Linux’s share of Steam’s reported operating-system survey crossed 5% in March 2026, reaching 5.33%, according to PC Gamer’s coverage of Valve’s monthly survey. It did not stay there: Valve’s latest available result, for September 2026, puts Linux at 3.05%.
Did Linux really pass 5% of Steam users?
Yes—in the March 2026 Steam Hardware & Software Survey, the reported Linux share rose to 5.33%, up from 2.13% in February. PC Gamer described the unusually large movement across survey categories and noted that the survey’s accuracy was an open question. The figure is a reported monthly result, not evidence that Linux permanently passed 5% of Steam users. PC Gamer, April 2, 2026
Where did Linux’s share stand in the latest result?
Valve’s September 2026 survey lists Linux at 3.05%, down 0.85 percentage points from August. Windows accounted for 95.03% and macOS 1.92% in that month’s combined-platform results. The September figure is the latest available in the sources cited here. Valve’s Steam Hardware & Software Survey
How did the reported share change?
| Survey month | Linux share | Change from previous month | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | 2.13% | Not stated in the cited reporting | Reported Steam survey share, cited by PC Gamer |
| March 2026 | 5.33% | +3.20 percentage points from February, calculated from the reported figures | Reported Steam survey share, cited by PC Gamer |
| August 2026 | 3.90% | -0.11 percentage points | GamingOnLinux’s report of the monthly Steam survey |
| September 2026 | 3.05% | -0.85 percentage points | Valve’s reported monthly survey share |
GamingOnLinux reported that Simplified Chinese rose 1.45 percentage points to 23.97% in August and observed that this often coincided with Linux dropping. That is an association the outlet noted, not proof that language, geography, or any specific change caused Linux’s subsequent movement. GamingOnLinux, September 2, 2026
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
What does Steam’s percentage measure?
It measures Linux representation in Valve’s monthly Steam Hardware & Software Survey—not Linux’s share of all computer users or all PC gamers. Valve says it conducts the survey monthly and that “Participation in the survey is optional, and anonymous.” The sources cited here do not report a respondent count or confidence interval, so the percentage should be read as a survey result rather than a census of Steam accounts. Valve’s survey description and results
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the figure mean Steam Deck owners drove the increase?
No such conclusion is established by the reported figures. Valve’s survey includes SteamOS within its Linux breakdown, and SteamOS is used on the Steam Deck, but the available sources do not quantify how many Linux survey respondents used a Deck. The March jump therefore cannot be attributed to Steam Deck owners on this evidence alone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
Rank #2
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 2TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
