Summary

Open source software is often misunderstood, leading to misconceptions about its security, quality, user base, commercial viability, cost, support, and diversity. By debunking these myths, we find that open source software provides robust, high-quality solutions that can cater to both individual users and commercial enterprises effectively.

When it comes tofree and open source software(FOSS), many people find themselves adrift in a sea of misconceptions and misunderstandings. This is unfortunate because FOSS is a critical component of the software ecosystem and provides enormous benefits.

Open Source Software Is Not Secure

A common misconception is that FOSS is not secure because its source code is publicly accessible, making it easy for hackers to exploit. In fact, the exact opposite is true. The public nature of open source code allows for constant review and input by a community of developers worldwide.

Because there are so many eyes on the code, at least for popular projects, issues can be spotted and corrected early and often. This doesn’t mean FOSS is inherently more secure than the closed-source software, but it’s isn’t inherently less secure either. There are security features in place for FOSS, they are just different from the security practices used for closed source, in-house code.

Related:What Is Open Source Software, and Why Does It Matter?

That being said, there have been several incidents where the open nature of FOSS didn’t save it from malicious actors. For example, theWebmin Backdoor. which took more than a year to detect and fix and the incredibly seriousHeartbleed Bug, found in the OpenSSL cryptographic software library.

Open Source Means Lower Quality

Many people believe that because FOSS is often free and developed by volunteers, it must be of lower quality. In truth, many open-source projects have proven to be just as good as their proprietary counterparts. FOSS often benefits from diverse input, with developers from different backgrounds and expertise levels contributing to robust, high-quality software.

Related:The Best Modern, Open Source Ports of Classic Games

This doesn’t mean the software has to be a point-for-point match on the feature list, mind you. LibreOffice isn’t packed (some would say bloated) with the sheer number of features programs in the Office 365 suite are, butit offers the features the vast majority of people actually use. Likewise, the GIMP may not have all the same features of Adobe Photoshop, in particular its cloud features, but in the right hands it can achieve equally good results.

I usedLibreOfficethrough multiple year of University, and never ran into any limitations compared to those using Microsoft Word.VLC Playeris the best media-playing app I’ve ever used, and it’s open source. In most cases there’s no upfront cost to try open source alternative, so you can try these programs for yourself and maybe save on software licences and subscription fees to boot.

Open Source Is Only for Developers

There’s a misconception that FOSS is meant only for developers and IT professionals, primarily because it often grants users access to the underlying source code. While it’s true that having access to the source code can be advantageous for developers, many open-source programs are user-friendly and require no coding knowledge at all:Audacityfor audio editing, VLC for media playback,Thunderbirdfor email, and the list goes on.

Open Source Software Is Not Commercially Viable

Some people believe that open-source software can’t be commercially viable because it can be freely distributed. However, many businesses have found success by offering premium services related to FOSS, such as customization, installation, technical support, or extra features. Companies like Red Hat (e.g.Red Hat Linux), IBM (e.g.PyTorch), and even Google (e.g.Android)demonstrate the commercial viability of open-source models.

Open Source Is Always Free

While it’s true that a lot of open-source software is available for free, “open source” doesn’t necessarily mean “free.” The term “open source” refers to the accessibility of the source code, not the price. Many open-source projects are funded through other means, such as donations, subscription fees, or offering premium versions with additional features.

Related:The Best Free Apps for Your Windows PC

Open Source Projects Are Not Well-Supported

The assumption that FOSS doesn’t have good support because it’s community-based is another fallacy. While it’s true that you might not have a dedicated customer service line as with commercial software, many open-source projects have active communities of developers and users who provide impressive support. Online forums, tutorials, and documentation provide a rich source of help and knowledge.

Related:The Downsides of Open Source Software

All Open Source Software Is the Same

Lastly, there’s a misconception that all FOSS is the same. But like proprietary software, FOSS varies greatly in functionality, design, support, and licensing conditions. For example, consider the difference between two open-source operating systems,Debian and Ubuntu—they have different target users, different release cycles, and different default environments.

From operating systems to productivity software, games and many other niche types of software in between, there’s probably at least one FOSS package that’s exactly what you’ve been looking for.