Quick Tidbits
Open Source vs. Proprietary

What's the difference & what's better for you?

Published February 28, 2019

The difference between open source programs and proprietary programs is relatively easy to distinguish:

• Open source is any program in which the code for the program is open and available for developers to work on and improve for their needs without additional cost.
• Proprietary programs are those in which the programming is secured and not open to developers for improvements and changes without incurring a licensing fee(s).
• Open source programs are often more secure and reliable when it come to hacker attempts and security flaws due to community testing throughout the development process.
• Proprietary programs are developed in private versus open to the public for error testing and security flaws. Proprietary programs only open beta testing to the community near the final release stage.
• With open source, technology improvement and innovation is rampant due to many minds collaborating to develop the best product(s).
• Proprietary programs can be improved, but are often done so under lock and key with limited community involvement so as to avoid just anyone perusing and evaluating if they have a better idea or method.