Linux Achieves a 3% Desktop Share, But ChromeOS Remains the Leader
For the first time in three decades, the Linux family of operating systems reached a notable milestone on desktop computers, achieving a 3% share. Yet this milestone did not topple ChromeOS, which continues to hold a stronger position in the desktop market. The figures come from StatCounter, a well-known analytics service widely used to track operating system usage across devices.
In the overall OS landscape for desktop and laptop computers, Windows still dominates with about two-thirds of the market. Specifically, Windows accounts for roughly 68.15% of installations. macOS, from Apple, remains in the second spot with around 21.38%. ChromeOS sits in third place with roughly 4.15%, while Linux trails behind but continues to grow. While Linux gains momentum, Google’s Linux-based OS has not yet closed the gap with Microsoft and Apple, according to the latest data from StatCounter.
Looking at the global picture for June, approximately 3.08% of personal computers run Linux operating systems. StatCounter also notes that about 3.24% of machines worldwide operate FreeBSD or other unknown or unlisted systems, underscoring the diversity of the desktop ecosystem.
When compared with 2018 data, Linux has doubled its desktop market share, rising from 1.64% to 3.08%. During the same period, macOS grew from 12.33% to 21.38%, while Windows experienced a decline in its share. In 2018, Microsoft’s operating system powered about 82% of computers globally, highlighting a significant shift in the OS balance over the years.
Linux continues to dominate in server environments, high-performance computing, embedded systems, and the Internet of Things. In contrast, Windows and macOS remain the preferred choices for most consumers when purchasing personal computers and laptops, reflecting different usage patterns across consumer and enterprise segments.
In other related news, a compact computer concept was recently introduced in the form of a flash-drive-sized device priced around 2.5 thousand rubles, illustrating ongoing experimentation with portable computing form factors in the broader tech market.