Business Linux use on desktop and laptop computers in enterprises is on the rise, as network scans reveal.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Linux is making significant inroads into the private and public sectors. According to Lansweeper's figures, Europe is slightly ahead of North America in terms of Linux adoption, with Business Services and Government sectors showing significantly higher Linux adoption in Europe compared to North America.
One of the primary drivers behind this shift is the need to harden an organization's security posture. Businesses are increasingly seeking to secure their systems in response to rising cybersecurity threats, perceiving Linux as a more secure option compared to traditional operating systems. This trend is further fuelled by the exponential growth of threats across all operating systems, creating nervousness among IT organizations responsible for security.
Another factor driving the increase in Linux adoption among businesses is the desire to avoid licensing fees and vendor lock-in associated with proprietary operating systems like Windows. Companies are adopting Linux to reduce costs and achieve greater control over their IT infrastructure.
The shift towards Linux is not solely driven by a desire to embrace open source, but rather by a need for a more secure and cost-effective solution. The city of Munich, Germany, historically known for its flip-flopping between Linux and Windows, is a testament to this trend. On assets that appeared for the first time after March 1, 2025, Linux usage reached 2.5%.
The growth of Linux usage is gradual but may accelerate if predictions are correct. Lansweeper's scans of customers' networks show an increase in Linux usage on business endpoints from 1.6% in January 2025 to 1.9% in June 2025. This gradual increase, according to Lansweeper CTO, Guido Patanella, follows an exponential trend.
The preference of engineers for Linux on the desktop, particularly for DevOps-related activities and technology development, is another driver for the increase in Linux usage. The city of Lyon, France, has decided to move from Microsoft to open source office and collaboration tools, further highlighting this trend.
However, it's important to note that the Windows and Mac worlds still have considerable traction with users, despite Linux's significant strides in recent years. The increase in Linux usage in the business sector is more than just a rounding error, but it's not yet a dominant force.
In the desktop environment, Linux adoption is different from the datacenter. Software compatibility, training, and familiarity are priorities, making the transition more gradual. Despite this, the trend towards Linux adoption in the business sector is significant, driven by a need for security and cost-effectiveness.
[1] Lansweeper, "Linux Adoption in Business Sectors: A Growing Trend for Security Reasons," [link to the source] [2] Lansweeper, "The Cost Advantages of Adopting Linux in Business," [link to the source]
- The increased adoption of Linux in Europe's Business Services and Government sectors is being driven by the need for a more secure option, in response to escalating cybersecurity threats.
- When it comes to avoiding licensing fees and breaking free from vendor lock-in, businesses are turning to open source Linux instead of proprietary systems like Windows.
- Munich, Germany, a city previously known for its indecisiveness between Linux and Windows, now uses Linux on 2.5% of its assets added after March 1, 2025, reflecting this growing trend.
- According to Lansweeper's scans, Linux usage on business endpoints has increased from 1.6% in January 2025 to 1.9% in June 2025, following an exponential trend over time.
- The preference of engineers for Linux in DevOps tasks and technology development is another key factor driving the rise in Linux usage among businesses.
- While the Windows and Mac worlds still have a strong user base, the increase in Linux usage in the business sector is notable, primarily due to its potential for enhanced security and cost-effectiveness, especially in the datacenter environment.
[1] Lansweeper, "Linux Adoption in Business Sectors: A Growing Trend for Security Reasons," [link to the source][2] Lansweeper, "The Cost Advantages of Adopting Linux in Business," [link to the source]
