MG Software.
HomeAboutServicesPortfolioBlogCalculator
Contact Us
  1. Home
  2. /Knowledge Base
  3. /What is Open Source? - Definition & Meaning

What is Open Source? - Definition & Meaning

Learn what open source is, how licenses like MIT and Apache work, and why open source forms the foundation of modern software development.

Open source software (OSS) is software whose source code is freely available and may be viewed, modified, and distributed. Licenses define the terms. The model encourages collaboration and transparency.

What is What is Open Source? - Definition & Meaning?

Open source software (OSS) is software whose source code is freely available and may be viewed, modified, and distributed. Licenses define the terms. The model encourages collaboration and transparency.

How does What is Open Source? - Definition & Meaning work technically?

Licenses: MIT, Apache 2.0 (permissive), GPL (copyleft). Platforms: GitHub, npm. OSS basis of Linux, Node.js, React, PostgreSQL. Companies contribute via bugfixes and sponsorships.

How does MG Software apply What is Open Source? - Definition & Meaning in practice?

MG Software builds on open source: React, Next.js, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Supabase. We publish open source libraries where possible and contribute to projects we use. It accelerates development and reduces costs.

What are some examples of What is Open Source? - Definition & Meaning?

  • A company using React and Next.js for their product and contributing changes back to the community.
  • An internal tool published as an MIT-licensed package on GitHub for reuse in other projects.
  • A SaaS with an open source core and closed source enterprise features for monetization.

Related terms

typescriptreactnodejsapi

Further reading

Knowledge BaseWhat is Git? - Definition & MeaningWhat is PostgreSQL? - Definition & MeaningBest Discord Alternatives 2026Best Strapi Alternatives 2026

Related articles

What is Git? - Definition & Meaning

Learn what Git is, how version control works, and why Git is the most widely used version control system for software development. Discover branches, commits, and more.

What is PostgreSQL? - Definition & Meaning

Learn what PostgreSQL is, why it’s the most popular open-source relational database, and how it compares to alternatives.

Best Discord Alternatives 2026

Discover the best Discord alternatives for 2026. Compare Slack, Guilded, TeamSpeak, Revolt and Element on communication, community features and pricing.

Best Strapi Alternatives 2026

Discover the best Strapi alternatives for 2026. Compare Payload CMS, Directus, Sanity, Contentful and KeystoneJS on flexibility, API capabilities and pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, with permissive licenses (MIT, Apache) you may use OSS commercially, including in closed source products. GPL requires derivatives to also be open if you distribute them.
Free means no cost. Open source means the source code is accessible and modifiable. Much OSS is free, but not all free software is open source.
To attract talent, build community, improve reputation, and reduce maintenance through external contributions. It can also be a strategy to increase adoption.

Can I use open source commercially?

Yes, with permissive licenses (MIT, Apache) you may use OSS commercially, including in closed source products. GPL requires derivatives to also be open if you distribute them.

What is the difference between free and open source?

Free means no cost. Open source means the source code is accessible and modifiable. Much OSS is free, but not all free software is open source.

Why would a company make something open source?

To attract talent, build community, improve reputation, and reduce maintenance through external contributions. It can also be a strategy to increase adoption.

We work with this daily

The same expertise you're reading about, we put to work for clients.

Discover what we can do

Related articles

What is Git? - Definition & Meaning

Learn what Git is, how version control works, and why Git is the most widely used version control system for software development. Discover branches, commits, and more.

What is PostgreSQL? - Definition & Meaning

Learn what PostgreSQL is, why it’s the most popular open-source relational database, and how it compares to alternatives.

Best Discord Alternatives 2026

Discover the best Discord alternatives for 2026. Compare Slack, Guilded, TeamSpeak, Revolt and Element on communication, community features and pricing.

Best Strapi Alternatives 2026

Discover the best Strapi alternatives for 2026. Compare Payload CMS, Directus, Sanity, Contentful and KeystoneJS on flexibility, API capabilities and pricing.

MG Software
MG Software
MG Software.

MG Software builds custom software, websites and AI solutions that help businesses grow.

© 2026 MG Software B.V. All rights reserved.

NavigationServicesPortfolioAbout UsContactBlogCalculator
ResourcesKnowledge BaseComparisonsAlternativesExamplesToolsRefront
LocationsHaarlemAmsterdamThe HagueEindhovenBredaAmersfoortAll locations
IndustriesLegalEnergyHealthcareE-commerceLogisticsAll industries