The debate on the real market share of Windows, macOS and Linux It has never been completely closed. Metrics vary depending on the source, the periods analyzed, and, above all, the method of measurement. Even so, there is a practical consensus: StatCounter is today the most consulted public reference for desktops after the disappearance of one of the great historical firms, with all that this implies in biases and margins of error.
Looking at the recent picture, Linux has achieved something symbolic and long-awaited: consolidate around 4% in desktop PCs for much of 2024, with occasional peaks slightly above and lows slightly below depending on the month. The underlying trend matters more than the sawtooth pattern, and here the data show sustained growth from 2% in 2021–2022, to 3% in 2023, and around 4% in 2024. The big question remains: Will it reach 5% steadily throughout 2025?
How are desktop market shares today?
If we stick to the closing of 2024 in StatCounter for desktop computers, the global distribution was as follows: Windows 73,41%, macOS 14,14%, “Unknown” 6,41%, Linux 4,13%, and ChromeOS 1,9%. These are not absolute values nor audited by censuses, but they help paint a picture. By 2024, January marked a low of 3,77% for Linux and August a high of 4,55%, confirming this upward path, although with normal fluctuations due to seasons, launches and device changes.
A key clarification: the category "A stranger" It's not an empty drawer; it includes systems that, due to configuration, privacy, or detection, are not clearly identified. It's reasonable to assume that in that 6,41% there are portions of Linux, Windows, and macOS, but the exact proportion is impossible to solve based on public methodology, so these percentages should be taken with caution.
To put magnitude to the progress: if they were estimated about 2.500 billion desktop PCs connected in 2024, 4% would be equivalent to around 100 million Linux users. Due to method and margin of error, the actual figure could be slightly higher, but even with that calculation, the base is no longer an irrelevant minorityIn this context, the question of whether Linux will reach 5% by 2025 no longer sounds like a pipe dream, but rather a challenging but achievable goal if the tailwinds hold.
It is worth remembering the historical thread to measure current leadership: Windows debuted on November 20, 1985 and has maintained desktop dominance for nearly four decades. The landscape has changed, however, with the rise of macOS, the emergence of ChromeOS, and, above all, the rise of Linux in recent years, partly fueled by the end of Windows 10 support and the Windows 11 hardware restrictions which leave out many perfectly functional teams.
The United States and the latest movements of 2024–2025
When isolating the United States, recent StatCounter data offer a nuanced picture. By around July 2024, Linux surpassed 5% in the US (5,03%) for the first time in the monthly charts, a symbolic milestone that points to growing interest. In that same photo, Windows accounted for 63,2%, while macOS and OS X accounted for about 24% Overall, ChromeOS was around 2,71% and “Unknown” was around 4,76%.
If we move to June 2025 in global aggregates, there are readings that place Windows has given up some points since the end of 2024, while Linux gains tenths and macOS floats with slight variations by region. The macOS figure varies depending on the methodological cut and the segmentation (macOS alone versus macOS+OS X), but the 2024 compendium left it around the 14% in the global desktop total. The important thing here is the trend: Windows has given up some points since the end of 2024, while Linux gains tenths and macOS floats with slight variations by region.
Behind these movements there are combined causes: users with Older hardware not compatible with Windows 11 looking for alternatives, fatigue with certain telemetry policies, forced update cycles and a real improvement in the usability of distros such as Ubuntu or Linux Mint. Added to this is the pull of Android as a "gateway" to Google tools and ecosystem, and the knock-on effect of devices like Steam Deck, which have normalized the idea of playing with Linux.
The US case also illustrates a decade of change: Windows' dominance remains clear, but it has lost around 13 points in ten years in that market. The remaining growth is shared primarily by Apple and, to a lesser extent, Linux, with ChromeOS as an educational and niche alternative that maintains its presence but hasn't exploded.
Steam and the pulse of PC gaming
Steam's hardware and software survey offers another perspective, focusing on PC gamers. If we look at August de 2018 (time of official Proton launch) and compare it with April 2024, the changes are interesting: macOS went from 2,66% to 1,35%, Linux from 0,49% to 1,90% and Windows remained practically flat (96,77% to 96,76%). The bulk of the Linux growth on Steam seems to come from macOS, not so much Windows, an expected effect after Apple's jump to its own silicon and the gradual abandonment of native games on Mac.
There are nuances to be introduced: on Steam, Linux can be over-represented because it is the only store fully aligned with the platform (Valve, Proton, Deck), while many Windows players diversify their time between stores like Epic Games Store and Game Pass, absent in 2018 but very relevant today. This somewhat cushions the real impact of Linux's growth if we use Steam alone as a barometer.
In pure experience, Windows 11 on modern hardware still generally offers more compatibility and polishing for games (anti-cheat, drivers, HDR and day one support). Linux is progressing rapidly — HDR and sync technologies have improved — but the average user's perception is sensitive to any support offset for the newest. Still, with Proton, Valve's work, and the popularity of the Deck, the Linux gaming ecosystem is much more viable today than it was six years ago.
Can Microsoft make Windows free?
Microsoft's history helps us understand the current situation. After 39 years of hegemony, the company faces a different scenario: the percentage of Windows is slowly declining and Linux is climbing tenths. Hence the question arises cyclically of whether Microsoft should change the distribution model and offer Windows for free to defend quota and monetize for services.
Although it may seem “free” when you buy a new PC, Windows is paid forThe cost appears on the OEM's invoice and is reflected in the final price of the equipment, with average differences of around €100 when comparing similar machines with and without a license. If you purchase retail licenses, Windows 11 Home is around 145 euros. on the Microsoft website. There are ways to use it without paying—the Insider program or upgrading from Windows 10—but it's not the same as a totally free and official universal.
