What is the Difference Between Freeware and Open Source?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Freeware and open source software are two distinct concepts, each with its own set of characteristics and philosophies. Here are the main differences between them:
- Definition: Freeware is cost-free software that is copyrighted, meaning it is available at no cost but still maintains its copyright. Open source software, on the other hand, is both free and publicly available to use, modify, repackage, and redistribute with no limitations.
- Philosophy: Free software, which is often associated with open source software, is developed with the goal of promoting freedom and giving users complete control over the software. Open-source software is developed with the goal of producing high-quality software that can be used and improved by anyone.
- Access to Source Code: Freeware does not necessarily provide access to the source code, while open-source software allows users to access, modify, and distribute the source code.
- Modification and Distribution: Freeware may have limitations on modification and distribution, whereas open-source software allows users to modify and distribute the software without restrictions.
- Examples: Examples of freeware include the LibreOffice suite and the Firefox browser. Examples of open-source software include the Linux operating system, the Apache web server, and the MySQL database management system.
In summary, freeware is cost-free software with copyright restrictions, while open-source software is both free and allows users to access, modify, and distribute the source code without limitations. The philosophies behind these two types of software differ, with free software focusing on promoting freedom and control for users and open-source software focusing on producing high-quality software through collaboration.
Comparative Table: Freeware vs Open Source
Here is a table comparing the differences between freeware and open source:
Feature | Freeware | Open Source |
---|---|---|
Cost | Free to use | Free to use and modify |
License | Proprietary, often restricted usage | Copyleft or permissive open-source licenses |
Copyright | Retained by the developer | Shared with the community |
Source Code | May or may not be available | Available and modifiable |
Distribution | Can be restricted | Can be modified and redistributed |
Usage | Often used by individuals or small businesses | Popular in online repositories and large-scale projects |
Examples | Free antivirus software, Adobe Reader | Linux kernel, Apache web server, LibreOffice |
Developers | Usually developed by independent developers in their spare time | Developed by a collaborative community |
Freeware and open source are not mutually exclusive. In fact, many free software projects are also considered open-source software projects. The main difference between the two is that open-source software focuses on providing access to the source code and allowing modifications and redistribution, while freeware is copyrighted and may not provide access to the source code or allow modifications and redistribution.
- Open Source vs Proprietary Software
- Freeware vs Shareware
- LibreOffice vs OpenOffice
- Ubuntu vs Linux
- MS Office vs Open Office
- Microsoft Windows vs Linux
- GPL vs LGPL
- Open Source Android Operating System (OS) Versions
- Source Code vs Object Code
- UNIX vs LINUX
- Hardware vs Software
- Software vs Firmware
- System Software vs Application Software
- Ubuntu vs Debian
- Source Code vs Bytecode
- Installable vs Portable Softwares
- Netbeans vs Eclipse
- Gnome vs KDE
- Linux File System vs Windows File System