Top OS Choices for Software Developers

A comparison of the most popular operating systems favored by software developers for their diverse needs and ecosystems.

The top 3

Windows' Enduring Developer Base: Windows remains the most used operating system among developers, with 59.2% using it for personal development and 47.6% for professional work in 2024, according to a Stack Overflow survey.
macOS's Growing Developer Appeal: macOS is a popular choice for developers, particularly for those working on Apple-related projects and mobile app development, with 31.8% adoption for both personal and professional use in 2024.
Linux as the Open-Source Powerhouse: Linux is a critical OS for many developers, especially in web development, DevOps, and open-source projects, with Ubuntu being the dominant distribution at 27.7% adoption for both personal and professional use in 2024.