Yes—Statcounter’s worldwide desktop operating-system chart reported Linux at 4.02% in January 2026. That is a dated estimate of Linux’s share of desktop operating-system page views, not a count of all computers running Linux or a share of all devices.
What does Linux’s 4.02% share mean?
Statcounter estimates operating-system usage by analyzing page views on websites that use its tracking code. Its FAQ describes a network of more than 1 million sites and more than 3 billion page views per month. The 4.02% figure therefore represents Linux’s share of observed worldwide desktop OS page views in January 2026—not Linux’s share of computer sales, installations, unique users, or devices.
Statcounter says it uses page views rather than unique visitors, removes bot activity, and does not artificially weight the data. Those choices do not make the chart a census: its results depend on the sites in its network and on how browsers and operating systems are identified. Statcounter advises readers to judge whether its methodology suits their intended use.
Why the month matters
The 4.02% reading is a milestone for January 2026, not a timeless or necessarily current value. Statcounter’s returned chart snapshots show different results for different months, and the live chart can change. A claim about Linux’s share should include the chart’s month and source; the January figure should not be presented as the exact October 2026 reading.
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For current reporting, consult Statcounter’s worldwide desktop operating-system chart and state the period shown. A later reading may be higher or lower without contradicting the January result.
How to compare this figure fairly
Market-share numbers are meaningful only when they describe comparable things. Before comparing Linux’s Statcounter result with another OS statistic, check:
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- Geography: worldwide data is not interchangeable with a country or regional estimate.
- Platform: desktop share is not mobile share or share across all devices.
- Time period: match the month or year being reported.
- Measurement: page views are different from unique people, device shipments, or installed systems.
- Method: check how the source identifies operating systems and handles bots, weighting, and sampling.
For example, a 2025 European Parliament study cites an approximate 3–4% Linux desktop share for Europe. That is regional context, not a competing worldwide result.
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Sources and scope
- Statcounter Global Stats: Desktop Operating System Market Share Worldwide — chart data by month.
- Statcounter Global Stats FAQ — methodology, page-view basis, bot handling, weighting, and limitations.
- European Parliament: European Software and Cyber Dependencies (2025) — regional context for Europe.
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