The Quiet Revolution: GNU/Linux Crosses 6% Desktop Market Share—And It’s Just the Beginning
Purism
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For decades, the phrase “Year of the Linux Desktop” has been tossed around like a tech industry punchline. But now, it’s no longer a meme—it’s a movement. According to the U.S. government’s own analytics, GNU/Linux has officially crossed the 6% threshold in desktop usage. That’s not hype. That’s hard data.
The Numbers That Matter
The Digital Analytics Program (DAP), which tracks visits to over 5,000 federal websites, reports that 6% of users in the past month were running GNU/Linux. Add Android (16.2%) and ChromeOS (0.8%)—both using the Linux kernel—and you’re looking at a staggering 23% of visitors using Linux-kernel based systems. That’s more than macOS (11.7%) and even individual versions of Windows.
StatCounter, although less reliable, also shows GNU/Linux reaching an all-time high of 5.03% in the U.S. and 7.74% globally when ChromeOS is included. Even if you take their data with a grain of salt, the trend is unmistakable: GNU/Linux is rising!
Why Now?
This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about momentum. GNU/Linux’s desktop share hovered below 2% for years. But since 2020, it’s been climbing fast:
- 2020: ~1.5%
- 2021: 2%
- 2022: 2.76%
- 2023: 3.12%
- 2024: Over 4%
- 2025: 5–6%+
The acceleration is real. And it’s not just techies anymore—modern GNU/Linux distros like Purism’s own PureOS, Fedora, and Ubuntu have become polished, user-friendly, and privacy-respecting alternatives to bloated, surveillance-heavy operating systems.
A Purism Perspective
From the lens of Purism, this shift is more than market share—it’s a cultural awakening. People are reclaiming control over their digital lives. They’re choosing systems that respect their privacy, don’t lock them into proprietary ecosystems, and empower them to customize their experience. GNU/Linux is the OS of choice for those who value transparency, security, and freedom. And now, it’s trending as the OS for the mainstream.
What This Means for You
If you’re sitting on a Windows 10 machine that can’t upgrade to Windows 11, or if you’re tired of Apple’s walled garden, now’s the time to explore PureOS, a FSF endorsed GNU/Linux distribution. You don’t need to be a developer or a sysadmin. You just need curiosity—and a desire for something better.
PureOS on a Librem 14 laptop, PureOS on a Librem 11 tablet, or PureOS on a Liberty Phone; the tools are ready. The community is thriving. And the future is open.
Purism Products and Availability Chart
| Model | Status | Lead Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Librem Key (Made in USA) | In Stock ($59+) | 10 business days | |
 | Liberty Phone (Made in USA Electronics) | In Stock ($1,999+) 4GB/128GB | 10 business days | |
| Librem 5 | In Stock ($799+) 3GB/32GB | 10 business days | |
 | Librem 11 | In Stock ($999+) 8GB/1TB | 10 business days | |
 | Librem 14 | Out of stock | New Version in Development | |
 | Librem Mini | Out of stock | New Version in Development | |
 | Librem Server | In Stock ($2,999+) | 45 business days | |
 | Librem PQC Encryptor | Available Now, contact sales@puri.sm | 90 business days | |
 | Librem PQC Comms Server | Available Now, contact sales@puri.sm | 90 business days |
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