The Biggest Benefit From Open Source

The biggest benefit from open source goes a lot deeper than you might think at first glance. It's not just the immediate cost savings, although they are a factor. The biggest benefit from using open source software is independence and freedom.

So why is freedom the most important benefit?

Because freedom includes, most importantly from a business standpoint, independence from software vendors. When you purchase software owned by one vendor, you are tied to that vendor for as long as you use the software. They can make you buy upgrades that you may not need or what in order to continue to get support. In the open source world, though, there is support through the open source community and third party companies as long as there is a demand for it.

Competition won't be cropping up against your proprietary software vendor for support and upgrades, either, so they've got you hooked. If you are using Windows XP, you have to pay to upgrade to a newer version once Microsoft stops supporting for XP. No one else is allowed to come along, examine the source code, and create security upgrades long after the proprietary software maker has left.

This is especially important for any business or IT department. Purchasing proprietary software locks you in to that vendors services. If prices increase for upgrades, then you don't have much choice when it your support runs out. With open source, though, anyone can provide upgrades or continue supporting a software implementation - they can pick apart the source code freely, keeping the barriers to competition low, just like your costs.