Global Operating System Market Share in 2025: Desktop, Mobile, and Server Insights

As of April 2025, the global operating system (OS) market is a dynamic landscape shaped by technological advancements, regional policies, and evolving user needs. This article explores the market shares of operating systems across desktop, mobile, and server segments, highlighting key trends and regional variations, with a focus on data from sources like StatCounter, industry reports, and social media insights.

Desktop Operating Systems: Windows Dominates, Linux Rises

The desktop OS market remains heavily influenced by Microsoft's Windows, which held approximately 72.7% of the global market in December 2023, according to StatCounter. By 2025, this share is expected to dip slightly to around 70%, driven by the rise of Linux and regional systems, particularly in China. Windows' dominance stems from its broad hardware compatibility and entrenched enterprise adoption.

Apple's macOS commands about 16.4% of the market, maintaining stability due to its stronghold among creative professionals and premium users. Linux, with a 4.5% share in mid-2024, is projected to surpass 5% by 2025, fueled by its open-source nature, cost-effectiveness, and growing appeal among developers and users migrating from Windows 10, which ends support in October 2025. Distributions like Ubuntu and Debian are key drivers.

In China, the desktop market diverges significantly. While Windows holds roughly 75%, domestic systems like Kylin (KYLINSOFT), UOS, and HarmonyOS have captured 80% of the business and government (B-end) market and 20% of the consumer (C-end) market, propelled by national policies promoting technological self-reliance.

Other systems, including Chrome OS, account for 6-8% globally, with Chrome OS gaining traction in education and lightweight computing.

Mobile Operating Systems: Android Leads, HarmonyOS Emerges

The mobile OS market is dominated by two giants: Android and iOS. In 2020, Android held a 40.5% share of the global device market (including mobiles and tablets), per social media data, and is expected to maintain 38-40% in 2025. Its open-source model and support for diverse hardware ensure its lead, particularly in emerging markets.

Apple's iOS, with a 14.9% share in 2020, is projected to reach 15-17% by 2025, driven by premium device sales in North America and Europe. In China, Huawei's HarmonyOS is a rising star, potentially capturing 10-15% of the domestic mobile market by 2025 and 2-3% globally, leveraging its integration across devices and strong government backing.

Other mobile OSes, such as KaiOS and customized Android variants, hold a marginal 1-2% share, serving niche markets like feature phones.

Server Operating Systems: Linux Reigns Supreme

The server OS market paints a different picture, with Linux commanding a formidable 62.7% share as of March 2025, per Wikipedia and industry estimates. Linux's dominance is driven by its stability, security, and cost-effectiveness, making it the go-to choice for data centers, cloud computing, and supercomputers. Key distributions include Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu Server, and SUSE. By 2025, Linux's share could approach 65%, bolstered by cloud-native technologies like Kubernetes.

Windows Server, with an estimated 20-25% share, remains a staple in enterprises reliant on Microsoft ecosystems, such as Active Directory and Office 365. However, its share is gradually eroding due to Linux's cost and performance advantages. Some reports suggest Windows Server held 58% in 2024, but this likely reflects specific contexts rather than the broader market.

Unix systems (e.g., AIX, Solaris, HP-UX) account for 5-7%, primarily in legacy financial and telecom sectors, but their high costs and closed ecosystems limit growth. Other systems, including IBM's z/OS for mainframes and BSD variants like FreeBSD, hold about 5%, serving specialized high-performance niches.

In China, Linux (including domestic variants like Red Flag Linux and Kylin) occupies 50-55% of the server market, while domestic systems like Kylin, UOS, and HarmonyOS Server claim 30-35%, driven by the "Xinchuang" (IT innovation) policy. Windows Server retains 15-20%, mainly in small and medium enterprises.

Regional and Emerging Trends

China’s Unique Landscape

China’s OS market is heavily influenced by its push for technological independence. Domestic systems like Kylin, UOS, and HarmonyOS dominate government and enterprise sectors, with a projected 30-35% share in both desktop and server markets by 2025. HarmonyOS, in particular, is gaining traction in mobile and IoT, potentially capturing 20% of China's embedded systems market.

Global Trends

• Linux Growth: Linux’s rise across desktop and server markets is driven by Windows 10’s end-of-support and increasing cloud adoption. Its low resource demands and open-source flexibility make it ideal for diverse applications.
• AI and Ecosystems: Operating systems are evolving to integrate AI and support cross-device ecosystems. HarmonyOS’s distributed architecture and Linux’s cloud-native capabilities are notable examples.
• Cloud and Virtualization: The server OS market, valued at $22.1 billion in 2024, is expected to reach $24 billion in 2025 (CAGR 8.5-12.1%), with cloud deployments driving Linux and Windows Server growth.
• Regional Dynamics: North America (38% of the global server market) balances Linux and Windows Server, while Asia-Pacific (11.2% CAGR) sees rapid Linux and domestic system growth due to data center expansion in China and India.

Key Players in 2025

The top OS brands in 2025, spanning desktop, mobile, and server segments, include:

1. Windows (Microsoft)
2. iOS (Apple)
3. Android (Google)
4. macOS (Apple)
5. Kylin (KYLINSOFT, China)
6. HarmonyOS (Huawei)
7. Puhua (China)
8. UOS (Tongxin Software, China)
9. NewStart (ZTE, China)
10. Fangde (China Science and Technology, China)

Conclusion

In 2025, the global OS market reflects a blend of continuity and disruption. Windows and Android maintain their leads in desktop and mobile segments, respectively, while Linux dominates servers. However, emerging players like HarmonyOS and Chinese domestic systems are reshaping the landscape, particularly in Asia. As AI, cloud computing, and national policies drive innovation, the OS market will continue to evolve, with Linux and regional ecosystems poised for significant growth.

For a deeper dive into specific OS trends or visual representations of market shares, further analysis can be conducted using real-time data or charting tools.