The ecosystem of OS desktop is experiencing a period of significant changes in its structure and market share distribution. Windows has historically been the absolute dominator, but in recent years we've seen a downward trend in its share, while macOS and, especially, Linux are experiencing a steady rise. The current landscape is more open than ever. and many users wonder if we will ever see a real balance between the three platforms.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the market share of Windows, macOS, and Linux., reviewing figures, trends, causes of change, and the role of each system, both in personal computers and in professional and server environments. All information is up-to-date and based on the most reliable and comprehensive data from recognized sources such as StatCounter and recent market research.
Current market share landscape: Windows, macOS, and Linux
Windows' dominance remains clear, but is declining. According to the latest records from StatCounter, Windows holds approximately 70-73% of the global desktop operating system share.However, the relevant fact is its downward trend over the past decade, when it was around 85-90%. If we analyze data from December 2024, the figure is around 73,38% and in June 2025 it has dropped to 70,14%..
macOS consolidates its second position with a global market share ranging between 14% and 15% (in June 2025, it reached 14,14%), although in countries like the United States its penetration is much higher, exceeding 24% in this market if we add macOS and OS X. This geographical difference reflects the strong roots of Apple devices in the North American market, where "national" continues to weigh heavily in purchasing decisions.
Linux, traditionally in the shadows, is experiencing its best moment in historyThe well-known "1%" share is now history. In 2021 and 2022, StatCounter placed Linux at around 2%. In 2023, it jumped to 3%, and in 2024 it steadily exceeded 4%. In December 2024, Linux reached 4,13% globally and in some months even approached 4,55%. Furthermore, in June 2025, Linux reached 4,09% globally and exceeded 5% in the US. (5,03%), consolidating its upward trend.
Why are the quotas changing?
The decline of Windows is due to several factors. One of the main ones is the end of Windows 10 support, which will arrive in October 2025, forcing millions of users and companies to decide whether to invest in a new computer compatible with Windows 11 or look for alternatives. In addition, Microsoft's restrictive strategy with Windows 11 (requirements such as the TPM 2.0, modern processors and new security policies) has left many behind with hardware oldest.
Linux is directly benefiting from this contextMany users who don't want to invest in a new computer or aren't interested in the macOS ecosystem are trying out popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Linux Mint for the first time, which have greatly improved in recent years in terms of ease of use, compatibility, and hardware support. The growing presence of devices like Steam Deck, consoles portable and the popularity of Android They also increase the trust and visibility of Linux.
In the case of macOS, Despite a slight decline in global sales, its market share remains strong in the US, and while it experienced a dip between September 2024 and April 2025, it appears to have stabilized. The transition to Apple Silicon processors and the loyalty of its user base keep macOS as the second choice worldwide.
Recent data and key figures on market share
StatCounter's latest global figures for desktop systems They show the following distribution at the end of 2024 and the first half of 2025:
- Windows: Between 70,14% and 73,41% worldwide
- macOS: Around 14,14% globally, reaching almost 24% in the US if we add OS X and macOS
- Linux: Approximately 4,13% globally and up to 5,03% in the US.
- ChromeOS: Between 1,24% and 1,9% worldwide; 2,71% in the US.
- Unknown systems: About 6,41% worldwide and 4,76% in the US, likely encompassing a variety of platforms, with a significant portion of Linux prioritizing privacy.
If we extrapolate this data to the user level, considering that there are about 2.500 billion connected desktop systems, Linux accounts for at least 100 million unique usersThe actual figure may be higher, as a large portion of the "unknown" share likely belongs to Linux variants that prefer to keep their privacy to themselves.
Historical evolution and future forecasts
In the last decade, the evolution has been significantWindows has lost nearly 13 percentage points in the United States alone, dropping from 76% to 63% in ten years. Apple, combining macOS and OS X, has increased its share from 14% to 24%. Linux, which took eight years to surpass 2%, has doubled its share to 4-5% in just three years. ChromeOS maintains modest figures, below 2%, although it has a greater presence in the US.
Linux is expected to reach 5% global market by 2025. If it maintains its current pace, especially when Windows 10 support ends and many users look for free or lower-spec options. The question is whether this trend will continue or if Windows will be able to halt its decline with new strategies.
Factors Driving Linux Growth
The growth of Linux is not due to a single reasonThe main causes include:
- Greater ease of use: Modern distributions include intuitive and easy-to-use graphical environments for all levels.
- Better compatibility: It can now run on almost any laptop or PC, even older hardware.
- Free and open source: No cost or licensing, unlike Windows and macOS.
- Alternative for older PCs: Many people who can't run Windows 11 see Linux as a viable option.
- Devices like Steam Deck: that use Linux distributions and offer potential for gaming and leisure.
- Improvements to applications and tools: Although there are still some proprietary applications missing, programs like Wine make it easier to run Windows software.
However, Linux still has limitations.: Compatibility with certain professional programs and online games is still not equal to that of Windows, which represents a challenge for its growth in more demanding segments.
Situation in the professional and server fields
The server market is different from that of the home userHere, Linux is the undisputed leader, especially in data centers, web servers, cloud services, and virtualization. The global server operating system market reached 26.389 units in 2024 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 12,4% until 2032, doubling its volume.
Linux dominates thanks to its open source nature, adaptability and low costProducts like Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Ubuntu Server are the preferred options for large companies and startups. Although Microsoft maintains a presence with Windows Server and Azure solutions, the trend is increasingly favoring Linux-based solutions, especially in hybrid and cloud architectures.
Geographic context and segmentation by region
Fees vary greatly by region. The Americas, especially the US and Canada, show greater penetration of Apple and Linux, while in Europe Windows maintains a slight advantage. In Asia Pacific, growth is accelerated, driven by China and India, where the migration to free and affordable solutions favors Linux in education and business.
In the professional and server sectors, the Americas lead in market share, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific, where the expansion of data centers and cloud solutions is unstoppable. Virtualization has driven the adoption of Linux to reduce costs and optimize resources.
Future outlook and trends
The future will be defined by the evolution of the cloud, virtualization, and service integration.Microsoft has transformed Windows into a "service" model, with subscription revenue, storage in the cloud and ecosystems such as Microsoft 365 and Azure, rather than just selling licenses. It's likely that in the near future, Windows will be offered free to end users, generating revenue through associated services.
For its part, Linux will continue its growth, driven by the open source trend, digitalization in emerging countries, and user migration following the end of Windows 10 support. Although compatibility with specialized software and games still needs to be improved, it is getting closer to achieving this.
Apple will continue to focus on tight but streamlined integration, basing its success on user loyalty and the strength of its ecosystem.
The desktop operating system industry is undergoing a transformation. Windows dominance, though still predominant, is facing a gradual opening to robust and affordable alternative solutions.The coming years will bring changes and innovations that will continue to shape this ever-evolving market.
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