Why Open Source Apps Are a Big Deal and the Role of Self-Hosting
Recent US tariffs have increased technology prices and disrupted global supply chains, making IT budgets less predictable and pushing organizations to seek more cost-effective and resilient solutions.
Recent US tariffs have increased technology prices and disrupted global supply chains, making IT budgets less predictable and pushing organizations to seek more cost-effective and resilient solutions. Services or software solutions aren’t taxed…yet??
Open source and self-hosted solutions help businesses reduce reliance on single vendors, which is crucial when supply chains are unstable and licensing costs can suddenly rise due to geopolitical events. By self-hosting, companies gain full control over their data, security, and compliance, avoiding risks tied to third-party providers and ensuring they can meet strict regulatory requirements. Open source software also enables rapid innovation and customization, allowing organizations to adapt quickly without waiting for commercial vendors to update their products.
Finally, these solutions offer long-term financial predictability, as businesses avoid recurring subscription fees and unexpected price hikes, which is especially important in a volatile economic environment
An open source application is software whose source code is publicly available. This means anyone can look at it, tweak it, improve it, or share it – all depending on the type of license it comes with (like MIT, GPL, Apache, etc.). Unlike closed-source (a.k.a. proprietary) software, there are no secrets here – developers and users alike can see exactly how the app works and even help shape its future. Most open source apps are free to use, and you're generally allowed to use them for personal, educational, or even commercial purposes. Pretty sweet, right?
FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) takes this even further by offering not just transparency but also the flexibility to customize and build software that perfectly fits your needs. It allows organizations to innovate rapidly, without waiting for commercial vendors to update their products, and it’s backed by a supportive community that helps shape its evolution. With FOSS, businesses can enjoy the freedom to modify, distribute, and use the software in any way they see fit, making it a powerful alternative to proprietary solutions.
So, why are open source apps such a hit?
For starters, they help keep costs down – making them a great choice for startups, schools, and nonprofits that want to avoid pricey software licenses without sacrificing quality. Thanks to large, active communities around many open source projects, development tends to move quickly – bugs get fixed fast, and new features are released regularly. Open source is also a fantastic resource for learning; if you're getting into programming, there’s no better way to explore real-world code and even contribute to meaningful projects. And that’s why we like it!
And what do we also like?
Self-hosting. Many open source apps can be hosted on your own server or infrastructure, giving you full control over your data, performance, and privacy. Whether it’s a project management tool, a file storage platform, or a web analytics dashboard – self-hosted solutions let you run things your way, without relying on third-party services. That’s especially valuable for teams that are privacy-conscious, working in regulated industries, or just want to avoid being dependent on external providers.
Some examples
When you combine these two things – open source and self-hosting – you get something like Mattermost. Think of it as a privacy - first alternative to Slack or Microsoft Teams – but with a lot more control and flexibility. It offers everything you'd expect from a messaging platform: real-time chat, private and group messaging, file sharing, channel organization, and integrations. But it also goes a step further.
Another great example? Nextcloud. It’s like having your own personal Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft Office suite all rolled into one – but totally under your control. You can host it yourself, sync files across devices, share documents securely, and even collaborate on text, spreadsheets, and video calls – all without handing over your data to big tech. It’s perfect for individuals, teams, or organizations that want powerful cloud features without the cloud compromise.
You can also find GIMP - a free and open-source image editor that offers everything you need for image editing. Whether it's basic tasks like cropping and adjusting colors or more advanced features like layers, masking, and plugin support, it’s all there. And the best part? You don’t need to worry about paying for licenses or sharing your data.
For servers, there's Proxmox – a solution that stands out for its simplicity and rich feature set. With Proxmox, you get a user-friendly web interface that makes managing virtual environments a breeze. It lets you easily monitor performance, set up storage, and run multiple virtual machines or containers on a single physical host. Whether you're running a small business or managing a larger enterprise environment, it offers the flexibility and ease of use you need to keep everything running smoothly.
So, the next time you're selecting software or a tool for your business, take a look under the hood. If it’s open source, that’s usually a good sign. It’s more than just cost savings - it’s about gaining control, boosting flexibility, and staying ahead in a world that’s constantly shifting. Why settle for less when you can take the wheel and shape your own tech future?
Original source: Why Open Source Apps Are a Big Deal and the Role of Self-Hosting | LinkedIn, Milan Puvaca, PhD.