Is Linux Really That Good for Developers?

Is Linux Really That Good for Developers?

Well… it depends on what you’re developing. Obviously, if you're a hardcore PowerShell dev, then no—Linux isn't exactly going to roll out the red carpet for you.

But what about web development? That’s where the holy trinity comes in: Windows, Linux, and macOS. Let’s break it down.

The Case of Microsoft

Now, unless you're only living inside VS Code and clicking your way through life, Windows can get real annoying. I don't know if you’ve ever had to mess around deeply with GPU drivers, library dependencies, or anything vaguely related to Linux-native toolchains—but if you have, you know Windows isn’t exactly your bestie here.

Yes, technically, you can do “everything” with enough tweaking. But it’s like trying to run a marathon with flip-flops: technically doable, just not smart. And no, WSL does not count. That’s cheating. This blog isn’t about finding the best all-in-one compromise machine—it’s about the native dev experience.

Then There Were Two: macOS vs Linux

Alright, now it’s down to macOS or your friendly neighborhood Linux distro.

Let’s talk about macOS first. If you're into web dev, there’s a high chance you’ll eventually dip your toes into mobile. And guess what? The big ol' Apple will force you to buy a Mac to run iOS stuff. (Unless, of course, you're using something like Expo Go with React Native, which kinda sidesteps the need.)

That said, a Mac actually isn’t a terrible dev machine. Homebrew gives you a decent package manager, the terminal is solid, and let’s be real—the M-series chips are beasts. Battery life? Amazing. Portability? Great. Performance? Surprisingly good, even for heavier workloads. I hate to admit it, but recommending a Mac for dev is becoming harder and harder to argue against.

And Finally… Linux

Ah, Linux. The dev darling. Open-source everything, endless customization, and no unnecessary fluff. If you're building back-end services, APIs, running containers, or working on stuff that’s gonna end up on a Linux server anyway—it makes sense to build it on Linux too.

But let’s not pretend it’s all roses. Depending on your distro, you might spend more time tinkering than coding. Missing drivers, weird errors after updates, and forum rabbit holes are part of the experience. It's the price of freedom, I guess.

That said, if you're not scared of getting your hands dirty—and your workflow doesn’t rely on proprietary tools—Linux is powerful, clean, and very satisfying to work with.

So… Who Wins?

If you’re doing general web dev, want some flexibility, and like working in a clean UNIX-like environment without the pain of Linux quirks, Mac is honestly the easiest choice.

But if you’re more backend-focused, already deep into the open-source world, or just enjoy total control over your environment, Linux will feel like home.

And if you’re still developing entirely on Windows… are you okay?