What is open source?

The short answer

Open source means the code behind a piece of software is publicly available for anyone to view, use, modify, and share — for free.

How is that different from regular software?

Most software you use — like Microsoft Word or Photoshop — is closed source. The company keeps the code private, and you only get the finished product. You can’t see how it works or change it.

With open source software:

  • Anyone can read the code and see exactly what the software does
  • Anyone can suggest improvements or fix bugs
  • Anyone can make their own version of it
  • It’s usually free to download and use

What are some examples?

You probably already use open source software without realizing it:

  • Android — the operating system on most phones
  • Firefox — a popular web browser
  • VLC — the media player that plays almost any video file
  • WordPress — the platform behind roughly 40% of all websites
  • Linux — the operating system that runs most web servers

Why do people make software for free?

It sounds counterintuitive, but there are real reasons:

  • Companies share code to get free help improving it — Google, Meta, and Microsoft all release open source projects
  • Developers build a reputation by contributing to well-known projects
  • Everyone benefits when people fix bugs and add features together instead of rebuilding the same things separately

Is open source safe to use?

Generally, yes. Because the code is public, thousands of people can review it for security problems. Bugs often get found and fixed faster than in closed source software.

That said, you should still:

  • Download from official sources — not random websites
  • Keep it updated — open source projects release security fixes just like any other software
  • Stick to well-known projects with active communities behind them

Why should you care?

Even if you never look at a line of code, open source affects you. It keeps the internet running, powers your phone, and gives you free alternatives to expensive software. When someone says an app is “open source,” it means the project is transparent and community-driven — which is usually a good thing.