Open Source
Software whose source code is publicly accessible and may be viewed, used, modified and redistributed by anyone.
Open source has fundamentally changed the software world. From Linux to WordPress to Kubernetes, many of the most successful technologies are open source. For companies it offers not only cost benefits but also transparency, flexibility and independence from single vendors. Strategic use requires understanding licences, community dynamics and support models.
What is Open Source?
Open source means software whose source code is publicly visible and released under a licence that explicitly allows use, copying, modification and redistribution. The Open Source Initiative (OSI) defines ten criteria a licence must meet. Important licence families are permissive (MIT, Apache 2.0, BSD), with few restrictions, and copyleft (GPL, AGPL), which require derivatives to stay open source. Open source is not the same as free of charge: many projects fund themselves via enterprise editions, support contracts and hosting.
How does Open Source work?
Open-source projects are developed on platforms like GitHub or GitLab. The community contributes via pull requests, reports bugs via issues and discusses features. Maintainers review and merge. Large projects have governance (e.g. foundations like Linux or Apache) that set direction. Companies can use open-source software freely but must comply with the licence, especially when distributing modified code.
Practical Examples
Linux: The most widely used server OS. Android is based on the Linux kernel. Over 90% of cloud servers run Linux.
WordPress: Open-source CMS powering over 40% of websites. Free to use with a huge plugin ecosystem.
Kubernetes: Developed by Google and released as open source. Today the standard for container orchestration, managed by the CNCF.
Odoo: Open-source ERP suite with over 12 million users. Community Edition is free; Enterprise is paid.
PostgreSQL: A leading open-source database, increasingly replacing commercial alternatives like Oracle.
Typical Use Cases
Infrastructure: Linux, Docker, Kubernetes and Terraform as the base of modern IT
Business software: ERP (Odoo), CMS (WordPress), CRM (SuiteCRM) as cost-effective solutions
Development tools: Git, VS Code, Node.js and Python as standard tools
Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB and Redis as powerful data solutions
Machine learning: TensorFlow, PyTorch and Hugging Face as the basis for AI projects
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Transparency: Source can be inspected, audited and checked for security
- No vendor lock-in: Independence from a single software vendor
- Cost savings: No licence fees for the software itself
- Community and innovation: Thousands of developers worldwide contribute
- Flexibility: Code can be adapted to your needs
Disadvantages
- Support: No guaranteed support as with commercial software (unless you buy enterprise)
- Licence complexity: Different licences (MIT, GPL, AGPL) have different obligations
- Security: Known vulnerabilities in popular libraries can be exploited (e.g. Log4j)
- Maintenance: Community projects can be discontinued or poorly maintained
Frequently Asked Questions about Open Source
Is open source free?
Which open-source licence should I choose?
Is open source secure?
Related Terms
Want to use Open Source in your project?
We are happy to advise you on Open Source and find the optimal solution for your requirements. Benefit from our experience across over 200 projects.