Why Should You Use Open Source Software? (Infographic)

In recent years, open source software has exploded into prominence. In 1998, only 10 percent of businesses made use of open source software. By 2011, that figure had grown to 50 percent. Today, the percentage is even higher; nearly 80 percent of businesses use open source software. When you consider the myriad benefits of such programs, it is easy to see why they are used so widely. Not only are they free, but they are also functional.

WordPress open source software

Did you know that WordPress is an open source platform? Boasting 140 million downloads, this is by far the most popular CMS on the web. It offers 4,000 free themes and 45,000 free plugins. Businesses and bloggers who know how to use WordPress can create beautiful websites that consumers flock to. WordPress isn’t the only major player in the open source game, however. Joomla and Drupal are also open source website creation platforms that offer a vast array of plugins and themes. Even the offerings from these platforms that cost money tend to be more affordable than comparable tools from non-open source systems.

Every open source website creation tool offers unique advantages; you shouldn’t choose WordPress simply because it is the most popular. By comparing the tools of each platform and carefully considering what you want your website to accomplish, you can pick the open source tool that is best for you.

Do you want to learn more about the benefits of open source software? Check out the infographic below.

Open source software benefits - infographic