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Linux continues to be above 4% on the desktop

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According to the StatCounter, Linux on the desktop has continued to rise and remains above 4%, with this being the healthiest it's ever looked on the desktop. 

First hitting over 4% in February, their March data is now in showing not just staying above 4% but rising a little once again showing the trend is clear that Linux use is rising. Slow and steady wins the race as they say.

Here's how things have looked over the last year+

  • January 23 - 2.91%
  • February 23 - 2.94%
  • March 23 - 2.85%
  • April 23 - 2.83%
  • May 23 - 2.7%
  • June 23 - 3.07%
  • July 23 - 3.12%
  • August 23 - 3.18%
  • September 23 - 3.02%
  • October 23 - 2.92%
  • November 23 - 3.22%
  • December 23 - 3.82%
  • January 24 - 3.77%
  • February 24 - 4.03%
  • March 24 - 4.05%

Technically, ChromeOS is also Linux, and while people like to debate that if you do include Linux and ChromeOS together it would actually be 6.32%. A number that is getting steadily harder for developers of all kinds to ignore. It terms of overall percentage, it's still relatively small but when you think about how many people that actually is, it's a lot.

Another look since 2009:

For those thinking it may be due to Steam Deck with SteamOS, it's unlikely, at least not directly. StatCounter gather their info from web traffic across over 1.5 million sites globally. I doubt all that many browse the web regularly on Deck. However, indirectly? Possible, I've seen lots and lots of posts about people enjoying Linux thanks to the Desktop Mode on the Steam Deck. There's going to be various other bigger factors at play here though, like Linux nowadays actually being properly good on the desktop.

See the stats on StatCounter.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial, Misc
34 Likes
About the author -
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly.
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33 comments
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Lachu Apr 10
I remember many times Windows user told, if Linux had 9% marketshare (such like MacOS these days), there will be reason to public Photoshop on it. 6% is small distance, but 4% is not too small also. Maybe in ten years, maybe less.
soulsource Apr 10
Quoting: Purple Library GuyFor people without big budgets, you can actually be limited in what you can use your computer for just because you don't want to buy (or bloody rent!) the software and you don't know there's another way.
Don't forget about piracy. Most Windows users I know don't care about legality and just pirate whatever they can for their home PCs. Not sure how much this experience can be generalized though.
Quoting: soulsource
Quoting: Purple Library GuyFor people without big budgets, you can actually be limited in what you can use your computer for just because you don't want to buy (or bloody rent!) the software and you don't know there's another way.
Don't forget about piracy. Most Windows users I know don't care about legality and just pirate whatever they can for their home PCs. Not sure how much this experience can be generalized though.
You have a point.

Well anyway, 4% is nice.
Solarwing Apr 10
TUX, our Son you have done well. But we need more.Only 95,95% to full Linux world domination! So fly higher than the Sun. Raise Excalibur, the Holy Sword to defeat that windows 11 monster!!! And MacOS too! Great to see this kind of development! The future is bright!


Last edited by Solarwing on 10 April 2024 at 6:45 pm UTC
Quoting: SolarwingRaise Excalibur, the Holy Sword
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!
Anza Apr 10
Quoting: BlackBloodRumI might have to find a less mainstream OS, this is becoming uncomfortable.

There's plenty of obscure ones to try out, HaikuOS has even some recent activity. Didn't check what software actually runs on it.

BSD:s might be boring as there's plenty of software already patched to run on it. Might be too similar to Linux though, so it's better to stick with the obscure ones.
pilk Apr 15
Seeing it not only remain at 4% but even climb a little is really nice. Hoping to see it go up even further.
Maybe we'll see 5% before Microsoft drops Windows 10, and then see it surge up after they drop it.
Pengling Apr 15
Quoting: Purple Library GuyStrange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!
I mean, if I went around saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away!
whizse Apr 15
View PC info
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Quoting: Penglingbint
Oh! New word learned!
Pengling Apr 15
Quoting: whizseOh! New word learned!
See also, "twunt", which Spider also picked up from me and seemed most amused by.
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