What is Open Source?
Technology built on openness, collaboration and freedom of choice.
Open Source software gives organisations access to the source code behind the technology they use. This creates greater transparency, flexibility and control over how digital solutions are developed, integrated and operated.
Open Source explained
Open Source software means that the source code from which the software is created is open and accessible to everyone.
Compared to building a house, building a "proprietory house" would give you only the use of the house but no control over its maintenance, decoration or renovation, whereas building an "open source house" would give you not only the right of use but also all ground plans, blueprints, technical specifications and ultimate control and decision-making power for the house.
Granting access to all the code in software provides a number of benefits.
Why organisations choose Open Source
Open Source gives organisations greater flexibility, transparency and freedom to build digital solutions around their needs.
Better services
Open Source allows organisations to choose service providers based on expertise, quality and value rather than software ownership. This creates opportunities to work with specialists who understand the technology and can help you get the most from it.
Greater flexibility
With access to the source code and open interfaces, organisations can adapt, integrate and extend software to meet changing requirements. This makes it easier to connect existing systems and develop solutions without being limited by a single vendor's roadmap.
Lower total cost
Many Open Source solutions can be used without traditional licence fees. While implementation, hosting, support and maintenance still involve costs, organisations can invest more of their budget in the services and expertise that create real value.
Freedom of choice
Open Source reduces dependency on individual software vendors. Organisations can choose where to host their solutions, who operates them and which partners they work with – while retaining greater control over their technology and future decisions.
The future is open
Open Source software gives you freedom.
It brings together developers, organisations and communities that continuously improve and develop technology. Instead of relying entirely on one company's development team, Open Source projects can benefit from contributions, testing and ideas from people around the world.
This collaborative approach helps technologies evolve, encourages innovation and gives organisations access to solutions that can be adapted to new challenges.
Take the next step towards digital sovereignty
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Explore your path to digital sovereignty
Discover how Redpill Linpro helps organisations reduce IT dependencies, explore Open Source alternatives and build a practical roadmap towards greater digital control.
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About Redpill Linpro
Redpill Linpro is the leading provider of Open Source services and solutions in the Nordics.
Open Source has been at the heart of Redpill Linpro for more than 20 years. With around 300 specialists across Sweden, Norway and Denmark, we help organisations build, integrate and operate secure and sustainable digital solutions.
Our expertise spans cloud, infrastructure, integration, data and digital collaboration. We work with Open Source technologies every day, contribute to the ecosystem and use them as the foundation for our own services, including Redpill Linpro Nordic Cloud.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Many Open Source solutions can be used without licence fees, but Open Source does not necessarily mean that everything is free of charge. Organisations may still pay for hosting, implementation, maintenance, support or enterprise subscriptions. The term Open Source refers primarily to the rights provided by the software licence, not its price.
Open Source software can be highly secure, but security depends on how the software is developed, maintained, configured and operated. Publicly available source code allows independent review and security testing, while regular updates, vulnerability management and responsible operations remain essential.
The main difference is access to and control over the source code. Open Source licences allow users to inspect, modify and share software under defined conditions. Proprietary software generally restricts these rights and places greater control with the software vendor.
Yes. Open Source technologies are widely used in enterprise environments, including cloud infrastructure, databases, application platforms and integration systems. Organisations can combine Open Source software with professional implementation, support and managed services to meet requirements for performance, security and reliability.
Let's build something better with Open Source
Every organisation has different needs and challenges. Whether you're exploring Open Source alternatives, looking to reduce vendor dependency or planning your next digital initiative, we're here to help you find the right way forward.
Fredrik Svensson
Chief Business Development Officer