5 reasons Linux is the most valuable software in the world (even though it's free)

Published Aug 27, 2026, 6:30 AM EDT Sydney Butler is a technology writer with over 20 years of experience as a freelance PC technician and system builder and over a decade as a professional writer. He's worked for more than a decade in user education. On How-To Geek, he writes commerce content, guides, opinions, and specializes in editing hardware and cutting edge technology articles. Sydney started working as a freelance computer technician around the age of 13, before which he was in charge of running the computer center for his school. (He also ran LAN gaming tournaments when the teachers weren't looking!) His interests include VR, PC, Mac, gaming, 3D printing, consumer electronics, the web, and privacy. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Research Psychology with a minor in media and technology studies. His masters dissertation examined the potential for social media to spread misinformation. Outside of How-To Geek, he hosts the Online Tech Tips YouTube Channel, and writes for Online Tech Tips, Switching to Mac, and Helpdesk Geek. Sydney also writes for Expert Reviews UK. He also has bylines at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, Tom's Hardware, MakeTechEasier, and Laptop Mag. Linus Torvalds created the Linux kernel and gave it away for free. Anyone can take it, change it, and do whatever they like with it, as long as the changes they make are also available for free to everyone else. Despite the fact that you can have Linux right now without paying anyone a cent, it's the backbone of a multi-billion dollar global market, and if you actually calculate its value in every area it's touched, it's probably far more valuable than we know. There are many reasons why this free and open-source software is worth so much despite having a price tag of zero, but I think these are the most important ones. Linux keeps the internet running You're probably using Linux right now The majority of web servers used by the public, most cloud infrastructure, and, of course, those new data centers everyone loves so much run on Linux. The Linux kernel is pretty bulletproof, and allows for servers to be updated and patched without even needing a restart in many cases. The fact that companies who run this infrastructure can customize Linux to their exact individual needs also has a lot to do with its popularity as the OS of choice if you want stuff to work, and keep working, while millions of people depend on the services that you provide. This means that even though you may have never tried a desktop flavor of Linux, you've almost certainly interacted with a Linux computer by simply using the internet. Android put Linux in billions of pockets Sneaking Linux into every nook and cranny While America sure does love the Apple iPhone, if you look at the world as a whole, you'll see that Android handsets are by far the most popular choice. It makes sense, since Android is designed to run on a wide range of hardware and that includes budget devices as well as high-end flagship phones. Android holds almost 70% of the global mobile OS market, but when you dig down to the open source heart of Android, you'll find the Linux kernel looking back at you. So think of all the change that smartphones have brought to the world, and the massive value it represents. I think it's fair to assign at least some of the credit to Linux for making that possible. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Brand Samsung SoC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Get the new Galaxy S26 Ultra with AI smarts and an all-new privacy display. It's big, powerful, packed with AI, and you'll love the S-Pen stylus. Display 6.9-inch Dynamic Super AMOLED 2X RAM 12 or 16 GB Storage 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB Battery 5,000 mAh Operating System Android Front camera 12MP f/2.2 Rear camera 200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawide, 10MP f/2.4 telephoto, 50MP f/2.9 telephoto Dimensions 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 in) Colors Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold Weight 214g Charge speed 60W wired Super Fast Charging, 25W wireless Stylus S-Pen Linux is the operating system of science and supercomputing It's unraveling the secrets of the universe as we speak Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | Marynova/Shutterstock There is no doubt that Linux rules the world of science. The open nature of Linux alone makes it attractive to big nonprofits like universities, because you can shape Linux into the very specific OS you need for your project. Likewise, if you want to build a supercomputer, Linux is the easiest path to creating something that will work with the specific architecture your supercomputer design needs. It's not that you can't use proprietary operating systems, it's just that you'd need the cooperation of whoever owns that operating system to make it work. Supercomputers need to squeeze every bit of performance out of their hardware they can, and using Linux as a basis before doing those hyper-specific optimizations just makes sense. Companies can build almost anything on Linux You have Linux boxes all over your house already! The Linux kernel is licensed under GPL v2, which has the very interesting provision that if you build a device that uses the Linux kernel, you are allowed to lock that device down so that people who buy it can't mess with it. While not everyone in the open source world is happy with this provision, it has meant that Linux has spread absolutely everywhere. That little emulation handheld system you see above runs Linux. Your router has a very good chance of being a Linux box. Small smart devices like IP security cameras can run Linux too. It means businesses can independently develop and maintain the OS software that runs their products, and never be dependent on any other company. Linux preserves knowledge that no company can take away Free and open forever! Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek By design, Linux is not owned or controlled by anyone. Linus Torvalds is the custodian of the Linux kernel and decides what code is integrated into future versions of it, but nothing stops anyone from simply forking the kernel and doing their own thing. Linux represents the sum knowledge and efforts of tens of thousands of people. It's a collective project that benefits all of us. It means we've had access to cheaper devices, better scientific projects that could move faster and cost less, and, of course, anyone who wants an operating system for their computer can have Linux for free right now. The Linux source code can be preserved, studied, copied, and otherwise exploited for any need. There's no reason to think that 1,000 years from now the AI superintelligences that will replace us all won't still be running Linux code somewhere deep in their electronic brains.