Open source vs closed source: Which is right for you?

In a world of constant flux, businesses must find better digital solutions to maximize productivity and improve business efficiency to save the bottom line. But often, business leaders face dilemmas while choosing IT solutions.

‘Should we go with open source software or closed source?’ — this question is a conundrum. To help you make an informed decision, here is a brief guide that will help you understand the differences between the two software solutions.

Open Source Software

In recent years, Open Source Software (OSS) has gained immense popularity. As the name suggests, the source code of OSS is accessible to all, free of cost. Anyone can use, modify, and distribute it, allowing every user to share the benefits. The hallmark of OSS is that the code is secure and stable. With OSS, a large user community voluntarily works on improving the code, finding and fixing bugs quickly. This is one major reason people prefer OSS, as it allows more control.  Some of the popular open-source software solutions are Kubernetes, Firefox, Python, MySQL and WordPress. Most of these software are supported by big tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and others. For example, Google made a significant contribution to the OSS operating system, Android.

The prime benefit of OSS is its affordability. Most open-source IT solutions are free to use as there are no licence fees. Even those that charge some fees are a fraction compared to proprietary software. Any small enterprise can afford these solutions to improve their business. Furthermore, as there are no restrictions on code modifications, a developer or a business can customize the open-source software to create unique solutions for their requirements. Another benefit is the transparency of the OSS. A user can see how the code works, what data it collects, the modifications that took place, and more. Any misuse can be flagged in the community, and appropriate measures will be taken.

On the downside, many inexperienced in IT training find setting up and configuring an open source software complex, unlike a closed source one. A lack of user-friendly design is the prime reason and the involvement of many technicalities. Also, the unavailability of professional support makes it even harder to work on OSS.

Closed Source Software

‘Closed’ in the name suggests that closed source software or CSS does not allow the public to access its code. It has proprietary licenses that restrict source code editing only to the individual or the organisation that created the CSS. Only those with authorised permissions from the CSS publisher can use the software but cannot alter the source code. Some examples of closed-source software are macOS, Microsoft Windows, Shopify, Zoom, and Google Earth. 

Compared to open-source software, operating CSS is simple. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) in CSS makes it highly user-friendly. Secondly, it is feature-rich. Closed-source software products are generally feature-rich and come with advanced proprietary software. Some products are specific to niche industries. Lastly, when compared to OSS, closed source are highly secure. As OSS source code is accessible to all, individuals with malicious intent can create harmful code, but that is not possible with CSS. The proprietary holders control the code and regularly update the software, ensuring better security.  

CSS has its own set of drawbacks. As it is a proprietary product, it comes with a hefty price. The license fees combined with maintenance costs are on the higher side compared to OSS. Scalability is another issue with CSS. A user becomes dependent on the vendor for adding more features or increasing capacity. Also, there is minimal customisation with CSS. Lastly, there is a lack transparency as users cannot see the data the software is collecting and its usage.

Open Source vs. Closed Source — Which One is Right for You? 

When choosing IT solutions, the consideration for any enterprise revolves around cost and service. If affordability is your concern and managing technicalities is not a problem, OSS is the best choice. It is scalable, reliable, and customisable. 
If your preference is service and affordability is a non-issue, closed-source software is the best. You can choose software services that suit your requirements, can avail technical support, possess advanced features, and are more secure and user-friendly. 
Open source and closed source have their share of pros and cons. But while choosing a software solution, evaluate your needs and deliverables of the software. This way, you can make the right choice. 

Laduram Vishnoi

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Laduram Vishnoi, Founder and CEO at Middleware.io (YC W23).