Linux Just Hit a Record 5.33% of Steam Users: What That Milestone Means

For most of Steam's history, Linux sat as a rounding error in the monthly hardware survey, hovering around one or two percent of users. That story has changed. In the March 2026 Steam Hardware Survey, Linux reached 5.33% of users, the highest share it has ever held and the first time the platform has crossed the 5% line. It is a small number with an outsized meaning for PC gaming.

Quick Answer

Linux hit a record 5.33% of Steam users in the March 2026 Hardware Survey, crossing the 5% mark for the first time. The growth is driven largely by Steam Deck adoption and by users migrating away from Windows 10 as its support window closes. For gamers, it signals that Linux is now a genuinely viable platform for a large and growing slice of the Steam library.

Why This Milestone Matters

Five percent does not sound dramatic until you remember the scale. Steam has an enormous active user base, so a single percentage point represents a very large number of real people. Crossing 5% means Linux has moved from a niche curiosity into a slice of the market that developers can no longer treat as negligible.

The momentum matters as much as the figure. Linux on Steam spent years stuck low, and the steady climb to a record high reflects real adoption rather than a temporary spike. When a platform sets a new ceiling, developers and hardware makers take notice, and that attention tends to feed further growth.

What Is Driving the Growth

Two forces stand out. The first is the Steam Deck, Valve's handheld that runs a Linux-based system out of the box. Every Deck sold adds a Linux user to the survey, and the handheld's popularity has done more to mainstream Linux gaming than years of desktop advocacy. It put a polished Linux gaming experience into the hands of people who never set out to switch operating systems.

The second force is the wind-down of Windows 10 support. As that operating system reaches the end of its support life, some users are unwilling or unable to move to the newest Windows release and are exploring Linux as an alternative that keeps their hardware useful. That migration adds momentum on the desktop side to the handheld-led growth.

The compatibility layer that lets Windows games run on Linux has also matured to the point where a large portion of the Steam catalogue simply works, removing the biggest historical barrier to switching.

What It Means for South African Gamers

For local players, the practical takeaway is choice. A handheld running a Linux-based system is a genuinely capable way to play a big chunk of your Steam library on the move, and interest in that form factor is part of what these numbers reflect. The handheld gaming consoles stocked at Evetech sit right at the centre of this trend.

If you would rather game on a full desktop, the growth of Linux compatibility means a self-built or prebuilt machine is no longer locked to a single operating system to run your collection. The current best-selling PCs at Evetech give you the horsepower whichever way you choose to run your games.

Frequently Asked Questions

What share of Steam users now run Linux?

Linux reached 5.33% of Steam users in the March 2026 Hardware Survey. This is its highest recorded share and the first time the platform has crossed the 5% threshold.

Why is Linux gaming growing on Steam?

The main drivers are Steam Deck adoption, since the handheld runs a Linux-based system, and users migrating away from Windows 10 as its support ends. Improved game compatibility has also lowered the barrier to switching.

Can I play my Steam games on Linux?

A large portion of the Steam catalogue runs on Linux thanks to Valve's compatibility layer. Many titles work without any extra effort, though a minority still run best on Windows.

Is the Steam Deck a Linux device?

Yes. The Steam Deck ships with a Linux-based operating system, which is a major reason Linux's share on Steam has climbed to record levels.