I've been using open source software for years now, and I can't imagine going back to proprietary solutions. The more I work with both, the clearer it becomes that open source is simply superior in almost every meaningful way.
Let me explain why.
You actually own what you use
When you use proprietary software, you're essentially renting it. The company can change the terms, increase prices, remove features, or shut down entirely at any time. With open source, the code is yours. Even if the original maintainers disappear, you can fork it, modify it, or keep using the current version forever.
I've lost count of how many times I've seen people scramble when their favorite proprietary tool gets discontinued or becomes too expensive. With open source, that's never a problem.
No vendor lock-in
Proprietary software companies love to trap you in their ecosystem. They make it hard to export your data, switch to competitors, or integrate with other tools. Open source projects, by their very nature, tend to use open standards and make data portability a priority.
Want to switch from one open source tool to another? Usually straightforward. Want to switch from a proprietary tool? Good luck extracting your data and rebuilding your workflows.
Security through transparency
"Security through obscurity" is a myth that proprietary software companies love to perpetuate. In reality, open source software is more secure because thousands of developers can review the code, find vulnerabilities, and fix them quickly.
When a security issue is found in open source software, it gets patched fast and publicly. When a security issue is found in proprietary software, you might not even know about it until years later.
Innovation happens faster
Open source projects innovate at lightning speed because anyone can contribute. The best ideas win, regardless of corporate politics or profit margins. I've seen open source projects implement features that proprietary competitors took years to copy.
The collaborative nature of open source means that improvements come from users who actually need them, not from product managers trying to hit quarterly targets.
Cost is just the beginning
Yes, most open source software is free, but that's honestly the least important advantage. The real value is in the freedom, flexibility, and long-term sustainability.
I can modify open source tools to fit my exact needs. I can contribute back improvements that benefit everyone. I can learn from the code and become a better developer. Try doing any of that with proprietary software.
The network effect
The more people use open source software, the better it gets. More contributors, more testing, more features, more documentation. Proprietary software gets better only when the company decides to invest in it.
This is why projects like Linux, PostgreSQL, and Firefox have stood the test of time while countless proprietary alternatives have come and gone.
It's not perfect, but it's honest
Open source isn't without problems. Sometimes documentation is lacking, user interfaces can be rough, and support might be community-based rather than corporate. But at least these problems are visible and fixable.
Proprietary software has all the same problems, plus hidden ones you'll never know about until it's too late.
The choice is clear to me. Open source respects users, promotes innovation, and builds lasting value for everyone. Proprietary software serves shareholders first and users second.
That's why I choose open source whenever possible, and why I think you should too.