The software comes in two major types - open source and closed source.
Of course, the two have lots of differences in various aspects.
Read ahead!
In this technology era, we need to have a basic knowledge of how the software works. And when it comes to choosing (be it for personal or professional use) software, we have two choices - one is open source, and the other one is closed source. In this article, let's have a look at some of the most important differences between them.
First, we have to understand what open source and closed source software mean.
Open source software is one such computer software that the general public can access and use, free of charge. Also, the source code is available on the internet, which can be viewed, shared, or modified by other users/organizations.
Examples: MySQL, Moodle, Firefox, etc.
Closed source software, as the name suggests, is computer software that's not available for the common public to use. It's usually distributed under a licensing agreement and is available to use within a particular organization. So, no one except that organization can change or modify the source code ever.
Examples: Java, Skype, Microsoft Office, etc.
Pricing is different
Open source software is usually free. But in the long run, it has costs for innovation, implementation, infrastructure, and more. Also, you have to pay for several additional services as well.
Closed source software comes with a price, which depends on the complexity of the system. It includes services, integration, as well as licensing fees. However, you can always opt for a free trial to understand if the software is perfect or not.
Closed source software provides better service
For open source software, there's an online user community that provides services via blogs. But this is not available always and makes you wait for a long time.
Closed source software has an organized and dedicated team to help its consumers. If something goes wrong, all you need to do is submit your queries, and be sure to get an immediate response.
Open source software has a security concern
Open source software is not developed in a secure environment. Also, as it's available on the internet, the source code can be easily invaded by hackers.
Closed source software is usually created in a controlled environment. The source code is not easily available, which reduces security risks significantly.
So, which is better?
As open source software costs less, it's more popular among individual IT workers around the world. But closed source software is easier to use, and also provides better services and security. So, it entirely depends on your needs, resources, as well as technical skills.
