Search for any free software online, and you’ll find links to countless websites. In other words, you can find plenty of open-source software for a variety of purposes. You can make a video call, edit documents, even media files with an open-source tool easily. The question is, how trustworthy is the source? Open-source software is free, which makes it an attractive option for many users. However, it can also be difficult to use and may not offer the features needed to get the work done. If you have downloaded an application recently, learn the advantages and disadvantages of free software for good.
Advantages of Free Software
Free software is the easiest way to get your job done, be it converting a file, editing video/audio, or even playing games online. Here are some advantages of free software you should consider.
1. Zero Cost
Open-source software is free, making it an appealing option for many users. Furthermore, since there are no licensing fees attached, companies can save money they would otherwise spend on license fees and upgrade charges. This cost savings enable businesses to invest in other types of technology or hire more employees instead of paying a high price for using certain types of commercial software.
2. Flexibility
Free software allows anyone to view, edit, and change the original program. If you are tech-savvy, this flexibility gives you the ability to customize programs to meet specific needs. For example, an insurance company could add a feature that would enable employees to create reports with various combinations of policy information instead of just one report based on a single policy number.
3. Security
Many people can scrutinize open-source software, which makes it more secure. Since anyone can view the code for these programs, companies can identify issues much faster than they would with commercial software that has undergone less testing and review. This type of transparency makes open-source users even more loyal because they know others value and appreciate their input.
4. Customization Options
Because free software is written in publicly available computer programming languages, anyone can access the code. Users can change and customize the existing features or add new ones without requesting permission from a third party. This type of customization gives them more control over their technology and makes it easier to carry out their tasks. Customization control is, unquestionably, one of the commendable advantages of free or open-source software.
5. Community
Since everyone likes to use free things, you can find millions of free open-source software with a large and knowledgeable community of users. This can benefit individuals and large and small companies alike. The open nature of free software allows people to connect with like-minded individuals all around the Internet.
In addition, because original developers or members of the user community add new features consistently, businesses have access to state-of-the-art technology without hiring additional staff for research and development purposes.
6. Trial before Purchase
The great thing about free software is the ability to experience the product before purchasing. Although not all freeware has premium versions, those which do can benefit from this feature. The free software of a paid product is generally a watered-down copy with either limited features or time. Hence, after experiencing the various features, the user can decide whether to continue with the service or not. Thus, free software is the best way to review a paid service without incurring any loss.
Disadvantages of Free Software
“Not all that glitters is gold.” This saying rings true when it’s about using open-source applications without prior knowledge. These disadvantages of free software must be clear before you can make an informed decision.
1. Compatibility Issues
Microsoft stopped its support for Windows XP years ago. Additionally, software applications are incompatible with Windows 11 due to having an obsolete database. Moreover, open-source software may not be compatible with existing equipment or operating systems. This can cause problems for you if you want to move on from commercial programs such as Microsoft Office. The formatting and other features might function differently than they did in the previous version of the program.
2. Lack of Support
Outdated software can bring lots of trouble for individuals and corporations alike. Companies that use free software may have little to no support from a third party. This can be frustrating because some users might not know how to fix problems themselves. This means they must spend additional time and energy waiting for patches or updates instead of being productive.
3. Learning Curve
Open-source software can be difficult to use because it is written in computer programming languages unfamiliar to many people. For example, open-source database management systems are written using SQL syntax instead of the more common Structured Query Language (SQL) used by commercial programs like Microsoft Access and Oracle.
Companies should consider all pros and cons before adopting any open-source software for their business needs. Free software users may also want to consult with an expert. Alternatively, they can search online for additional information about specific programs and how other companies made them work successfully within their organizations.
4. Long-term Cost
Hidden costs are major drawbacks of free software, as they may add up if you use one at some point. If an emergency arises, it’s your responsibility to put out the flames and cover the costs. You can’t pull your vendor’s chain to solve the problem because there is none. Instead, you must either tackle it in-house or hire outside assistance. Also, consider the expenses of implementing and training staff on new software in the workplace.
5. Security Issues
Open-source software is not developed in a testing facility. Some developers working on the program may also have ill intentions or become disenfranchised, given the number of people working on it. A single programmer adding malware to the software is all it takes for a catastrophe to occur.
Because only vendor developers can access and modify the code in closed source software, there are either fewer vulnerabilities or they are harder to find. Although there’s always a danger of hidden backdoors or Trojans, people commonly see closed software as safer because no one but the vendor developers can see or edit it.
You can do your part by checking whether free software has links to unknown sources during installation or not. While installing any application, investigate the additional steps a free software asks you to do as a mere formality. Not every application is trustworthy. If you think the application is trying to install unknown or sketchy add-ons, stop right away.
6. Advertisements
Although free software is good, it also has its share of problems. One such headache-inducing disadvantage is constant ads. Since these developers do not charge customers for using the service/software, they have to find other avenues of income. One of the popular methods to reduce costs and earn a profit is advertisements. These ads not only lower the user experience but often carry the risk of adware that can hide in the software and stealthily install it on devices to infest them with malware. As we all know, free things are sometimes the costliest. Thus, having free software can always come back to bite the user, if he is not careful enough.