Choice #2: Open Source vs. Proprietary
Software can be offered in two models: open source or proprietary software.
Open source software features a publicly shared source code, allowing users to view, edit and maintain software products. Open source software can be privately created and then turned over to the open source community, or it can be built in a crowd-sourced method.
Proprietary software is privately built, owned and maintained by a software company. Users are forced to pay a fee or buy a subscription in order to use proprietary software.
Developers are split on which type of software they prefer. Open source products tend to have a variety of plugins, strong documentation and vibrant user communities. Users also point to open source's no-cost model as being cost-effective for smaller teams.
Proprietary software users prefer a proprietary product's private repositories, dedicated support teams and routine product upkeep that doesn't rely on an external community.
What this means for software providers: Open source and proprietary software users tend to be defined subsets of the development community. Knowing an audience can help software providers target their products to customers' preferences.
What this means for software buyers: Defining needs for a development project such as budget, community, privacy and dedicated support teams helps to make the open-source and proprietary software buying decision.