Open source in SMBs: 5 myths to drop
Security, support, complexity, hidden costs, longevity: the most common objections to open source in business, and what the reality is.
Open source powers a large part of the Internet, from the servers of major companies to Android phones. Yet in many small businesses, it still has the image of a makeshift tool. Let's go through the most common myths.
1. "Open source isn't secure"
The code is public, so anyone can read it, including thousands of developers who spot and fix vulnerabilities. The major projects (Nextcloud, Mattermost, Odoo) publish security fixes regularly.
What really matters is how the tool is installed and maintained: updates applied, backups, protected access. Poorly configured paid software is no safer.
2. "There's no support"
Serious projects have complete documentation, a large community and often a paid support offering from the vendor. And you can entrust support to a provider who knows your setup, which is often more responsive than an anonymous help centre.
3. "It's too complicated for our teams"
Modern open source tools look like their paid equivalents: Mattermost like Slack, Nextcloud like Google Drive, Twenty like today's CRMs. The difficulty is not the interface but the installation and maintenance, which don't concern the users.
4. "It's free, so there must be a hidden cost"
The licence is free, but you need a server, backups and someone to look after it. That cost exists, and you should count it honestly. The difference: it is fixed, whereas a SaaS licence goes up with every hire and every price increase.
5. "The project could disappear overnight"
This is actually the opposite of the SaaS risk. If a SaaS vendor shuts down, changes its prices or discontinues a plan, you have no choice. With open source, the code and your data stay in your hands: the tool keeps running, and someone else can take it over.
In summary
Open source is not the answer to everything, and some industry-specific software has no serious equivalent. But for everyday tools, it is a mature option, provided it is properly installed and properly maintained.
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