Is open source better?
April 18, 2025, 9:44 a.m.
Is open source better? In my opinion, open source for the most part is better (end of blog, carry on). The main topics that come to mind regarding open source solutions are no vendor lock-in, solves my technical limitations, and is accessible. This translates to me as cheap or free, less hassle and does what I need it to do.
One reason for liking open source solutions is to not be locked in by a vendor. There have been multiple instances where I am happily working on a project and I need to use a different tool. I’ve encountered mechanisms that make the task of switching to a different tool or freely modify my project difficult or impossible. The easiest solution tends to be a paid solution (big surprise!). Not being locked in by a vendor is something I value as it can become costly to get locked in. Take for example spending years on a project and seeing a price increase or a disagreeable practice where it no longer makes sense staying with the current solution only to find out it is difficult or impossible to switch. The easiest solution for a project is to not switch vendors while acquiring new and exciting additional costs. By having the project not locked by a vendor one can switch if things start turning in a wrong direction. Philosophically I can control what I do but not whats others do.
Another reason for liking open source solutions is because it solves technical limitations. There has been multiple instances where I needed a software solution like a database, operating system, video capture, etc. Generally I have 3 soups either I make it myself, I pay a large amount, or I find an open source solution. I tend to make things myself when possible other times it would require me to re-invent the wheel and distract from my original goal. So the easiest, cheapest, maybe even safest solution for me is to use the open source solution. Top of mind was when I needed a database for a website or when my snowboarding boot’s foot liner strap broke. I found an open sourced “.stl” file of the strap, printed the strap on my 3d printer and extended the life of the boot (the strap even worked better).
Accessibility is another major reason for liking open source solutions. There have been times where something I need is prohibitively expensive therefore unreachable or inaccessible to me. So my options then become to be reckless with my finances (nah), don’t access the thing I need, or search for an open source solution. Generally, there tends to be an open source solution. This has happened frequently enough that I know this song and dance and it’s just easier to look for an open source solution first since it saves me time, hassle and money.
Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list it’s just my experience. I could go on about the topic as there are more reasons to like open source. So if you are looking for something that does not lock you in to their proprietary shenanigans, can help solve your technical limitations and is accessible maybe try an open source solution.