Open source software (OSS) has transformed the way we approach technology and innovation. A friendly stranger on the internet once messaged me, “Why do you love open source software so much?” after I had posted a list of open source alternatives to proprietary platforms.
It made me realize that I had never publicly articulated why I’m so drawn to open source and its values. Here are some reasons why I love it:
1. Freedom and flexibility
Virtually all software is now advertised as “free,” but hardly ever is. I’m interested in “free as in freedom” software, rather than “free as in beer” software—often described as “libre” and “gratis,” respectively. Open source software respects users’ freedom and community.
This also means that OSS offers unparalleled flexibility. Users can modify the software to fit their specific needs, which is not possible with proprietary software. This freedom allows for customization and innovation, enabling users to create solutions tailored to their unique requirements.
2. Transparency
With open source software, the source code is available for anyone to inspect. This transparency builds trust, as users can verify the software’s security and integrity. Ironically, this means that users don’t need to simply “trust” that something is secure—instead, they can actually verify it.
Here’s an example: When you use proprietary software like WhatsApp (which is owned by Facebook), you need to “trust” that your texts, pictures, videos, and calls aren’t being read, stored, or monitored. This is because there’s no transparency in how WhatsApp works.
By contrast, if you use Signal, which is open source, you can actually verify that your communications are end-to-end encrypted, and your messages aren’t getting sent to weird places all over the world.
3. Security
While it might seem counterintuitive at first, open source software can be more secure than proprietary options. With the source code being transparent and available for anyone to inspect, this means that bugs and vulnerabilities are identified (and fixed) more quickly.
To be clear: open source software isn’t automatically more secure. It just can be, and often is, because the open nature of the code means that many eyes are on it, constantly checking for and addressing security issues. This collective scrutiny often leads to more robust security measures.
This proactive security approach is a huge advantage and differentiator in today’s ever-changing digital landscape.
4. Cost-effective
One of the biggest advantages of open source software is that it’s usually free to use. Depending on the software, all of it might be free. In other cases, it might not be totally free, but still far more generous than its proprietary counterparts.
This makes it an attractive option for individuals and businesses looking to cut costs without sacrificing quality. This allows you to access powerful tools and applications without the hefty price tag.
And even if price is not an issue, you can still try out the software to validate its features and functionality before adopting and committing to it.
5. Community support
OSS is backed by a vibrant community of developers and users. This community-driven approach means that support is often just a forum post or chat away. Users can share knowledge, solve problems collaboratively, and contribute to the software’s improvement.
Forum community support also means that questions and answers are usually indexed publicly and searchable, rather than trapped in a non-indexable and non-searchable black hole of information. This is an open source tenet.
6. Innovation
Open source fosters innovation by allowing developers to build upon existing projects. This collaborative environment encourages creativity and accelerates technological advancements. Many groundbreaking technologies have emerged from the open source community.
When we build in open source, we’re creating and building upon ideas at scale. It allows us to move faster, build together, spur new ideas, and advance humanity in all sorts of ways. It sounds dreamy, but it’s not. It’s very, very real.
7. Longevity and business continuity
Unlike proprietary software, open source software is less likely to become obsolete. Both open source and proprietary software can become discontinued at any time. However, in open source, even if the original developers stop working on it, the community can continue to maintain and improve the software. There are countless examples of this in the wild.
So whether you’re a solo founder or manage a global enterprise, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t have to migrate, have huge switching costs, or deal with other headaches that come when software you use gets discontinued.
Final thoughts
Open source software offers numerous benefits that make it a compelling choice for many users. Its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, community support, transparency, security, innovation, and longevity are just a few reasons why I love open source software.
