Introduction: Linux Is Everywhere (Even If You Don’t See It)
If you’re reading this article on a website, there’s a very high chance that the server delivering this page is running Linux. If you use Android, you’re already using Linux. If you stream movies, store photos in the cloud, or deploy applications online, Linux is working quietly in the background.
But what exactly is Linux?
Why do developers, companies, and enterprises trust Linux so much?
And how many servers in the world actually use Linux today?
In this article, we’ll break it all down in a simple, relaxed, and beginner-friendly way—no unnecessary jargon, just practical explanations.
What Is Linux?
At its core, Linux is an open-source operating system.
More accurately, Linux is a kernel, which is the core part of an operating system that manages hardware resources like CPU, memory, storage, and networking. When combined with tools, libraries, and software, it becomes a complete operating system—commonly called a Linux distribution or distro.
Some popular Linux distributions include:
- Ubuntu
- Debian
- CentOS / AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
- Arch Linux
- Fedora
Unlike Windows or macOS, Linux is free and open source, meaning anyone can view, modify, and distribute its source code.
A Brief History of Linux
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a Finnish computer science student who wanted a free Unix-like operating system for personal use.
What started as a small hobby project quickly evolved into a global collaboration. Developers from around the world began contributing code, fixing bugs, and improving performance. Today, Linux is maintained by thousands of developers and supported by major companies like Google, Amazon, IBM, Red Hat, and Microsoft.
Yes—even Microsoft uses Linux now.
Why Linux Is Different From Other Operating Systems
1. Open Source Philosophy
Linux follows the open-source philosophy, which means:
- No vendor lock-in
- Transparent development
- Strong community support
- Faster innovation
Anyone can audit the code for security, customize it, or build their own distribution.
2. Stability and Reliability
Linux systems are famous for running for years without rebooting.
This stability is one of the main reasons Linux dominates servers, data centers, and critical infrastructure. When downtime means losing money, Linux becomes the obvious choice.
3. Security by Design
Linux has a strong security model:
- Proper file permissions
- User privilege separation
- SELinux and AppArmor
- Rapid security updates
Because Linux is open source, vulnerabilities are often discovered and patched faster than in closed-source systems.
4. Lightweight and Efficient
Linux can run:
- On powerful enterprise servers
- On old laptops
- On tiny embedded devices
- On cloud instances with minimal resources
You can install Linux without a graphical interface, saving RAM and CPU—perfect for servers.
Why Linux Is the King of Servers
1. Linux Is Built for Networking
Linux was practically designed for the internet. It handles:
- TCP/IP networking
- Firewalls (iptables, nftables)
- Load balancing
- Routing
This makes Linux ideal for:
- Web servers
- Mail servers
- Database servers
- Proxy servers
- VPN servers
2. Perfect for Web Servers
The most popular web servers in the world run on Linux:
- Apache
- Nginx
- LiteSpeed
Linux + Nginx or Apache is a classic combination that powers millions of websites.
3. Cloud and Container Dominance
Modern infrastructure runs on Linux:
- Docker containers
- Kubernetes clusters
- Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Even if you deploy an application on a managed cloud service, behind the scenes it’s almost always Linux.
4. Automation and DevOps Friendly
Linux works perfectly with:
- Bash scripting
- Python
- Ansible
- Terraform
- CI/CD pipelines
This is why DevOps engineers and system administrators love Linux—it’s automation heaven.
How Many Servers in the World Use Linux?
Now to the big question.
The Short Answer
Approximately 70–90% of all servers worldwide run Linux.
The exact number depends on how you measure it (web servers, cloud servers, enterprise servers, or supercomputers).
Web Servers
Studies consistently show that:
- Over 80% of web servers run on Linux
- The remaining share is mostly Windows Server
If you look at the top 1 million websites, Linux overwhelmingly dominates.
Cloud Infrastructure
Public cloud platforms rely almost entirely on Linux:
- AWS: Linux is the default
- Google Cloud: Linux-first
- Microsoft Azure: More than half of workloads run Linux
Even Microsoft officially reports that Linux runs a majority of workloads on Azure.
Supercomputers
According to the TOP500 list:
- 100% of the world’s top supercomputers run Linux
There is no competition here—Linux is the only choice.
Enterprise and Data Centers
Large companies use Linux for:
- Databases
- ERP systems
- Internal applications
- Virtualization platforms
While Windows Server still exists in enterprise environments, Linux continues to grow faster every year.
Why Companies Choose Linux Over Windows Server
Cost Efficiency
Linux is free. Even enterprise versions cost significantly less than proprietary licenses.
Customization
Companies can:
- Strip unnecessary components
- Harden security
- Optimize performance
- Build custom kernels
Try doing that with closed-source software.
Vendor Independence
Linux allows companies to avoid being locked into a single vendor. They can migrate between cloud providers or on-premise infrastructure with minimal friction.
Common Myths About Linux
“Linux Is Hard to Use”
Not anymore.
Modern Linux distributions are user-friendly, and server management tools have improved massively. If you can use a terminal and follow documentation, you’re good to go.
“Linux Has No Support”
Linux has:
- Massive community support
- Professional enterprise support (Red Hat, Canonical, SUSE)
- Tons of documentation
Support is not a problem—it’s a strength.
“Linux Is Only for Developers”
Linux is used by:
- Developers
- Sysadmins
- DevOps engineers
- Cloud architects
- Enterprises
- Governments
It’s not a niche OS—it’s the backbone of modern IT.
Should You Learn Linux Today?
Absolutely.
If you are interested in:
- Web hosting
- Cloud computing
- Cybersecurity
- DevOps
- System administration
Then Linux is a must-have skill.
Even basic Linux knowledge gives you a massive advantage in the tech industry.
The Future of Linux
Linux is not slowing down. In fact, it’s growing faster than ever thanks to:
- Cloud-native technologies
- Containers and Kubernetes
- Edge computing
- IoT devices
- AI and machine learning infrastructure
Linux isn’t just the present—it’s the future.
Linux Quietly Runs the World
Linux may not always be visible on your desktop, but it powers:
- Most websites
- Almost all cloud infrastructure
- Every supercomputer
- Millions of servers worldwide
Its stability, security, flexibility, and open-source nature make Linux the undisputed king of servers.
If you’re serious about technology, servers, or cloud computing, understanding Linux is no longer optional—it’s essential.