{"id":10353,"date":"2025-10-09T15:42:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T13:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prosteit.pl\/?p=10353"},"modified":"2025-10-16T12:30:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T10:30:16","slug":"what-is-open-source-licenses-costs-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prosteit.pl\/en\/what-is-open-source-licenses-costs-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Open Source? Licensing Policies, Costs, and Practical Examples for Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In a world where most software is closed, licensed and paid, open source<\/strong> is an alternative based on freedom and cooperation. It is software whose the source code is publicly available<\/strong> \u2013 it can be viewed, modified, and expanded. This means users are no longer dependent on a single vendor, and companies gain flexibility and control over the tools they use.<\/p>

It is not without reason that giants like Google or Microsoft<\/strong> They actively support open source projects and publish their own solutions using this model. Open source code today drives innovations that later find their way into commercial products and services.<\/p>

In this article, we will take a look at what exactly open source is, whether it is actually always free, and how it works in practice \u2013 using tools such as Bitwarden and Vaultwarden<\/a><\/strong> or systems ERP<\/strong>This will make it easier to assess when open source is truly worthwhile.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Open Source Is According to OSI (and What It Isn't)<\/span><\/h2>

Deadline open source<\/strong> is often used interchangeably with the terms "free software" or "open source software." However, in reality, it has a very precise definition, developed by the organization Open Source Initiative (OSI)<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 an institution that has been setting standards for open source projects since the late 1990s.<\/p>

According to OSI rules, a program can be called "open source" if its the source code is publicly available<\/strong> and you can use it use, copy, analyze, modify and further distribute<\/strong> \u2013 provided that certain licensing terms are followed. This is not just "file access," but above all freedom to use the knowledge of how a given program works<\/strong>.<\/p>

The Most Important Open Source Principles According to OSI<\/span><\/h3>

In short, open source software should meet, among others, the following conditions:<\/p>

  1. Free redistribution<\/strong> \u2013 the program can be shared without additional fees.<\/p><\/li>

  2. Access to source code<\/strong> \u2013 every user has the right to see how the application works \u201cfrom the inside\u201d.<\/p><\/li>

  3. Possibility to create derivative works<\/strong> \u2013 you can change the code and create your own versions.<\/p><\/li>

  4. No discrimination between users and industries<\/strong> \u2013 the software may be used for any purpose, including commercial purposes.<\/p><\/li>

  5. License Neutrality<\/strong> \u2013 the terms of use must not depend on a specific product, technology or system.<\/p><\/li><\/ol>

    It is these principles that distinguish open source from so-called freeware<\/strong>, or free software with closed source code. With freeware, you can use the program, but you have no right to know exactly how it works or modify it. Open source, on the other hand, provides full transparency and control.<\/p>

    Open source\u00a0<\/span>\u2260 chaos<\/span><\/span><\/h3>

    Contrary to appearances, open source doesn't mean that anyone can "break" or "change" the program at will. Open source projects are usually managed by a community of developers<\/strong>, often centered around foundations (e.g., the Linux Foundation, Apache Foundation, or Mozilla). They are responsible for code quality, security testing, and subsequent software releases.<\/p>

    As a result, many open source solutions match, and often even surpass, commercial systems in terms of stability and security. Examples include projects such as Linux<\/strong>, Firefox<\/strong> Whether Apache<\/strong>, which operate in millions of companies and institutions around the world.<\/p>

    Open source is not only a way of distributing software \u2013 it is philosophy of openness, cooperation and trust<\/strong>that changed the way technology is created today.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Is open source always free? Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)<\/span><\/h2>

    One of the most common myths about open source is that because software is open, it must be completely free<\/strong>. Indeed, in most cases you don't have to pay for the license itself, but that's just the beginning of the total cost of use \u2013 the so-called TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)<\/strong>.<\/p>

    Open source offers freedom, but also responsibility. Implementing, maintaining, and updating such a system independently requires time, technical knowledge, and resources. Companies that choose open source quickly discover that the largest costs arise not from the purchase, but from the administration, configuration and maintenance<\/strong>.<\/p>

    What can generate costs in open source?<\/span><\/h3>

    1. Infrastructure and hosting<\/strong> Even free software needs to be run somewhere: on a local server or in the cloud. Performance, security, and backups must be ensured.<\/p><\/li>

