Operating Systems Global Market Report 2024

The operating systems market size has grown marginally in recent years. It will grow from $45.8 billion in 2023 to $46.67 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9%. The growth observed during the historical period can be attributed to factors such as the proliferation of personal computing, the advent of the mobile revolution, the expansion of gaming and entertainment industries, and the increasing prevalence of Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems.

The operating systems market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $50.69 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to several factors, including the continued development of cloud computing, the rise of edge computing, the increasing use of virtualization and containerization, and the prevalence of remote work and collaboration. Notable trends expected in this forecast period encompass enhanced cloud integration, updates in macOS, the evolution of server and cloud operating systems, the emergence of IoT operating systems, and the growing significance of edge computing operating systems.

The growth of the operating systems market has been significantly influenced by the increasing demand for computer systems. The surge in the adoption of computers has created a greater need for operating systems to efficiently manage tasks such as memory management, file handling, process management, input and output functions, and hardware control, including devices like printers and disk drivers. For example, data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reveals that the percentage of households in various countries with access to computers increased, such as in Mexico from 43.76% in 2020 to 44.82% in 2021, in South Korea from 71.63% in 2020 to 73.56% in 2021, and in Costa Rica from 50.52% in 2020 to 52.83% in 2022. Hence, the growing demand for computer systems has played a pivotal role in the expansion of the operating systems market.

The primary types of operating systems include Windows, macOS, Linux, and others. The Windows operating system functions as an interface connecting end users to computer hardware. Diverse OS products encompass Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS, and others, and they are employed in both computers and mobile devices. These operating systems are distributed through various channels, including business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) avenues.

The operating systems market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides operating systems market statistics, including operating systems industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an operating systems market share, detailed operating systems market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the operating systems industry. This operating systems market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The adoption of 5G networks featuring optimized high-speed connectivity is poised to be a driving force for the global operating system market in the future. 5G technology represents the fifth-generation cellular network standard designed to substantially increase transmission speeds to up to 20 Gbps, reduce latency, and enhance the flexibility of wireless services. The anticipated widespread deployment of 5G networks will lead to a rise in mobile devices capable of harnessing the improved speeds and reduced latency offered by 5G technology, thereby fueling the demand for operating systems tailored for high-speed connectivity. As an example, data from The Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) indicates that by the end of 2022, there were 1.15 billion 5G subscribers, marking a significant increase from 619 million in 2021, representing an 85.9% year-on-year growth. 5G subscriptions now constitute 10.7% of all global mobile subscriptions and are projected to reach 16% by the end of 2023, with 1.77 billion subscribers. Consequently, the adoption of 5G networks is a key driver for the growth of the operating system market.

The growing use of pirated versions of operating systems is anticipated to present a limitation to the growth of the operating systems market. Software piracy has been a persistent issue, impacting the revenues of software companies for many years. For instance, Microsoft's study in nine Asian countries revealed that more than 83% of new computers sold in those countries come pre-loaded with pirated software and malware. Additionally, data from BSA, the Software Alliance, indicates that around 74% of all commercial software used in China is pirated.

Major companies operating in the operating systems market are striving to gain a competitive edge by introducing innovative technologies in operating systems, such as HarmonyOS 4. HarmonyOS is a distributed operating system designed to enable seamless and efficient collaboration among devices. It is adaptable to various types of hardware and can function across a wide range of internet-connected devices, including smartphones, wearables, and televisions. For instance, Huawei unveiled the latest iteration of its mobile operating system, HarmonyOS 4, which includes features like a new app controller for enhanced security against malicious applications.

In September 2021, Woven Planet Holdings, Inc., a Japanese technology company, acquired Renovo Motors, Inc. This acquisition enhances Woven Planet's team with top-tier engineers who possess deep expertise in developing a complete software-defined vehicle infrastructure stack. It provides a platform and software proven to work across multiple original equipment manufacturer (OEM) platforms, aligning with the goal of establishing a hardware-agnostic operation. Renovo Motors, Inc. is a US-based automotive software company.

Major companies operating in the operating systems market include Microsoft Corporation, Apple Inc., Manjaro GmbH & Co KG, Canonical Ltd., Debian, IBM Corporation, SUSE, Google LLC, Red Hat Inc., Oracle Corporation, Vmware Inc., Citrix Systems Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co, Dell Technologies Inc., Lenovo Limited, Fujitsu Fujitsu, NEC Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Samsung Corporation, LG Corporation, Xiaomi Corporation, OnePlus Technology Co Ltd., Oppo, Vivo Communication Technology Co Ltd., Realme, ASUSTeK Computer Inc., Acer Inc., Micro-Star International Co Ltd., Gigabyte Technology, Intel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Nvidia Corporation

The Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the operating systems market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the operating systems market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the operating systems market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the operating systems market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada

The operating systems market includes revenues earned by entities by developing and distributing software programs enabling computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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