Major Differences Between Open Source Software And Proprietary Software

Open source software is the right option for e-learning and teaching in academic and business organizations. As technology is continuously changing, open source software is becoming challenging in e-learning and on line training sectors. The learning management systems (LMS), learning content management systems (LCMS) and course ware libraries are involved in the growth of the open source software.

The open source comes with the source code. Where as proprietary software comes without the source code. The major difference between open source software and proprietary software is the commercial support. The commercial support of proprietary source software is compulsory. But the commercial support of open source software is optional.

Open source software is low cost, where as proprietary software is costly. The proprietary software can be regularly and easily updated. The open source software involves erratic updates. The advantage of proprietary software is professional support and training available and the disadvantage is having closed standards that obstruct further development. The advantage of open source software is no license fee and having open standards that facilitates integration with other systems. And the disadvantage is lack of professional support.