The stat everyone quotes, the context they skip

Short version: Linux won the web. Long version: the famous “96.3%” line is catchy, but modern data paints a smarter picture—one you can actually use for hosting decisions.
 

About that famous “96.3%” stat…

You’ve seen it: “96.3% of the top 1,000,000 websites use Linux.” Great hook, not great methodology. Today’s trackers show something more grounded: among sites where the OS is identifiable, Linux powers the clear majority, and if you group all Unix-like systems together (Linux, BSD, etc.), the share is roughly ~90%. Translation: the web runs on Linux—just don’t tattoo a meme number on your forehead.

So what? When you choose hosting, assume a Linux-first world. It’s where the tooling, docs, and community live.
 

 

Linux vs Windows: same finish line, different lanes

• Linux thrives with open stacks (PHP/NGINX, Node.js, Python), containers, and cloud automation.
• Windows is your friend for .NET/IIS/SQL Server and tightly coupled Microsoft workloads.

Most modern web apps lean Linux because it’s lighter, cheaper to scale, and plays nicely with DevOps pipelines. If you’re all-in on Microsoft, Windows still makes perfect sense.

So what? Hosting on Linux gives you the widest choice of frameworks and the smoothest path to CI/CD and containers.

Which Linux for hosting? Pick from the big three

• Ubuntu Server — cloud darling, huge docs, easy onboarding.
• Debian — minimal, ultra-stable, predictable upgrades.
• RHEL / Alma / Rocky — enterprise features, support, certifications.

So what? Start with Ubuntu for speed, Debian for “set and forget,” or RHEL family when procurement needs SLAs.

Who owns Linux—and why it’s free anyway

“Linux” is a trademark (owned by Linus Torvalds, managed via the Linux Foundation). The kernel is open source under GPLv2, which is why companies can use it at massive scale without licensing drama.

So what? No vendor lock-in, flexible architectures, happy finance team.

Global adoption: Linux is in your pocket

Remember: Android runs on the Linux kernel. Count billions of phones and Linux becomes the most widely deployed OS family on Earth. Windows still rules desktops—web servers and phones tip the scales for Linux.

So what? Skills learned on Linux pay off across cloud, servers, and even edge/mobile work.

Why servers love Linux: predictable, secure, fast

• Stability for long uptimes and rolling updates.
• Security via open review and fast patching.
• Performance with low overhead and tuned I/O.
• Containers first (Docker, Kubernetes) and sane package managers.

Pair that with a solid WAF/CDN and TLS, and you’ve covered 90% of web-grade resilience.

Harden your stack with EuroDNS Web Security Suite • Force HTTPS with our Redirect tool • Get the right SSL certificate

Bonus confidence: supercomputers run Linux

All the world’s top supercomputers run Linux. If it scales for climate models and AI training, it’ll handle your traffic spike on Black Friday.

Running Windows apps on Linux?

Possible with Wine and Proton (games). For production, containers or VMs are cleaner. On the server side, most web stacks don’t miss Windows binaries anyway.

Is Linux hard to learn now?

Not really. Modern distros, good defaults, and brilliant docs flattened the curve. Most DevOps/cloud courses assume Linux fluency because—real talk—you’ll need it.

Spin up WordPress on Linux hosting and practice the fun parts (deploys, backups, staging) instead of wrestling the OS.

Methods & caveats (read before citing)

• Identification bias: many sites mask OS; stats count the detectable slice.
• Unix ≠ Linux: some trackers group multiple Unix-likes—great for trend, fuzzy for precision.
• Scope drift: websites, domains, and web-facing computers are different denominators.
• Time-sensitive: quote a month/year when you cite market share.

FAQ

Do 96.3% of top sites use Linux?

Linux dominates, but the exact “96.3%” is an old, over-simplified claim. Current data shows a Linux majority among identifiable sites and ~90% for Unix-like systems overall.

Is Linux better than Windows for hosting?

For open stacks and containerized apps, yes—Linux usually wins on performance and TCO. If you need .NET/IIS/SQL Server, Windows is appropriate.

Which Linux distro should I choose?

Ubuntu for ease/speed, Debian for stability, RHEL/Alma/Rocky when you need commercial support.

Is Linux free to use?

Yes. The Linux kernel is licensed under GPLv2, allowing free use and modification within the license terms.

Why is Linux so popular on servers?

Stability, security, performance, and excellent support for containers and automation.

Next steps:launch on WordPress hosting, protect it with a WAF/CDN, add SSL, and force HTTPS. Buying a local domain? Try .fr, .de, or go global with .io.