[darkwizard42]

It’s because no one (mainstream) uses Linux. Developers make these projects and still want lots of users and people to find use in the products.

Developing for Linux leaves you with a smaller range of users than Windows and Mac.

[geerlingguy]

Smaller group and often less willing to put out cash for it (besides the few who would be willing to pay substantially more to get great applications on Linux).

[coolyd]

This was the belief for a while, but it seems that isn't totally true.

https://www.compoundtheory.com/some-arguments-against-linux-...

https://blog.hiri.com/a-year-on-our-experience-launching-a-p...

"Pricing wise, we haven’t noticed anything that distinguishes Linux users from everyone else. They are no more cost conscious than Mac / Windows users. They are definitely willing to pay for software."

As an on-again/off-again linux user, I have paid for software or donated to many projects and it seems others are willing to do the same, however it is still a much much smaller group.

[pmontra]

I know many developers working on Linux laptops (web backends.) I do since 2009. Would I develop some GUI tool with the aim to sell it? No chance. Gnome or KDE, apt, yum, flatpack, snap, etc? No thank you. I take what's available and that's it. Ubuntu has proven for 11 years that's more than enough to give me a desktop I like (currently a heavily customized Gnome Shell) and pay my bills.