In a significant development for gaming enthusiasts, Steam on Linux has reached an all-time high, surpassing the crucial 3% threshold for the first time. The latest results from the Steam Survey for October 2025 reveal that Linux gaming is gaining traction, marking a notable achievement in the gaming community.
The recently released Steam Survey data shows that Steam on Linux has climbed to an impressive 3.05% market share, reflecting a substantial increase of 0.41% from the previous month. This rise is particularly significant considering that earlier this year, Steam on Linux was hovering just below the 3% mark. The last time Linux gaming approached this level was shortly after its launch over a decade ago, when the overall user base was considerably smaller.
One of the driving forces behind this surge in Linux gaming is the success of Valve's Steam Deck, alongside other handheld devices. The integration of Steam Play, utilizing Proton to enhance compatibility, has also played a crucial role in this growth. These factors combined have contributed to the best numbers ever recorded for Steam on Linux.
In the broader context of the Steam user base, Windows remains dominant at 94.84%, marking a decline below 95% for the first time in recent history. Meanwhile, macOS holds a modest 2.11% of the market share. To provide a historical perspective, in October 2024, Steam on Linux accounted for only 2.00% of the total users, highlighting the steady growth of Linux gaming.
Diving deeper into Linux-specific data, SteamOS — which is primarily utilized on the Steam Deck — commands approximately 27% of all Linux installations. In terms of CPU market share, Intel has gained 1%, reaching 32.89%, while AMD remains the leader at 67.1%. For the Windows platform, Intel holds a significant 57.8% market share compared to AMD's 42%.
The October 2025 Steam Survey results are a testament to the growing popularity of Steam on Linux. Breaking the elusive 3% barrier indicates a positive trend for the future of gaming on Linux platforms. For those interested in exploring the full range of statistics from this month’s survey, detailed data is available at SteamPowered.com.
Michael Larabel is the principal author of Phoronix.com, a site he founded in 2004 to enhance the Linux hardware experience. With over 20,000 articles covering various aspects of Linux hardware support, performance, and graphics drivers, Michael's insights are invaluable to the community. He is also the lead developer of benchmarking software including the Phoronix Test Suite, Phoromatic, and OpenBenchmarking.org. You can follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn, or reach out through MichaelLarabel.com.
