The Operating System (OS) is software that manages all of the hardware and software on a computer. It coordinates the needs of different applications and the capabilities of the various pieces of hardware on a computer, such as the Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and storage. Without an Operating System, the software and hardware cannot function. Operating Systems exist on nearly all computing devices, including mobile devices, tablets, Personal Computer (PC), and servers. Apple iOS and Google Android dominate Mobile Operating System (mobile OS) market share and Tablet Operating System Market Share. Microsoft Windows and Linux have most of the Server Operating System market share. Red Hat Linux represents most of the Linux market share in the server market. The PC, or desktop computer, market share is composed of different Microsoft Windows versions, including Windows 10 market share, Windows 7 market share, and even Windows XP market share. There are many other operating systems for different types of devices, like vehicle infotainment system operating systems and IoT operating systems. This article provides statistics for all operating systems on all devices combined. T4 provides breakouts of Operating System market share by device type in separate articles and in the T4 platform. You can find Operating System Market Size, Operating System Market Share, and other trends and statistics below, and you can get help with additional Operating System industry market research here.
The chart shows the global Operating System - OS Market Size from 2018 to 2021. In 2020, the size of the Operating System Industry was $37B and is projected to grow 2% in 2021. From 2018 to 2021, the Operating System Industry growth is forecast to average 2% per year (CAGR). These estimates were made before the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The short term impact of COVID-19 on the OS market growth will likely be Medium because Operating Systems are often bundled with computing devices. Consumer and enterprise device purchases may be delayed or reduced during the pandemic. The long term impact of COVID-19 on the OS market growth beyond the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be Low because Operating Systems are essential to computing. Request help with obtaining the source for this data and additional Operating System industry market research here.
The chart shows the Operating System Market Share as defined by install base in 2019. Install base refers to the number of devices in operation. The Operating System Market is composed of operating systems from three companies and a long tail of other Operating System vendors. The leading Operating System in the OS Industry was Android with 39% global Operating System market share in 2019. Android is the leading mobile operating system. Android's Operating System market share is followed by Windows 10 with 21% OS market share, Windows 7 with 11%, market share, Windows 8 with 2% OS market share, Apple iOS with 14% share, Apple OS X with 7%, and Other OS’s with 5% OS market share. Linux market share is less than 1% and is accounted for in the Other OS segment. Combining Window 10 market share, Windows 7 market share, Windows 8 market share, and Windows XP market share gives us Microsoft Windows market share, which is 36% of the OS market. Apple's total OS market share was 21% in 2019. Get help with market research for the Operating System - OS market, including the source for this Operating System - OS Market Share chart and other data here.
Operating System market growth depends heavily on device shipments and OS pricing strategies. The leading driver of changes in operating system market share, adoption, and growth is how operating systems bundle with sales of desktop computers, smartphones, tablets, and servers. Microsoft Windows was the dominant operating system until the rise of smartphones, tablets and Android. Google's Android OS is free. Android became the OS market share leader after smartphones gained widespread consumer adoptions and after launching on a smartphone in 2008. Google's free operating systems (Chrome OS and Android) and availability of cheaper laptops has forced Microsoft to rethink its Windows Operating System pricing strategy to continue to keep its OS market share. As most device shipment growth has slowed, price increase and optimized price segmentation are an attractive way for paid Operating Systems to achieve revenue growth.
The Operating System market is a Mature market composed of three leading vendors and a long tail of competitors. Google Android market share market share was 39% of the Operating System market in 2019. Android shipped on a smartphone for the first time in 2008. Since then, the open-source, free, Android Operating System became the leading Operating System on tablets and smartphones. Microsoft Windows market share was 36% of the OS market in 2019. Windows market share traditionally leads the desktop computer operating system market and the server operating system market. Microsoft struggled to gain smartphone and tablet market share with Windows. Of its desktop operating systems, Windows 10 market share leads the pack, followed by Windows 7 market share, Windows 8 market share, and Windows XP market share. Apple market share was 21% of the OS market in 2019. Unlike Microsoft, Apple extended its operating system market share position by retaining tablets market share and smartphone market share despite competition. Other OS market share was 5% of the OS market in 2019. Linux market share of the server OS industry is nearly 34% share, however, servers are a small fraction of all computing device shipments. Therefore Linux Operating System market share is in the "Other OS" segment. Some additional Operating Systems under the Other OS market share figure include Google Chrome, BlackBerry OS, Symbian OS, Series 40 (Nokia Operating System), Tizen, and Huawei's HarmonyOS.
T4's research team can help you learn more about the Operating System - OS industry with market analysis, competitive analysis, commercial Due Diligence, and other market research needs. This includes a more in-depth analysis of competitors in the Operating System market, including Apple, Red Hat, Google, Microsoft, Huawei, and a long tail of other companies with niche operating systems. T4 researches related topics such as Enterprise Software, Mobile Operating System (Mobile OS), Server Operating System (Server OS), Desktop Operating System (Desktop OS), Application Development & Deployment, System Infrastructure, Smartphones, Personal Computers (PC), Servers, Storage, Information Technology (IT), and many other industries. T4 offers additional support in the Technology Sector and other Sectors. Find more information about T4's services here.
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