What is Open Source Software?

Open source software is software with source code available to view, modify, and distribute. Unlike proprietary software, which is controlled by its creators and often requires a license for use, open source software fosters a community-driven approach to software development.

However, that doesn’t mean that open source software comes without limitations. Each open source software license will have rules and guidelines around modifications, distribution, and attribution that users must adhere to. Read our Complete Guide to Open Source Licenses to learn more.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Open Source License Compliance

Benefits of open source software

1. Open source software offers users more control — As the source code is accessible, users can easily scan it for vulnerabilities or examine the code to ensure it functions as expected. If there are elements they don’t want, it’s easy to remove them.

2. OSS offers learning opportunities for new developers — Students can study the source code to learn how it works. The collaborative nature also allows students to share their work with others and ask for comments or critiques to improve.

3. Fixes and updates happen faster, leading to increased security — Anyone can view and modify open source software, which means there are more eyes on it to spot any errors or omissions the original author might have missed. If issues are identified, programmers can fix, update, and upgrade the software without waiting for the original author or seeking their permission, so vulnerabilities are addressed faster.

4. OSS is much less likely to “disappear” — For long-term projects in particular, open source code is particularly beneficial because there’s a much lower chance that the software will disappear or stop being monitored over time.

5. Open source software is free