For a long time, Windows was the only serious choice for PC gaming. But according to a recent Steam survey, the landscape is starting to change. The open-source operating system Linux is gaining ground in the gaming world – and with good reason.
Marius Müller (translated by Marius Müller), Published 🇩🇪
Linux, an open-source operating system long favored by tech enthusiasts, developers and IT professionals, is now gaining traction among gamers as well. This trend is reflected in Steam’s latest hardware and software survey, which shows that 2.89% of all Steam users are currently gaming on Linux. Of course, Windows continues to dominate the market with an overwhelming 95.23% share, but Linux is now approaching the 3% mark for the first time and, in contrast to the previous month, has recorded an increase of 0.32%. For comparison, macOS holds a 1.88% share.
Two reasons for the Linux hype
The main force driving Linux’s rise among gamers is Valve’s own handheld, the Steam Deck (available on Amazon for $475), which runs on SteamOS – a Linux distribution based on Arch. Linux offers several clear advantages for mobile gaming, including longer battery life, lower resource usage and, in some cases, better performance compared to Windows. Among Linux users on Steam, SteamOS is the most widely used distribution, accounting for 28%. Other popular choices include CachyOS (currently one of the top gaming-focused distros), Fedora 42, Nobara Linux, Bazzite and Nitrux.
Alongside hardware, software developments are also boosting Linux’s popularity. With Proton 10.0, the latest update of the Windows compatibility tool, many games now run more smoothly and with improved compatibility on Linux. This lowers the barrier for newcomers and brings the gaming experience closer to what players are used to on Windows. While Windows will likely remain the dominant platform for gamers for the foreseeable future, the Steam survey reveals a clear trend: Linux is no longer on the sidelines.
Related Articles
As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart – in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I’m not sitting at my computer, I’m probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life – namely sitting for long periods – at the local swimming pool.
Marius Müller, 2025-08- 4 (Update: 2025-08- 4)
