Difference between Free Software and Open Source Software

The world of software is often divided into two distinct categories: free software and open-source software. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they represent different philosophies and approaches to software development and distribution. In this article, we’ll delve into the difference between free software and open source software, exploring their core principles, licenses, and implications for both developers and users.

1. Philosophy and Core Principles:

Free Software:

Free software, as defined by the Free Software Foundation (FSF), is driven by a set of fundamental principles, with the most notable being the Four Freedoms:

• The freedom to run the software for any purpose.
• The freedom to study and modify the software’s source code.
• The freedom to distribute copies of the software to help others.
• The freedom to distribute modified versions of the software.

These principles emphasize the importance of user rights, emphasizing software as a tool that should empower users with control and the freedom to use, study, modify, and share the software.

Open Source Software:

Open-source software, on the other hand, is guided by a focus on collaborative development and the practical benefits of sharing source code. While it doesn’t emphasize the same user rights as free software, it encourages transparency and accessibility to source code for collaboration and innovation.

2. Licenses:

Free Software:

Free software typically employs licenses like the GNU General Public License (GPL), which enforces the Four Freedoms and ensures that any software derived from the original free software remains free and open source. The GPL is known for its strong copyleft provisions, which demand that derivative works also be released under the same terms.

Open Source Software:

Open-source software uses licenses such as the MIT License, Apache License, or the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). These licenses are often more permissive, allowing developers to use open-source code in proprietary projects without necessarily releasing their code under an open-source license.

3. Developer Community:

Free Software:

The free software movement tends to attract developers who are deeply committed to the principles of user freedom. Communities surrounding free software projects often prioritize the maintenance of user rights and may be more resistant to allowing code contributions from individuals or organizations not committed to these principles.

Open Source Software:

Open-source software communities, while also collaborative, may be more inclusive and flexible when it comes to contributions. The focus is often on practical problem-solving and innovation rather than strict adherence to ideological principles.

4. Commercialization and Business Models:

Free Software:

Free software projects may pose challenges for certain commercialization models. Since the Four Freedoms emphasize user rights, it can be challenging to monetize software that must be freely available in source code form. However, businesses can still provide services, support, and customization around free software.

Open Source Software:

Open-source software offers more flexibility for commercialization. Companies can incorporate open-source components into proprietary software products or offer related services and support while keeping their source code closed. This model is often referred to as the “open core” approach.

5. Examples:

Free Software:

• The GNU Project, initiated by Richard Stallman, is a prominent advocate of free software. The GNU/Linux operating system, often referred to as simply “Linux,” is an example of a free software project.
• The Free Software Foundation promotes and develops free software.

Open Source Software:

• The Apache Software Foundation is known for open-source projects like the Apache web server and Hadoop.
• Mozilla’s Firefox web browser is another widely used open-source software product.

In conclusion, the distinction between free software and open-source software lies in their core principles, licensing, developer communities, and their approach to commercialization.

Free software prioritizes user rights and emphasizes copyleft licensing, while open-source software emphasizes collaboration, and transparency, and often uses more permissive licenses.

Both have their places in the world of software, and the choice between them often depends on the goals and values of developers, users, and organizations involved in software development and distribution.