In a significant milestone for open-source gaming, Linux users have achieved a record-breaking 2.69% share on Steam in May 2025, marking the highest adoption rate since 2018, according to the latest Steam Hardware & Software Survey.
This surge underscores the growing appeal of Linux as a viable gaming platform, driven by advancements in compatibility, performance, and community-driven development.
While Windows continues to dominate with a commanding 95.45% share, and macOS trails at 1.85%, Linux’s steady climb reflects a shift in the gaming landscape. The rise is fueled by innovations like Valve’s Steam Deck, which runs on SteamOS, and improved compatibility layers such as Proton, making thousands of Windows games playable on Linux.
Among Linux distributions, SteamOS Holo leads with a 30.95% share, despite a slight 2.83% drop. Arch Linux follows at 10.09% (+0.64%), showcasing its popularity among enthusiasts for its flexibility and performance. Linux Mint 22.1 has seen a notable uptick, capturing 7.76% (+1.56%), while Freedesktop SDK 24.08 (Flatpak runtime) holds 7.42% (+1.01%).
Other notable distros include Ubuntu Core 22 (4.63%, +0.01%), Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS (4.30%, -0.14%), and the rapidly rising CachyOS at 2.54% (+2.54%). EndeavourOS (2.44%, -0.02%), Manjaro Linux (2.43%, -0.18%), Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS (2.17%, -0.06%), and Debian GNU/Linux 12 (1.99%, -0.28%) also maintain strong presences, with other distributions collectively accounting for 23.27% (-2.27%).
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The growth of Linux on Steam highlights the platform’s increasing viability for gamers, driven by Valve’s ongoing investment in Linux-based gaming and the broader open-source community’s efforts. As compatibility tools and hardware support continue to improve, Linux’s momentum in the gaming world shows no signs of slowing down.
Source: Steam Hardware & Software Survey, May 2025
