Do you know what the best operating system for gaming is? Everyone has a preference, plus some opinions on the alternatives, but which is best, really?

In this article, we take a look at the pros and cons of Windows, Mac, and Linux for gamers. We use two main metrics to compare the three operating systems: Game Selection and Performance.

By the end of this article, you’ll know the strengths and weaknesses of each of the options above. We'll also name which operating system we think is best for gaming...

Windows

PC game with windows gamebar showing
Image Credit: Microsoft.com

Let’s start with the most popular operating system out there. We have focused mainly on Windows 10, the latest version of this OS. There’s a reason Windows 10 is the most famous operating system for gaming. Let’s take a closer look at its pros and cons.

Game Selection

Windows 10 gives you the biggest range in game selection. Gaming platforms usually develop games for Windows by default. Therefore, Windows 10 has over 30,000 titles available for it on Steam alone.

Windows’ gaming features allow you to easily access games and mods. You can now completely tune out the background and hide notifications while in-game. These small details show you Microsoft put a lot of effort in to give you the best gaming experience possible.

PC players can integrate games with Xbox as well. The Xbox Game Pass gives you access to an ever-changing catalog of over 100 games, plus exclusive discounts and deals. See our guide to Xbox Game Pass for more information.

Performance

Gaming performance depends a lot on your computer’s specs. However, as we’re focusing on Windows 10, we’re not going to cover things related to your computer model. Remember, a good OS installed on a bad computer will leave you unhappy with your gaming sessions.

Windows 10 has been improving over the years. When it was first released, users were complaining about crashes and driver issues. Several major updates later and Windows 10 can run any game without problems.

Another advantage is DirectX 12. There is no other OS that supports it. This API is often used by gamers to get more from GPU and CPU chips.

Linux

Linux boasts different operating systems, all based on the Linux kernel. We don't recommend it for beginners, due to its complexity and lack of compatibility software. But if you’re a tech enthusiast, you’ll enjoy Linux’s powerful features and flexibility.

With regard to gaming, Linux lacks quality due to how niche it still is. The distro you choose makes a different too, with SteamOS obviously handling games better than distros not optimized for gaming.

There’s been a ton of improvements though and you can still enjoy your gaming sessions with Linux. Let’s take a closer look at its pros and cons.

Game Selection

Linux has come a long way in terms of gaming compatibility. Steam boasts more than 4,000 Linux-compatible games at the moment. Prior to wider Steam support, Linux users had to rely on Wine for their gaming sessions. This software allows you to run a Windows program in Linux. Otherwise, you’d have to wait for the launch of Linux games, which arrived infrequently.

Proton was also launched as a compatibility layer for Microsoft Windows games. This software is bundled with Steam and allows you to run almost any Steam games in Linux. Aside from Steam, you have other alternatives.

Origin Website Screenshot

EA's Origin was created for Windows and Mac, but also runs on Linux. GOG, which stands for Good Old Games, is a digital distribution platform for video games. It was also designed for Windows and Mac initially, but you'll find plenty of Linux-compatible games on the service too.

Performance

In terms of gaming performance, Linux is not far behind Windows. It often differs from game to game, but generally speaking, you can enjoy the same gaming experience on Linux that you’ll enjoy on Windows.

There is one crucial point to make though. Gaming platforms usually develop games for Windows by default. As Linux establishes itself as a gaming platform, development processes and performance will improve. The underlying components of this OS will also improve now that Linux is emerging as a gaming platform.

Mac

The gaming experience on macOS, on the other hand, has stayed much the same over the last few years. Although gaming platforms still support macOS, it seems gaming isn’t a priority for Apple. Let’s take a closer look at its features.

Game Selection

In terms of the selection of games available, Mac has about 7,000 Steam games supporting it. Aside from Steam, Blizzard’s platform officially supports this OS (in addition to Windows). So, there’s not a wide range of choices, but they're still high quality.

mac logo showing top left of gaming image

The main problem with this operating system is that there is almost no support to play games that aren’t designed to run on Mac. To do this, you must use Wine, which is the same resource used by Linux users years ago.

If your favorite games are the big releases from the big-name companies, you can use Mac for your gaming sessions. However, if you prefer to play the newest games from small developers, you won’t get much from this operating system.

Performance

The biggest disadvantage of Mac as an operating system to game on is the hardware. Apple is famous for making its computers compact and non-customizable. While this is a great branding move, it leaves you with no room for GPUs and user modification.

With that said, getting drivers and graphics cards are much easier on Mac than Linux. You won’t get a bad gaming experience with this OS, but you also won’t get the best.

Windows vs. Mac vs. Linux: The Winner

Windows 10 is our winner, with Linux as the runner-up, and Mac in last place. This is because Windows offers the widest range of options both in terms of gaming selection and performance. Its quality and reliability can’t be matched by anyone else in the market.

Linux deserves a lot of credit for the improvements made over the last few years. It will be interesting to see how far it will go as a gaming platform, and how Windows will respond to its growth.

Mac comes in last place because, while you can still enjoy your gaming sessions with this OS as long as you stick to the most famous games, if you venture away from the triple-AAA titles you may be disappointed.