Linux is making history on Valve’s Steam gaming platform. The latest Hardware & Software Survey for March 2026 shows Linux at 5.33% usage, up a massive 3.10 % points from last month. This is the first time Linux has crossed the 5% mark in the survey.
And let me tell you – this is big. Here’s why. In November 2024, reaching 2% on Steam was considered a breakthrough. By November 2025, Linux had gained another 1% and passed 3%. And now, just five months later, it has suddenly and largely unexpectedly climbed above 5%, maintaining the steady growth of recent years.
If we calculate it in terms of users, applying it to Steam’s roughly 132 million monthly active users, Linux’s 5.33% share would equal about 7 million users. A figure that, no matter how you look at it, cannot be ignored by the big names in the gaming industry.
Of course, Windows remains the main platform on Steam, accounting for 92.33% of surveyed systems in March. macOS holds 2.35%. Still, Linux’s latest numbers stand out this month, thanks to breaking the 5% barrier and the big 2% jump from last month.
The reasons for the sharp Linux spike remain unclear. It is striking, however, that Windows falls to 92.33% with a -4.28 point change, Linux rises to 5.33% with a +3.10 point change, and Windows 11 jumps to 66.85% with a +10.57 point change. At the same time, however, Windows 10 has seen a massive drop of nearly 15%.
For Linux users on Steam, Arch Linux is still the king in March at 0.34%. Next came Linux Mint at 0.27% and Ubuntu at 0.20% (summary). Manjaro accounts for 0.06%. However, all of these distros combined account for less than 1%. So, where is the remaining 4%? That remains an open question.
Valve’s public March 2026 page does not provide a detailed methodological note explaining the Linux jump beyond the standard description of the survey itself. In any case, this achievement can certainly be described as historic. So, is there anyone left who would dispute Linux’s capabilities as a gaming platform?
For more details, see Valve’s Steam Hardware and Software Survey for March 2026.
MacOS also saw a boost. Windows will never be unseated, but it us interesting to watch it slip a little.
Nice! Would like to know what those random OS names are.
6.5 million daily Steam users is insignificant?
Is this your idea of a bad, belated April’s Fool joke?
This comment was meant as a response Anne O, not sure why it showed up here instead.
Dear sir,
I am happy for Linux users on Steam; I truly am. But it seems to me that the most important stat is on the desktop. And, in that department, Linux usage is not increasing: it is *_clearly and indisputedly decreasing_*. Stats from gs.statcounter.com
Worldwide: 4.48% of desktop users were using Linux in September 2024.
Now, in March 2026, it is 3.16%
Barbados: 15.09% of desktop users were using Linux in January 2026.
Now, in March 2026, it is 4.3%
Finland: during 10 months of 2025, there were over 12% of desktop users who were using Linux. Now, in March 2026, it is 4.23%
Norway: during each month of 2025, there were over 13% of desktop users who were using Linux. Now, in March 2026, it is 3.45%
Bulgaria: 11.64% of desktop users were using Linux in December 2025.
Now, in March 2026, it is 2.07%
Georgia: 9.3% of desktop users were using Linux in January 2026.
Now, in March 2026, it is 3.92%
Burkina Faso: 8.27% of desktop users were using Linux in January 2026.
Now, in March 2026, it is 2.21%
Montenegro: 8.12% of desktop users were using Linux in January 2026.
Now, in March 2026, it is 2.53%
Turkey: 7.3% of desktop users were using Linux in January 2026.
Now, in March 2026, it is 3.22%
Greece: 12% of desktop users were using Linux in April 2024.
Now, in March 2026, it is 4.08%
India: 16.24% of desktop users were using Linux in October 2024.
Now, in March 2026, it is 5.54%
Again, I am sincerely happy for Linux users on Steam. But the most important and relevant stat has to be on the desktop. And over there, there is no (or very little) progress.
That’s a historical jump It’s gone from nearly completely and entirely unused to insignificant. At this rate within another 5 years or so it will be completely moot.