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Valve have released the latest Steam Hardware & Software Survey for November 2024. Here's the details from it. The good news, for Linux users, is that Linux remains above 2% again overall.

Interestingly though, for last month Valve actually adjusted the numbers at some point in the month for the languages used on Steam and the Linux distribution list, so the previous article and our dedicated Steam Tracker page were corrected with the newer numbers. But the overall platform percentage remained the same.

Here's the overall platform stats for November 2024:

  • Windows 96.56% -0.05%
  • Linux 2.03% +0.03%
  • macOS 1.41%+0.02%

Seems like things just going back to normal, with the Simplified Chinese language option continuing to drop for three months in a row which always causes a change in the Linux numbers.


To get an interactive chart visit the Steam Tracker page.

For just Linux here's the most popular distributions:

  • SteamOS Holo (Steam Deck) 64 bit 36.63% -0.28%
  • Arch Linux 64 bit 9.16% +0.30%
  • Freedesktop SDK 24.08 (Flatpak runtime) 64 bit 4.99% +4.99%
  • Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS 64 bit 4.79% -0.01%
  • Linux Mint 22 64 bit 4.49% +0.25%
  • Ubuntu Core 22 64 bit 3.76% -0.02%
  • Manjaro Linux 64 bit 2.99% -0.04%
  • Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) 64 bit 2.52% +2.52%
  • Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS 64 bit 2.49% -0.24%
  • Other 28.18% +1.38%

See more on the Steam survey.

I've noted a couple dates in my calendar to go back and check for any adjustments again later this month.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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21 comments
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kokoko3k Dec 2
The title led me to expect a rise in SteamOS Holo usage.
However, the data shows a -0.28% decrease.
Is this a mistake or am I interpreting it incorrectly?
Liam Dawe Dec 2
Quoting: kokoko3kThe title led me to expect a rise in SteamOS Holo usage.
However, the data shows a -0.28% decrease.
Is this a mistake or am I interpreting it incorrectly?
It is correct. The point of the title is that the Steam Deck is what's still pushing the Linux number up.
kokoko3k Dec 2
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: kokoko3kThe title led me to expect a rise in SteamOS Holo usage.
However, the data shows a -0.28% decrease.
Is this a mistake or am I interpreting it incorrectly?
It is correct. The point of the title is that the Steam Deck is what's still pushing the Linux number up.

While "SteamOS Holo 64bit" is the first OS on the Steam chart, we should not forget that the other 63%+ of the Linux Steam usage polled by comes from other distros.

Writing this because I think they deserve a mention too ;)
Liam Dawe Dec 2
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: kokoko3kThe title led me to expect a rise in SteamOS Holo usage.
However, the data shows a -0.28% decrease.
Is this a mistake or am I interpreting it incorrectly?
It is correct. The point of the title is that the Steam Deck is what's still pushing the Linux number up.

While "SteamOS Holo 64bit" is the first OS on the Steam chart, we should not forget that the other 63%+ of the Linux Steam usage polled by comes from other distros.

Writing this because I think they deserve a mention too ;)
They are mentioned clearly in the article in the list. Don’t really get what you’re trying to say here. A title only tells so much, and focused on what is actually pushing the number.
Freedesktop-sdk-24.08.7 is not a OS !?
CatKiller Dec 2
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Quoting: phil995511Freedesktop-sdk-24.08.7 is not a OS !?
Steam flatpak. Same as Ubuntu Core is Steam snap.
Pyrate Dec 2
How's the flatpak these days? Would prefer to switch to the flatpak as I'm liking the concept of keeping the OS as "clean" as possible.
Highball Dec 2
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: kokoko3kThe title led me to expect a rise in SteamOS Holo usage.
However, the data shows a -0.28% decrease.
Is this a mistake or am I interpreting it incorrectly?
It is correct. The point of the title is that the Steam Deck is what's still pushing the Linux number up.

While "SteamOS Holo 64bit" is the first OS on the Steam chart, we should not forget that the other 63%+ of the Linux Steam usage polled by comes from other distros.

Writing this because I think they deserve a mention too ;)
They are mentioned clearly in the article in the list. Don’t really get what you’re trying to say here. A title only tells so much, and focused on what is actually pushing the number.

I think he means, Steam Deck added a huge chunk. But pure desktop is growing as well. There was a point that Steam Deck was almost 50% of the Linux percentage. Steam Deck hasn't stopped selling well. I figure, with the continued growth and success of the Steam Deck, it's percentage declining means that more and more people are installing Linux to their gaming machines. I definitely haven't seen any trends of people switching from SteamOS on their Steam Deck.
Spyker Dec 2
Quoting: PyrateHow's the flatpak these days? Would prefer to switch to the flatpak as I'm liking the concept of keeping the OS as "clean" as possible.
It's still bad and not officially supported by Valve... Valve recommends to use the distro package when available or their official one:
https://repo.steampowered.com/steam
Liam Dawe Dec 2
Quoting: Highball
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: kokoko3kThe title led me to expect a rise in SteamOS Holo usage.
However, the data shows a -0.28% decrease.
Is this a mistake or am I interpreting it incorrectly?
It is correct. The point of the title is that the Steam Deck is what's still pushing the Linux number up.

While "SteamOS Holo 64bit" is the first OS on the Steam chart, we should not forget that the other 63%+ of the Linux Steam usage polled by comes from other distros.

Writing this because I think they deserve a mention too ;)
They are mentioned clearly in the article in the list. Don’t really get what you’re trying to say here. A title only tells so much, and focused on what is actually pushing the number.

I think he means, Steam Deck added a huge chunk. But pure desktop is growing as well. There was a point that Steam Deck was almost 50% of the Linux percentage. Steam Deck hasn't stopped selling well. I figure, with the continued growth and success of the Steam Deck, it's percentage declining means that more and more people are installing Linux to their gaming machines. I definitely haven't seen any trends of people switching from SteamOS on their Steam Deck.
Sure. I can understand that. My reply would be the same though, it's still the Steam Deck that has massively pushed the number up. So the title focused on that, and everything else is in the article list. TBH it feels like pedantic nit-picking at the title from kokoko3k. So I won't be entertaining comments on it further, I have much better things to do like upgrading the chart... :)


Last edited by Liam Dawe on 2 December 2024 at 2:24 pm UTC
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