Open Source Debate

The cluster centers on debates about the importance of open source software, user preferences for OSS alternatives over proprietary options, and criticisms of non-open source tools.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Open Source
6,345
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#2481
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
8
2008
53
2009
85
2010
152
2011
161
2012
208
2013
280
2014
281
2015
247
2016
340
2017
356
2018
335
2019
402
2020
405
2021
545
2022
546
2023
665
2024
596
2025
619
2026
61

Keywords

CBA OSX IMO OP SAAS OSS API GUI open source source open source like use open closed source oss closed use open source free open source

Sample Comments

sametmax Apr 14, 2023 View on HN

If it's not open source, it's not free enough to make a difference.

j45 May 23, 2024 View on HN

An open source option isn't a bad thing.

suyash Sep 16, 2022 View on HN

Why can't we just have an open source version which is as good if not better?

flying_colours Jun 9, 2022 View on HN

Partially. A big issue is cause its open source, they feel like I should give it away fro free.

GardenLetter27 Apr 24, 2025 View on HN

Be thankful they are open source at all. See OpenAI for the alternative.

rhinoceraptor Apr 27, 2020 View on HN

It’s open source if that makes you reconsider. It’s definitely worth supporting them IMO.

weavie Jun 3, 2015 View on HN

It's open source. More like, embrace, extend... their pull requests get declined.

hbaav6 Jul 2, 2018 View on HN

How is this comparable when most of those aren’t open source

netr0ute Oct 23, 2023 View on HN

Why not make it free and open source?

josephcsible Jul 4, 2023 View on HN

Doesn't real Open Source solve that problem just as well?