8 Compelling Reasons for Entrepreneurs to Embrace Open-Source Software

Open-Source Software
  • Ankit Patel Ankit Patel
  • October 22, 2018
  • 4 min read

The open-source software is a boon for the mid-sized and small businesses. The online communities are collaborating to make the open-source software better and bigger. With advancements in technology, proficient people are increasing the capabilities of open source software to make it as good as the paid alternative. This is a good step because this kind of contribution is for pure passion and a sense of community rather than for monetary incentive. There are many benefits that a business can gain from using open-source software.

What is open-source software?

When a copyright holder gives the right to everyone to make changes in the software, it becomes open source software. Basically, anyone can study, make changes, use, and distribute the software for any purpose.

How does open-source software gain by everyone making changes in it?

Herein lies the true power of open-source software. Many people with creative minds work on open-source software to make it better and better. It is this collaboration that has an added advantage to the open source software. The community formed of like-minded people is always open to new ideas and suggestions. They are always ready to work for any new functionality suggested by the users so that the product is improved.

Now, here comes the benefit of open source software and why entrepreneurs and startups have embraced it.

1. Flexibility
For any novice starting on computing, the open source software is a great way to learn and implement. A basic rudimentary knowledge of the software will suffice to know how and where it is to be implemented. A person with a good technical background can easily modify the existing open source software to suit his requirement. Also, the startups can make do with less of technical recruitment with open source software. Moreover, if one of the solutions does not work, there will always be another alternative. It is always easy to switch from one open source solution to another.

2. Interoperability
The open source software is easily adaptable to be integrated into another application. Since they are the open source formats, they are more compliant with the international official standards. So they are interoperable with various other formats. The problem with proprietary software is that it has numerous restrictions and integrating it with other software platforms will need alterations to be made by the owner.

3. Cost
The open source software is free to use. So the entrepreneur can always try it before he is sure of using it. Also, they can get the existing open-source software modified to meet their business requirements. With commercial software, the company has to incur expenses depending on the customization. Also, once done any further modification will need that they shell out extra money from their pocket.

4. Innovation
With the open source software, the team can bring out something creative or unique to deal with the challenges faced in the business. The solutions to every problem are readily available on the open platform. Also, any further queries can be asked in the community forums. The technical geeks are always forthcoming with the answers and the solutions.

5. Security
The open source software is frequently reviewed and changes are made whenever one exists. So any bugs are easily spotted and corrected within no time. This makes the open source software more secure and reliable. The problem with the proprietary software is that the solution to the bugs is at the mercy of the vendor. How good the company is in solving the bug and how fast is totally unpredictable. Moreover, in the case of commercial software, only the vendor and the hackers will know the vulnerabilities in it.

6. Freedom
The free open source software is free from any license issues or copyright complications. The users can freely download, use, modify or redistribute it without any legal consequences. They can decide what changes are to be made to suit their requirements. They can also request with the community members for any required solution.

7. Quality
The quality of the open source software is better than the paid versions. This is simple. The commercial software is designed to make profits. So the vendors will include only that software which is required by the clients. Whereas, the free open source software is open to all to develop it. The sense of community encourages everyone to contribute their bit in solving challenges and making it better software.

8. Community
The open source software is developed through a community that is actively involved to get the best out of it. The technical forum collaborates together with the goal of developing the most efficient software. With a community, the perks are that there is help whenever required. The best of the technical heads collaborate together to solve challenges. The community is constantly updating the software as and when new technologies are introduced. This makes the free open source software, the best in class with all the latest features and programs incorporated. The users just have to keep checking for updates and news about the free open source software and make changes as suggested in the platform.

In a Nut Shell
It is now time that the open source software has become the new norm. It is widely being accepted and used in the computing world. There are instances when the students have invented new things using the open source software as their primary computing tool. The popularity of commercial software is gradually waning and is now being used only for specialized and industrial tasks. It is thus advisable that the companies select the right combination of open source and commercial software to suit their business requirements. It will not be long before the open-source software completely overshadows the commercial software.

About: Ankit Patel

Ankit Patel is a Director of Sales & Marketing at XongoLab Technologies LLP and PeppyOcean, A leading mobile app development companies. In his free time, He likes to write articles about technology, marketing, business, web, and mobile. His articles featured on YourStory, E27, Datafloq, JaxEnter, TechTarget, eLearningAdobe, DesignWebKit, InstantShift, Business Magazine, SimpleProgrammer, and many more.

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