penguin-powered system only crossed the 3% threshold in July of last year. This indicates that the platform’s popularity has grown faster in the last 7 months than usual, as it took much longer for the operating system to cover the path between 2% and 3%. According to the chart above, the platform gained momentum last fall when its market share stood at 3.22%.

If you are inspired by the newfound momentum of Linux and decide to contribute to future records, our previous articles have outlined which version might be suitable for you and what to expect if you also want to indulge in gaming.