What has changed inside Microsoft? Windows is becoming more and more a service that enables income through other means: subscriptions (Microsoft 365), storage (OneDrive), the Microsoft Store, Azure integrations, and connected services. If the quota drops too low, give away Windows It wouldn't be an impossible move to imagine, because the business would come from those lines. In the short term, the operating system revenues, business support and the inertia of the installed fleet weigh, in addition to the controversy over errors in Windows 11 and the closing of the Windows 10 cycle, which strained the relationship with part of the community.
Frequently asked questions that resolve recurring doubts: How much does Windows 11 cost? In the official store, Windows 11 Home has a RRP of 145 euros. Is it free if it comes pre-installed? No, it's paid by the manufacturer, and that cost is usually reflected in the price of the equipment. How to use Windows 11 for free? You can upgrade from Windows 10 or join the Insider channel, with the caveats that entails. How to save on the license? Sometimes there are discounts at retailers like Amazon, and another option is to buy a used computer with a license included or a budget computer that's more affordable than the license alone.
The server operating system market: size, trends, and players
While we debate the desktop, the server universe is moving forward with its own logic. In 2024, server operating system market volume was around 26.389 (units/volume according to the source), with a projection from 29.539 in 2025 to 66.853 in 2032 at a 12,4% CAGRThe Americas led the 2024 market with a 59,56% revenue share, followed by Asia-Pacific as the region with the highest expected growth, and EMEA with solid growth driven by ICT spending and colocation.
What drives this cycle? The mass adoption of public and hybrid cloud, advanced virtualization, and edge deployments. IDC estimated that by 2024, more than 40% of enterprise applications would be on cloud infrastructure. Investments such as Oracle's $1.500 billion for a public cloud in Saudi Arabia (2023) or Google's expansion into India with more regions/zones reinforce demand. In this scenario, Linux captures the largest share for cost, performance, compatibility and security, while Windows Server accelerates through its integration with Azure and multi-layered security layers.
They also weigh the downtime costs: According to ITIC, in 2020, an hour of server downtime could cost $100.000 (and up to $1.670 per minute/server), with 88% of respondents placing the cost per hour at $301.000 or more. This pressure leads to cost models paid subscription which include support, maintenance and updates, although SMEs with limited resources still opt for non-subscription models when feasible.
Most cited segments and analysis cuts: by operating system (Windows, Linux, Unix and others), by virtualization status (virtual machines in the lead, followed by physical and virtualized environments), by subscription model (paid vs. unpaid) and by company type (large corporations with greater weight, SMEs with the highest CAGR). Regionally, the Americas lead in revenue; Asia-Pacific, expansion; Europe and MEA, sustained growth with more colocation data centers on the radar.
- Principal actors: Microsoft, Red Hat (IBM), Google, Amazon Web Services, Fujitsu, NEC, Apple, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Dell Technologies, Canonical.
- Recent milestones: Windows Server 2025 preview (Insider Preview 26040, January 2024); RHEL 8.8 and 9.2 releases (May 2023); Dell PowerEdge server expansion (January 2023); SQL Server 2022 with cloud integration (November 2022); Red Hat–Samsung next-gen memory collaboration (May 2022); Red Hat–General Motors Linux-based in-vehicle system agreement (May 2022).
Together, server and cloud drive Linux as a de facto standard, with Windows consolidated in Microsoft environments and hybrid workloads, and Unix/others maintaining niches where multitasking and multi-user continue to set the standard. Virtualization and containers have homogenized the field a lot, but the available talent and support They continue to be differentials when choosing.
Linux vs. Windows for hosting: when each is best
In web hosting, Linux is the veteran and the default choice for most deployments with PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, or databases like MySQL/MariaDB. It's free, modular, and very stable software; the costs appear when you purchase distributions with professional support or you need specialized profiles to get the most out of it.
Windows on hosting shines with ASP.NET and certain corporate environments; although .NET is now multi-platform, solutions such as SharePoint or Exchange remain Microsoft's property. It is paid, with support and updates within a defined window, and its GUI administration It is a plus for many teams, even though some “click” changes can introduce errors if not governed by policies.
The Linux philosophy privileges the structural simplicity: everything is a file and almost everything can be adjusted, even the kernel. There are CLI and GUI tools for management; freedom implies responsibility and can be overwhelming if you don't have experience. On the Windows side, the historical emphasis has been on usability and visual control, which lowers barriers to operation but can open risk vectors if insecure software is installed or parameters are touched indiscriminately.
Common decision mistakes: believing that the server system must match with your personal PC. No need to: with panels like Plesk or other tools, you can manage Linux or Windows interchangeably from wherever you are. In terms of costs, Linux isn't always "free" on a large scale; support and talent cost money. On Windows, the licensing model adds complexity in comparison.
There is no “single winner.” Windows offers clear advantages in corporate integrations and certain workloads, while Linux has the inertia of open source, efficiency, and an unbeatable web ecosystem. The right choice often depends more on the application and equipment that will operate on it rather than an abstract preference for one system or another.
With all of the above, it is better understood why the shares move as they do: Windows remains in the lead on the desktop, macOS defends its fleet with ups and downs by region, and Linux scales supported by better user experiences, the "leakage" of computers that don't upgrade to Windows 11, the Steam Deck effect, and greater awareness among the general public. If, in addition, some of the "unknown" people hide Linux users with privacy measures, the 5% sustained appears on the horizon as a feasible objective.
