Did you know that only about 3% of Steam users are gaming on Linux? And here's where it gets interesting—about one-third of those Linux gamers are actually using Valve's own SteamOS, a specialized Linux-based operating system designed specifically for gaming on PCs. This means that roughly 3.05% of all active Steam users are playing on Linux platforms that run Steam as their digital rights management (DRM) system.
What makes this figure even more noteworthy is the rapid growth it has experienced. Compared to October 2024, when Linux accounted for just 2% of Steam activity, there's been a significant 33% increase year-over-year. This growth has allowed Steam on Linux to overtake Steam on macOS, which currently accounts for about 2.11% of active users. Still, Windows dominates the scene by a wide margin, capturing nearly 95% of the PC gaming market on Steam.
Within the Windows ecosystem, Windows 11 has recently gained a 3% market share, pushing it further ahead of Windows 10. At present, Windows 11 commands around 63.57% of Steam's user base, while Windows 10 trails behind at approximately 31.14%.
And this is the part most people miss: while Windows remains the reigning king, the steady rise of Linux—especially with SteamOS—signals an evolving landscape in PC gaming. Could Linux further challenge Windows' dominance in the future? Or will these figures stabilize? Share your thoughts—do you believe Linux's growth is sustainable, or is it just a fleeting trend?
