Linux’s market share on the desktop has reached a new milestone, reaching historical highs according to data collected by Statcounter, the leading statistics firm after the closure of NetMarketShare. This upward trend confirms the growing interest and adoption of Linux by users.
Sustained Growth in 2024
Linux surpassed the 4% market share on the desktop in February 2024, remaining at that level for another month before experiencing a slight drop, although staying clearly above 3%. In June, the market share stood at 4.05% and in July reached 4.45%, marking a historical high in Statcounter’s records.
It is important to note that while these data should be taken with caution due to possible margins of error, they provide an approximate picture of the desktop operating system market situation. Despite these possible inaccuracies, Statcounter’s data is a useful reference to understand current trends.
Market Shares in July 2024
According to Statcounter, the desktop operating system market share in July 2024 is as follows:
– Windows: 72.08%
– macOS: 14.92%
– Unknown: 7.14%
– Linux: 4.45%
– ChromeOS: 1.41%
– FreeBSD: 0.01%
The “Unknown” segment represents a mystery, but it is believed to include unidentified systems operating behind a VPN. Some suggest that some of these systems could be Linux not identified correctly, although the VPN theory seems to have more strength.
Linux Market Share by Continents
Linux’s market share varies considerably by continent:
– Asia: 6.16%
– Africa: 2.77%
– Europe: 3.42%
– North America: 3.52%
– Oceania: 1.82%
– South America: 3.02%
In terms of specific countries, some notable data points are:
– Spain: 3.47%
– United States: 3.74%
– Brazil: 3.13%
– Mexico: 2.54%
– Argentina: 3.37%
– Colombia: 3.15%
– Chile: 1.3%
– Ecuador: 3.12%
– Venezuela: 6.77%
– Bolivia: 2.61%
– Peru: 2.04%
Contributing Factors to Linux Growth
The increase in Linux adoption can be attributed to several factors. Discontent with the latest versions of Windows, especially Windows 10 and 11, has led many users to seek alternatives. Additionally, the popularity of the Steam Deck, which operates on a Linux version, has helped more people overcome their fear of this operating system.
On the other hand, Mac computers with Intel processors are losing support, which could be pushing some users to switch to Linux. Also, continuous improvement in graphic drivers and the greater system stability have made Linux a more attractive option.
Future Outlook
Despite Linux’s global market share on the desktop being small compared to Windows and macOS, the upward trend is clear. If this trend continues, it is likely that more companies and application developers will start taking Linux seriously, which could include the development of compatible versions of heavyweight software like Adobe, AutoCAD, and streaming services like SkyShowtime.
The future of Linux on the desktop looks promising, and with each increase in market share, the ecosystem strengthens, benefiting all users looking for a robust and flexible alternative to dominant operating systems.