Let’s face it.  Given a choice between two software products, one that charges a fee vs one that is free, we all want to use the one that’s free.  For businesses, this can improve its margins.  For individuals, it can keep some money in their pocket.  It also helps developers produce products faster.  Not only can they simply download the free software and use it, but there are no sales teams or contracts to work through.  At least, this is the popular belief.  Yet, as with many things in life, there is another side to the coin.  Let’s do a little comparison between OSS and commercial software.

• Both OSS and commercial software are governed by a license.  As I discussed in the article What is Open Source Software, it is the license terms that determine if software is OSS.  This means we always have a license to review regardless of which software we use.

• Both OSS and commercial software have a development staff that surrounds the software.  You may say that only commercial software has compensated staff, but OSS may do the same.  Just look at Red Hat, an open source software company.  It employs thousands of people world-wide.   The great news is that they are software professionals regardless of the software being commercial or OSS.

• Open source software provides you with access to the source code.  However, most commercial software companies place source code in escrow to protect you against the loss of the company.  So, there is a way to access source code when you need it, even with commercial software.

• Development and testing of software is done in a similar manner for both commercial software and OSS.  After all, the software is created by professionals.  They use proven techniques to create and test software.

• Both types of software get their enhancement ideas from the industry and their clients.  What new features should we add next?  The OSS and commercial software creators both care about advancing the usefulness of the software.

• Commercial software is often supported by the commercial organization that sells it.  This is good news if you need software support.  Yet, the same is true for much of the popular OSS.  In fact, for popular OSS, there may be multiple support organizations from which to choose!

• Commercial software often uses a sales team to sell the software and related services.  In the world of OSS, you find similar sales teams.  The more popular the OSS solution, the more likely you are to find a sales team willing to sell you a commercial license to the OSS software and related services.

When you compare commercial software to OSS, there are many similarities.  So, what’s the point?  Simply that OSS and commercial software have very similar characteristics.  We shouldn’t simply discard commercial software because it comes at a cost.  Nor should we automatically choose OSS because it is free.  Rather, we should look at our specific needs and use those to drive our analysis and selection.  If you need software support, make sure that the level of support offered by any organization meets your needs.  Otherwise, you shoot yourself in the foot.

Following a responsible software acquisition and management process is key to selecting the right software for your needs.  While there are many ways to evaluate software, the one I like can be found here.

—Jeff Brown, SilverStream Consulting