Not everyone is going to like the way their software is operated, which is why open source software exists to allow users to customize how they want to use their software. With open-source software, users can configure how their software should work if they have the knowledge to do so. Here are some of the best open-source software available right now.

Open Source Software

9+ Open Source Software

1. LibreOffice

libreoffice

Details

Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Custom

Download

2. VLC Media Player

vlc media player

Details

Rating: 5/5

Price: $5/month

Download

3. GIMP

gimp

Details

Rating: 5/5

Price: FREE

Download

4. Shotcut

shotcut

Details

Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

Download

5. Brave

brave

Details

Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

Download

6. Audacity

audacity

Details

Rating: 4.6/5

Price: FREE

Download

7. KeePass

keepass

Details

Rating: 4.7/5

Price: Custom

Download

8. Thunderbird

thunderbird

Details

Rating: 4.8/5

Price: Custom

Download

9. FileZilla

filezilla

Details

Rating: 5/5

Price: Custom

Download

10. Linux

linux

Details

Rating: 4.9/5

Price: Custom

Download

What Is Open Source Software?

Open source software is a development software where developers and programmers have access to a software’s source code. Through the opensource software, developers and programmers can make changes to the pre-existing software that suits their needs, operations, and capabilities possible.

Benefits

Open source software helps developers and programmers to improve the pre-existing software with its extensive tools that allow for extensive editing in the source code. Through this process in the proprietary software, developers can have the software they like modified and adjusted to their needs and operations. The software also encourages endless learning for anyone into coding an open-source software, which can increase interest for younger generations to participate in developing, coding and programming. It may also bring in innovations along the way as a result of the open-ended nature of the software. The software also encourages collaboration within teams in developing open-source coding of the software. The open-source license software can also help companies especially startups to create new software based on pre-existing open-source which can adapt to their operations without compromising the cost of developing new software from starch. The software can also help companis build their own IT infrastructure within their company which contains a lot of benefits on its own including powerful functionality. The software’s source code also allows developers and programmers to make changes as much as the user wants, making it easier for them to change the software’s source code rather than creating a completely new software out of a blank source code canvas. The open-source project management can also help teams to complete team and company projects which the software can be handy for independent developers and companies in these situations. The open-source community is also open for collaboration, making it easy for developers and programmers to communicate due to the community-reliant nature of the software.

Features

Open source software should contain a source code programming language set-up in the software for developers and programmers to make changes in the source code and possibly develop entirely new software based on pre-existing source code software. The open-source operating system should provide automation software capabilities where certain tasks can be automated so that users can focus on other tasks where manual intervention is needed. The open-source accounting software should also contain big data analytics software tools to analyze how the software is performed through metric data. The open-source network monitoring software should integrate with various open-source software such as content management systems software, ERP software, CRM software, and many more.

  • Source code programming language
  • Automation tools
  • Big data analytics capabilities
  • Integration with other open-source software

Top 10 Best Open Source Software

1. Audacity

Audacity provides an open-source audio editing software that allows users to customize the way they produce audio files with its plug-ins. Audacity has 7 employees and earns annual revenue of $1 million.

2. Thunderbird

Thunderbird’s email software provides customization tools that makes users’ email experience easier and more optimized. Thunderbird has 871 employees and earns annual revenue of $156.8 million.

3. Linux

Linux provides an easy open-source software that allows users to scale the software’s capabilities with its flexible open-source capabilities. Linux has 522 employees and earns annual revenue of $75.7 million.

4. KeePass

KeePass gives customization options for users to store their passwords securely with its password manager software. KeePass has 103 employees and earns a revenue of $20 million.

5. Brave

Brave’s secure web browser software allows users to customize the way they browse the web safely. Brave has 148 employees and earns annual revenue of $19.2 million. 

6. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player allows users to customize their video viewing experience with its open-source video player software. VLC Media Player is owned and operated by VideoLAN, which the parent company has 28 employees and earns annual revenue of $4.1 million.

7. FileZilla

FileZilla’s file transfer software allows users to customize the way they store their content in cloud storage. FileZilla has 28 employees.

8. LibreOffice

LibreOffice’s document management software enables users to manage their documents in their own terms. LibreOffice has around 25 employees.

9. GIMP

GIMP is easy yet customizable with its photo editing software features that allow users to customize the way they edit photos and graphics. GIMP has around 25 employees.

10. Shotcut

Shotcut’s video editing software is free and customizable that gives users such as video editors ways to edit their videos however they want through plug-ins. Shotcut has around 25 employees.

FAQ

What risks should users of the open-source software be aware of?

Users of open-source software should be aware that the open-source software might expose their software to a vulnerability which can provide an opportunity for hackers to compromise the software and the user itself. This is the result of the constant editing of the original software’s source code programming. If vulnerabilities are not checked often, their open-source software might be a liability to their users’ safety and security which can be resolved with third-party cyber security software. Users should also be aware of the possibility of licensing software conflicts as a revoked license will prevent developers from using the open-source software. This can be avoided by reading the license agreement terms, which preferably be read by a lawyer. It’s important to have a proper license to ensure the software can be used legally.

What does the future hold for open-source software?

With an increased interest in coding and programming, open-source software might become more accessible to ever where users can give ways to change their software’s infrastructure according to their standards. The open-source software also provides opportunities for users to be more involved in the ownership of their assets, though these users should compensate the developer of the original open-source software since they establish the blueprint for users to modify the software’s source code.

How much does open-source software cost?

Pricing for open-source software is usually customized, with each software offering different subscription tiers that offer more features as the prices increase. Pricing for open-source software varies depending on the features available and the intended companies. Low-profile companies may benefit from low-cost open-source software while high-profile large companies may benefit from high-cost open-source software.

Related Posts