    2. Time and technical knowledge<\/strong> \u2013 installation, updates and adaptation of the system to the company\u2019s needs are tasks that require IT competences.<\/p><\/li>

    3. User training and support<\/strong> \u2013 Employees need to know how to use the new tool; sometimes technical support is also needed.<\/p><\/li>

    4. Security and updates<\/strong> \u2013 Open source projects are only secure if they are regularly updated. Neglecting this aspect can lead to serious vulnerabilities and data loss.<\/p><\/li><\/ol>

      Therefore, in practice, companies often choose a mixed model\u2014open source software but with paid support, hosting, and administration. This allows them to maintain control over their data and independence from vendor licensing, while also ensuring the system operates stably and securely.<\/p>

      Ultimately open source does not mean no costs<\/strong>, but greater flexibility in their control<\/strong>You don't pay for a license, but you do invest in configuration, security, and development. However, a well-planned implementation can be significantly cheaper in the long run than subscriptions to proprietary systems.<\/p>

      If you are considering implementing open source software in your company but don't want to worry about servers, updates and security - we can help you with this<\/strong>We offer professional hosting and administration of open source applications<\/strong>, so you can take advantage of their benefits without engaging your own IT resources.
      We will ensure stability, security, and ease of use \u2013 you can focus on your business.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      How does open source make money? <\/span><\/h2>\n

      For many people, open source is associated with something free, created by enthusiasts after hours, with no real revenue model. However, the world of open source software is now a vast, professional ecosystem, encompassing both small companies and global tech giants. The only difference is where value appears and what the customer is willing to pay for<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      How it works in simple words<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Imagine that someone published recipe for a perfect cake<\/strong>Anyone can read it, download it, and try baking it themselves. But not everyone has the time, equipment, or experience. Some people prefer to pay someone to prepare the cake for them\u2014quickly, perfectly, and without the risk of failure.<\/p>\n

      It's exactly the same with open source software. The source code is public\u2014you can download it, run it, and modify it. But if you want it to run securely, be well-configured, and have backups and updates\u2014then you pay for the service<\/strong>, not for the code itself.<\/p>\n

      Therefore, open source is not incompatible with making money. It's simply another way to build value<\/strong> \u2013 one in which knowledge and openness attract customers, and revenue comes from the services, support and convenience offered by the manufacturer or implementation partner.<\/p>\n

      Model 1: Support and Subscriptions<\/span><\/h3>\n

      The most classic model. The company provides the source code for free, but offers paid technical support, <\/strong>training, security updates and performance guarantee<\/strong>.<\/p>

      For example, Red Hat, whose Linux system is publicly available, but thousands of companies pay a subscription fee for professional support, patches, and certified versions.<\/p>\n

      It's a bit like visiting a garage: you can have the car repair manual yourself, but you'd rather have it done by a professional.<\/p>\n

      Model 2: Open core \u2013 free core, paid add-ons<\/span><\/h3>\n

      In this approach the basic version of the program is open source, but additional functions<\/strong> \u2013 e.g. reports, integration with corporate systems, SSO login or analytical tools \u2013 are only available in the paid version.<\/p>\n

      This model allows anyone to use an open solution, but gives companies a reason to pay for the \u201cEnterprise\u201d version.<\/p>\n

      This is how Odoo works, among others \u2013 an ERP system in which the Community version is free, and the extended Enterprise edition includes ready-made modules, hosting and support.<\/p>\n

      Model 3: SaaS \u2013 Open Source as a Service<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Not everyone wants to install and maintain software themselves. That's why many companies offer hosted open source version in the cloud<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      The code is the same, but the customer pays for the system to work immediately \u2013 with browser access, backups, and updates without their involvement.<\/p>\n

      This is the model that has become the most popular in recent years \u2013 it combines openness with convenience and a steady income from the subscription.<\/p>\n

      Model 4: Dual Licensing<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Some open source projects are available in two versions: open and commercial<\/strong>If someone wants to use the code in a closed product (e.g., paid software that is resold), they can purchase a commercial license to avoid having to disclose their code.<\/p>\n

      This is a fair solution \u2013 the community has access to the project, and companies that want to profit from it pay for the right to wider use.<\/p>\n

      Model 5: Implementation, consulting and training<\/span><\/h3>\n

      For many companies, open source is simply work tool<\/strong>, which requires implementation and maintenance.
      Here the profit comes not from the software itself, but from the services around it:<\/p>\n