Advantages & Disadvantages of Open Source Software, Explained!
By: Megha Verma
Tags: Open Source Software, Software, Software Development, Open Source

Source: Google

The introduction of a new software demands an answer to the ultimate question — Commercial software or Open Source. Selecting apt software does have repercussions (long-term), hence should be slogged prudently. Having said that, let’s show you how to combat this concern of selecting the best software, and discover the best solution for a successful deal.

How is ‘Open Source Software’ Defined?

Open Source Code aka OSS is aptly defined as the software that is freely and publicly available for the users. One can alter it as per their necessities, including viewing, editing, and modifying. Also, it costs you nothing, until and unless you wish to experience the ‘Enterprise Versions’ deploying ‘exclusive features’ and ‘extensive support.’

Open Source Software has been in utilization for years, permitting the users the freedom to use the software. Some big names are on the list who have been experiencing its pluses. A few are Apache, Linux, Android, Mozilla Firefox, LibreOffice.

“Open source software has the power to change the world.” — Peter Lilley, CEO, Instaclustr

Specifics to Utilize Open Source

Abundant reasons make OSS indispensable for all. The crucial ones are ‘freedom from cost’ and ‘freedom to alter.’ Furthermore, the technical abilities, competitive features, robust support, and quality software are some other reasons to contemplate Open Source’s utilization. Excellent capabilities to ‘customize and fix’ is also another prime motive behind its constant utilization.

75% of companies use open source — and, that’s a huge figure that relies on Open Source. The other drive to utilize OSS at such an accelerated rate is that it doesn’t just limit to free modification and utilization; its benefits go beyond just free alteration. OSS allows quick bug fixing, studying software’s source code, and releasing the updated version too. Big dominators, including Facebook and Google, utilize Open Source.

Why is Open Source Software a Better Deal than Commercial?

Reasons Why Open Source Software is a Better Deal than Commercial.

Open Source Software deploys solutions, including stability, high performance, amplified security level, and high-end source code. Security gaps, in case, are discovered and deciphered swiftly. It is backed by a gigantic community as well.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Open Source Software

Heard about ‘two sides of the coin?’ That goes the same for the Open Source Software too. This technology steps in the processes with its own positives and negatives.

Let’s explore both one by one.

Positives of Open Source Software

· Boosts Innovation

· High-end reliability

· Cultivates Better Learning

· Simple Bug Removal and Tracking

1. Boosts Innovation

Advancement in technology and the internet has initiated innovation. That can be said about this technology too. In fact, the open source software lends a platform, which is utilized by both the newbies and the pros. Hence, OSS doesn’t require a specific experience to operate; it is unbiased.

Investing in Open source software encourages learning, productivity, and results in the positive growth of the software. Open Source Software ‘ is open to the users’ fosters the culture of sharing and caring. Besides, there is barely any restriction on operating the source code or applying any modifications too.

If still, you doubt if this technology is meant for you or not, reading these big names would probably clear all your doubts. Apache HTTP, Mozilla Firefox, Cloudera, Docker, Google, GitHub, and many other big names rely on open-source software.

2. High-End Reliability

Open source software’s reliability can be defined by the efficiency of the software to serve the prerequisite specifications. If any software or technology is able to deliver what’s in the specs, then, one can highly rely on it.

Does the open source system identify the faults in the process? Does OSS have the potential to avoid, solve, or improve the processes to the maximum? If the answer to these queries is positive, congrats, you have relied on apt technology. OSS identifies the issues in the processes, even prevents and improves reliability.

Comprehending the fact that OSS is analyzed and managed by innumerable experts, it is hard to witness any fault that can’t be fixed. Doesn’t that make it a pretty trustworthy software?

‘Open Source Software’ is the efforts of talented and skilled professionals. They adore serving the community, and that’s the purpose behind developing an OSS. Hence, there is a zilch chance of it being low-quality. Just imagine hundreds of experts contributing to building software — how innovative and extraordinary it would be? Open Source Software is highly reliable, though.

