Software and apps
Open source
Software whose code is public and free to use, change and build on. Much of the modern web runs on it: WordPress, Node.js, React, PostgreSQL.
Why it matters for your business
Open source means no license fee, no single vendor who can shut you off, and many people checking for problems. It also means someone has to maintain and update it. Your tools are probably built on it even if you never hear the term.
In practice
A financial advisor's website is plain HTML and open source JavaScript hosted on Vercel. There is no platform fee and no vendor to lose, and any developer can pick it up.
Related terms
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