How it works
Strictly, Linux is the kernel, started by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and released under the GPL licence. A distribution (distro) packages it with system tools, a package manager and usually a desktop: Ubuntu and Debian use apt and .deb packages, Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux use dnf and .rpm, Arch uses pacman. GNOME and KDE Plasma are the main desktop environments.
Linux dominates servers, containers and the cloud, which is why web back ends and Docker images are almost always Linux. Android and ChromeOS are built on the Linux kernel, and Valve's Steam Deck runs a Linux-based system. On the desktop it is popular with developers, and it runs well on old hardware and small boards such as the Raspberry Pi.
For desktop app makers it is a fragmented target: several package formats (deb, rpm, AppImage, Flatpak, Snap), different desktops, and the move from the X11 display system to Wayland, which changes how screen capture, global shortcuts and window positioning work. Tauri apps use WebKitGTK here. There is no central code-signing scheme; repositories sign packages instead.
Linux pros and cons
Pros
- Free to use, change and redistribute, with no licence fees
- Runs most servers and cloud machines, so development can match production
- Runs well on old or low-powered hardware, from laptops to Raspberry Pi boards
- Strong command-line tools and full control over the system
Cons
- Smaller desktop audience, and many commercial apps have no Linux version
- Many distributions and package formats to support for a desktop app
- Some Wi-Fi, fingerprint and graphics hardware needs extra driver work
- Some games with anti-cheat software do not run
When to use Linux
Pick it when
- Servers, containers and cloud hosting
- Developer machines that should match the production environment
- Kiosks, embedded devices and reviving older computers
Skip it when
- You depend on Windows- or Mac-only software such as Microsoft Office or Adobe apps
- Users expect every app and device to work with no setup at all
Linux pricing
Open source
Free. Paid support exists, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Ubuntu Pro (free for personal use on up to 5 machines, about $25 a year per company workstation).
Linux pricing page (opens in a new tab)Approximate, checked September 2026.What the other tools cost
Linux vs the alternatives
Related terms
More in Desktop apps
Operating systems