Open source has been around for a long time, and I’m sure you are using at least one application currently, such as Firefox, Brave, or Linux.
However, have you ever wondered how these projects make money and what motivates developers to create applications, sometimes without any profit?
This question has been on my mind for a long time. Five years ago, my answer would have been very different. I would have said that this model is cool because it’s free for me, but if I were a developer, I would never share my code without compensation.
My perspective has changed, as many things do in life. I am currently working on a project in this space, and perhaps we can consider this blog as part of it as well, since there is no cost to access the content on this website.
But Why Open Source?
Such projects offer many advantages for both customers and developers. For developers, it provides an opportunity to improve their skills and collaborate with others. For customers, these projects mean more customization options and no need for a license to use them.
Even for companies, there are benefits. Reputation and advertisement are key reasons why some large organizations are embracing this approach these days. Additionally, these projects can be easily reviewed by anyone, making them more transparent and allowing for faster improvements compared to closed-source alternatives.
Earning from Open Source
Nothing in this world is free; everything has a price, whether you use open source or closed source applications. However, these applications can be modified for various purposes, so they will always remain free or ad-free.
It is true that making money from such applications can be challenging because users can deactivate any monetization features you implement. However, many users donate to projects they love, and companies sponsor these initiatives—not purely out of goodwill, but also for reputation enhancement.
Some developers offer additional features for their fan base and monetize those. For example, Excalidraw+ provides extra features that users could create themselves, but it would take too much time, so they can pay for the convenience.
Advertisement is another method, but it is not feasible to include ads in these projects, as someone could simply copy the source code, remove the ads, and republish it. However, some blog websites that offer free content do display ads to generate revenue. While ads can be annoying, they often enable us to access free content.
Why Closed Source?
Not everything should be an open project; I still strongly believe this. Private code is essential. Consider games: if you give the source code to everyone, they can easily manipulate it to cheat. Who really likes cheaters?
Big companies are not in the business of providing solutions for free; they have many employees who need to earn a living. The balance between closed and open models creates wonderful solutions in our world. It’s not that closed source is better than open source, nor that open source is superior; both can coexist harmoniously.
Conclusion
I just wanted to share my views on closed and open applications, along with other related topics. My perspective is personal and shaped by my experiences and ideas; it is not an absolute truth for everyone.
There are many opposing viewpoints, and it is not uncommon for people to advocate for open applications. However, my opinion remains that closed and open models are two sides of the same coin, and their harmony is what works best.