Software solutions help you streamline your business processes and bring about a positive change in your IT infrastructure. Depending on their needs and preferences, organizations choose to implement the right software applications to engage their customers, improve their internal teams’ productivity, and boost their ROI.
However, it is important to know the type of software you want to implement before embracing digitization within your organization. Open-source software vs. custom software has been an age-old debate and confused multiple businesses over time. While neither of the two is solely a good or a bad choice, it is important to analyze them before making the right choice.
While some organizations choose to have a mix of custom and open-source software solutions, others do not have the luxury to do so. If you are struggling to pick one between the two alternatives, let us briefly understand open-source software vs. custom software.
What Is Open-source Software?
Open-source software refers to a software solution that is accessible to everyone. It is not built according to the needs, preferences, and objectives of a specific organization. Being publicly accessible, these solutions can be implemented by any organization looking for the services it has to offer.
In the case of open-source software, the source code and development credits lie with the company building it. As you implement it, you merely get the license to use it for your business. You cannot change its functionality and tailor it to your company’s needs.
Here are a few common software solutions businesses worldwide implement as open-source software:
- Email marketing software
- Task management software
- Project management software
- Communication tools
- Accounting software
- SEO software
- Lead generation software
- Human resource solutions
Please note that all the examples stated above can be developed as custom software solutions if you want to build an application that is unique to your business.
So, what is custom software?
What Is Custom Software?
Custom software refers to a software solution developed specifically according to the needs and objectives of an organization. Instead of generic functionality, the features and tools in a custom software solution are tailored to your business needs.
Here, the source code lies with the organization building the application. A dedicated Custom Software Development Solutions helps you design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain custom software according to your business needs. Any software solution that is unique to an organization can be called a custom software solution.
Now that we know what each of the two software solutions means, let us have a look at the benefits they have in store for you.
Benefits Of Open-source Software
Free Services
The biggest benefit of open-source software is that it is free. Until you want to avail yourself of advanced tools, features, and add-ons, you can get the open-source code of a software package for free. This helps you save money while streamlining your business processes. If you are looking for a no-nonsense functionality that handles simple processes, you can implement an open-source software solution within your organization.
Better Assurance
Open-source software solutions often give you more assurance of features as they have already been implemented by multiple users. It is easy to verify how a specific application works before you implement it within your organization. This reduces the risk involved in implementing a software solution and relieves you from dealing with uncertainties.
Constant Evolution
Companies building open-source solutions understand the need to be in tune with the ongoing tech trends. This makes these solutions evolve with time, helping users stay relevant. Public access to their source codes allows such applications to upgrade their functionalities as new features are added, and new opportunities are explored.
No Developer Responsibility
In the case of an open-source software solution, you are simply a “user.” You do not shoulder any responsibility that comes with developing the software for your organization. As these software solutions are pre-built, you can always seek external support to resolve the issues you face while working on the application. Even if an open-source application doesn’t work in your favor, no one directly associated with your organization is to be blamed.
Benefits Of Custom Software
Fulfilling Unique Business Needs
Every organization has unique business needs and goals. As open-source software provided generic solutions that are applicable to a wide range of businesses, they cannot be used to cater to objectives that are unique to your business.
Working with a custom Software Development Companies helps you address issues that no other business faces. Custom software lets you focus on your business needs and develop a solution accordingly. Here, every feature and tool can be designed to cater to your business needs.
High Flexibility
Open-source solutions may let you configure their features a little, but you cannot tailor their core functionalities. This makes them rigid, which is not the case with custom software.
As you have complete control over designing and developing a custom software application, it gives you high flexibility at all stages. Whether you want to add new features mid-way, upgrade your application at any time, or alter its functionality according to the changing business needs, you can make all necessary changes in a hassle-free way.
Creating A Unique Identity
Open-source software provides you with tools and features that are the same for every user. This doesn’t always help you create a unique brand identity in a highly competitive market. On the other hand, custom software solutions have helped companies build their brands.
Custom software development gives you the freedom to build your software the way you want. Even if multiple market players offer similar products/services, you can stand out from the clutter by building a unique application. In this case, your business application becomes an extension of your brand.
Better Customer Relations
At the end of the day, all organizations implement software solutions to build healthy customer relations. If engaging your customers is one of your primary objectives, it is advisable to build a custom software solution for your business. Custom software development allows you to add precisely the features your customers are looking for. Instead of letting your customers pick the features they like and ignore the rest, you can build an application fully designed to meet your customers’ needs.
When the customers get what they have been looking for, they are bound to give you the desired traction. This helps you build a loyal customer base and increase your stronghold in the industry you operate in.
Knowing the benefits of both software alternatives is not enough to make an informed decision regarding open-source software vs. custom software. Let us discuss a few major drawbacks of each alternative to reach a definite conclusion.
Drawbacks Of Open-source Software
Low On Flexibility
Open-source software does not provide you with the flexibility that comes with custom software development. As it is already built by an organization that isn’t directly associated with your business, you can hardly make changes that suit your business needs.
High Overall Development Cost
While the basic features offered by an open-source software solution are free, it may increase your overall software development cost if you are looking for advanced features. Many businesses choose to purchase suitable add-ons and carry out expensive integrations to expand their software’s functionality. Custom software prevents such costs as it is built from scratch according to your unique business needs.
Security Issues
As the licensed owner of an open-source software solution is in complete control of the underlying code, you have little to no control over your application’s security. Moreover, it is easier for hackers to breach an open-source application’s security as the code is openly available for anyone willing to use the platform.
Drawbacks Of Custom Software
Not Ideal For Simpler Processes
If you are looking for a software solution to streamline simple business processes, custom software development may not be the best alternative to choose. Businesses often refrain from spending a fortune on leveraging basic processes that can be handled by an open-source solution for free.
No Guarantee Of Success
Open-source software gives you the assurance of being tried and tested in the past, helping you manage your risks and expectations accordingly. There is no such assurance in building custom software. As the software solution is unique to your business and built from scratch, you do not have any precedence to rely on.
This increases the risk involved in developing a custom software solution. While it gives you all the freedom in the world, it also makes you shoulder the responsibility of being the creator of your business application.
Custom Software Vs. Open-source Software: Which Is The Better?
While there is no objective answer to this question, analyzing the pros and cons of each alternative should help you understand which one best suits your business needs. If you are looking for a simple software solution and make a safe bet without the intention of creating your niche in the market, you can get yourself an open-source software solution. On the other hand, if you want to tailor a software solution to your business needs, build better customer relations, and create a unique brand image, custom software development is the way to go!