Why you might want to
switch to Linux

By Aatu Väisänen

July 9th, 2025

Linux as a desktop operating system (OS) has been trending online recently. While the demand for an alternative to Windows and MacOS has been brewing under the hood for years, in 2025 the interest toward switching to Linux has really seemed to ramp up.

What is Linux?

Linux is an open-source operating system based on the Unix architecture, known for its stability, security, and flexibility. As a desktop operating system, Linux refers to distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora and Manjaro, each with their own flavors, which combine a graphical user interface with the Linux kernel (which is technically speaking the Linux). They are designed for everyday use on personal computers, providing a full suite of applications, system tools, and access to a wide range of open-source software.

A fun fact: The Linux kernel is also used in the world’s most widely used smartphone operating system: Android. This means that over 70% of all smartphone users use Linux every day.

Why has Linux been gaining popularity?

The rising interest in Linux as a desktop OS has many drivers. On top of Linux being a very performative OS

Windows 11 is… well, just a mess

Microsoft’s questionable handling of the Windows 11 operating system has arguably reached anti-consumer levels. Windows 11 is riddled with ads, lots of pre-installed software that most users don’t need (“bloatware”), poor performance, and a somewhat unintuitive UI/UX, to name a few issues. Also, the fact that it has been made purposefully difficult to opt out of different brand new features—such as the AI functions provided with Copilot, and the invasive usage tracking capabilities—has pushed many users to look for alternatives.

Windows 10 is dying out

Windows 10 will reach its end-of-life on October 14, 2025. This means that a vast number of computers around the world will stop receiving critical security updates.

This wouldn’t be such a problem if everyone could simply upgrade to Windows 11. However, because Windows 11 has arbitrary hardware requirements, many older PCs are not eligible for the upgrade. While an experienced user can bypass these requirements, it’s pretty much out of reach for average user.

Being stuck in the Apple Ecosystem isn’t cool

While MacOS is a great desktop operating system, it has many flaws that some people—especially developers—might find overbearing. For example, many developers do not share Apple’s vision of optimal development workflows. The hardware lock-in, software limitations and privacy concerns increase the appeal of switching to Linux.

Gaming on Linux is actually a thing now

The Steam Deck, which runs on SteamOS (a fork of a popular Linux distribution called Arch) has helped tremendously in making gaming on Linux possible. With the Steam Deck and SteamOS, Valve has been developing Proton, a compatibility layer between Windows software and Linux-based systems. Thanks to Proton, a growing number of games are now accessible on Linux, meaning gamers are no longer as dependent on Windows.

Many popular YouTubers and other online influencers, such as PewDiePie and ThePrimeagen, have recently made several videos about their experiences in switching to Linux, which has made the topic more accessible to the masses. This has been a great way to get more and more people interested in making the switch.

Another fun fact: Linux is the world's most used operating system for servers.

The caveats of switching to Linux

While many people are interested in moving to Linux, it’s important to acknowledge some caveats that may not be obvious at first glance.

There is a learning curve

Most Linux distributions tend to be more hands-on than Windows or MacOS. You might be required to use the terminal to complete certain configuration tasks. Of course, the difficulty and steepness of the learning curve depend on the distribution. For the most effortless path, I would recommend Linux Mint, Manjaro or Zorin OS, as they are highly beginner-friendly distributions.

Software compatibility

Many popular software applications, like the Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office do not have native Linux versions. This means Linux might not be for you if you absolutely need these types of programs. However, if you're able to adapt, there are many open source alternatives that can replace (to some degree) applications like Photoshop and Microsoft Office: GIMP and LibreOffice. Still, the capabilities of these open-source alternatives are usually limited compared to their commercial counterparts.

Possible issues with hardware support

With Linux, there is sometimes a chance that some parts of your hardware may not function as expected. For example, with Apple’s never Macs, you might run into challenges getting your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or webcam to work properly. While most of these issues can usually be solved, they may require a lot of tinkering in the terminal—which can be too much for the average users.

Conclusion

There has been a running joke online for decades now about “The Year of Linux on the Desktop.” That joke might finally get old in 2025, as more and more people are seriously considering switching to Linux as their daily desktop operating system. Issues with Windows 11, the end-of-life for Windows 10, the limitations of the Apple ecosystem, the growing accessibility of gaming on Linux, and the rise of Linux-related content online are all strong motivators for users to begin their Linux journey.

However, Linux still has its flaws. It is not the most beginner-friendly system—it has a learning curve, software compatibility issues, and potential hardware support challenges. It’s also fair to point out that, despite its growth, Linux as a desktop OS remains a niche. That said, things can change rapidly, and we’ll have to wait and see how Linux fares in the desktop market in the coming years.

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