3. Cultivates Better Learning

Open Source Software is an outcome of collective contribution. Direct support and authentic feedback on the source code can be expected, especially when hundreds of experts are functioning in such an open environment. Connoisseurs appreciate and positively implement feedback, suggestions, and genuine advice. That, altogether, promotes better learning.

How does it help users? Well, even users tend to experience considerable support in the shape of tutorials, live sessions, constant chat support, discussions, and even blogs and articles. Open-source software’s candidness is highly appreciable, as such an open environment initiates a learning culture — where knowledge is shared and accepted.

There is a scope for everyone to grow with Open Source Software. When you know your feedback is addressed, appreciated, and considered, it becomes a two-way communication, resulting in a positive learning environment.

4. Simple Bug Removal & Tracking

Again, there is a positive involvement of pioneers from across the globe. That blurs the chances of bugs and issues in the software. Since experts are already analyzing and fixing all bugs, issues, and faults — there is a zilch chance of experiencing it.

It is just a matter of a few hours for these connoisseurs to fix the bugs and run the software as smoothly as silk. What else? There is barely any hassle of fixing bugs or facing any major issue when utilizing this software. Specialists not only fix the bugs and faults but also report to the maintainers, in case of the latest updates.

Open Source Software is independent, high-quality, stable, secure technology to invest in. These were some notable advantages of utilizing Open Source Software. Now, let’s explore the other side of the coin.

Negatives of Open Source Software

Slightly Risky

Lower customized support

Not user-friendly

Nonexistence of extensive tech support

1. Slightly Risky

That can be said about every technology, though. There is a minimum risk involved in all technologies and software. The point is, how well the flaws are dealt with. Just give it a thought, ‘releasing your source code for everyone across the world.’ Doesn’t that bring certain disadvantages to the table? It invites vulnerability — at such a higher pace, that can be uncontrollable at one point.

Open Source Software is accessible to all means it can be used and misused. And, that’s where it turns unconstructive for us. With OSS, we can expect harm, virus transfer, identity burglary, and many other malicious practices to hurt the process.

2. Lower Customized Support

There is no documentation of the code in the open-source code. Hence, that can pose difficulty for the user to completely understand it. The users can, freely, modify, edit, and upgrade the software based on their requirements and understanding. That’s pretty much concerning.

3. Not User-Friendly

The slighter attention paid to GUI or the Graphical User Interface creates a drawback for the open-source software users. Non-technicians might not feel comfortable with OSS due to the GUI being ineffective. Such inefficiency might demand special team training to fasten up every new release of the software’s programs.

GUI’s inefficiency might even plea software development firms to develop an appropriate GUI for further integration. That will cost time, efforts, and money — as without a proper GUI, the progression remains inadequate. While technical professionals might adjust to this inadequacy, it would be slightly exasperating for the non-technical to find the apt solution for the same.

4. Nonexistence of Extensive Tech Support

Let’s be honest, there is no promise by the community for an instant solution or 24x7 support, in case the fault ascends. So, you might have to wait for a response from the community in case of an issue. The community is getting nothing in return to offer solutions to the software users. Why would they be so interested in assisting anyone, if nothing really paybacks them? However, not everyone believes in the same. Eventually, it depends on their willingness to serve the users.

An alternative solution for this issue would be to hire your own dedicated team to manage the software.

- Since constant development is obligatory, you will have to invest in a dedicated team for working it through.

- Additional cost needs to be incurred here for utilizing the open-source software fully.

The Takeaway Message

It’s, undoubtedly, a pretty smart move to invest in open-source software. That comes with a ton of advantages, including low-cost investment, better innovation, smarter learning, and easy bug removal tracking, and more. However, open-source software carries certain disadvantages as well, including no constant support, slighter riskiness, and non-friendly nature of the software.

However, no technology has ever been so unflawed, that it doesn’t impact the process or outcomes. Why people go gaga over OSS or any other technology is because it brings in some novel, innovative, creative, modern solutions. Most of the negatives of Open Source Software can be dealt with if you hire a dedicated team for managing the processes. Hence, this technology can be highly relied on.