Open source software is an important tool for businesses of all sizes. You can use open source software to make your software development more efficient, to avoid vendor lock-in, and most importantly, open source lets you focus on your own business priorities. When successful companies adopt a wide range of open source tools in their technology stack, there is good reason behind it. Open source is important for any business model, from creating a simple website to developing complex applications that require clean architecture and integration with other systems.
Have you ever wondered what are great open source solutions for business? Business use will often have different needs to regular home users, so here are 5 open source tools that are great for business.
Odoo
This is an integrated open source business software that includes modules for project management, billing, accounting, manufacturing, inventory management, purchasing and billing. All of these modules communicate with one another seamlessly to ensure easy information exchange.
Pros:
- It makes ERP simple
- The interface looks much like Google Drive which means anyone can use it
- It is a web- based tool which makes it accessible on any device
Cons:
- The download version needs to be installed via source code which can be a little bit intimidating
Apache OFBiz
OFBiz is a Java-based multi-platform business package. It was developed by Apache Foundation. Its functionalities include accounting, CRM, enterprise, supply chain, and resource management.
The extensive online documentation and YouTube channel help the users get the best out of the software. Hence, it is a good choice for organizations with a small budget, or those that have customizability high on their priority list. It is compatible with any operating system that runs Java SDK, including Windows, Linux, OS X, and Unix.
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is a customizable internet browser and free open source software. It offers thousands of plugins that are accessible with a single click of your mouse.
The platform holds 3.98% of the worldwide browser market share and it is available for Android, iOS, Windows and Linux.
According to CNET, Mozilla reshaped the technology industry and fanned the flames of open source software that changed the way social networks and operating systems function.
ERPNext
This program was featured on Opensource.com as one of the best open source business software of the year. It is built specifically for small and mid-sized companies and comes with multiple modules that include accounting, managing inventory, purchase sales and project management.
Pros:
- It comes with numerous modules in one
- All the available modules integrate very well together
- The whole suite is very easy to use
Cons:
- Some modules are only available when you buy a subscription
iDempiere
iDempiere is a community-run project that finds its roots in ADempiere and Compiere. It contains CRM, ERP, and supply chain management solutions. It is a continuation of the iDempiere code but now includes the OSGi standards. It can handle multiple languages, currencies, accounting formats, organizations, so it’s a good option for international organizations with different sites.
The features offered include accounting, materials management, marketing, procurement, and sales. It is also Java-based but additionally requires PostgreSQL or Oracle databases. It is therefore compatible with Windows, OS X, and Linux.
Dolibarr
This is an open source business software that is tailored to help small and mid-sized business keep track of invoices, contacts, invoice orders and payments. It comes with a very easy to use and clean user interface.
Pros:
- It is use and comes with a lot of great modules that work very well together
- It has an online demo to help you test-drive before installation
Cons:
- There are some modules that will only work with purchased add-ons
Open-Source eCommerce Software
OpenCart
OpenCart is a free and open-source shopping cart that is easy to set up. It is most suited for small and medium-sized shops. It manages orders and supports different payment options, either in-app or through extensions. It also allows customers to write product reviews and ratings. Support is provided through the OpenCart community.
OpenCart can manage various shop locations. It allows administrators to set rigorous user permissions for users and user groups.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a complete office suite that offers presentations, documents, spreadsheets and databases.
Unlike Microsoft Office, which is not accessible for everyone due to its pricing model, LibreOffice is totally free.
To support it, its users can make donations when they download. So, it has a huge community of contributors.
It is available for Mac, Linux and Windows and it also has a live chat and a forum where you can turn to when searching for help.
CUBRID
This is an open source business software that is optimized for use on web applications. It offers a number of different features, each designed to help with data organization on your business. It is particularly useful when you have to keep track of large amounts of data and it is very easy to use.
Pros:
- It comes with multiple granularity locking
- An online backup ensures the safety of your data
- It has GUI tools for drivers for developmental languages
- Comes with 24/7 support
Cons:
- It doesn’t work with Apple systems
- It also doesn’t have a script debugger
PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a popular open-source eCommerce software option, due to its straightforward platform with many functionalities. It contains localization, marketing, product display, or export to eBay, taxes, and translation. Although the software is free to use, support and training are paid services.
GIMP
Another of the best open software source examples that is worth mentioning is the photo editing tool GIMP.
It offers similar features like some of the expensive tools on the market including various filters and effects, and yet it is free.
GIMP is available across different platforms including Windows and Linux and it has different 3d party plugins and customization options.
Plenty of illustrators, graphic designers and photographers use it to improve their pictures and enhance their work.
SuiteCRM
A comprehensive CRM package is the one offered by SuiteCRM. A real-time dashboard shows you the latest, most up-to-date figures, providing insights into your business’ cash flow and the status of active projects. You can handle your sales, customer service and marketing together in one place and can customise the layout tools and modular format to suit your purposes.
It’s easy to set up and works on almost any operating system, including Windows, OS/X, Ubuntu, Android and iOS. Its intuitive interface is one of the best in the field, making it one of the most accessible CRMs.
TaskJuggler
Easy to install and completely free, TaskJuggler offers a simplistic approach to complex projects. The project management tool comes with a set of libraries and command-line tools, capable of automatically planning individual tasks. It’s also particularly good at resolving conflicting situations, and you can enter specifications such as timelines for the project, resource assignment and a project budget.
It’s one of the more powerful software on the market, making it ideal for serious project managers. It includes a comprehensive range of features, including customisable reporting functions, cost and revenue planning and risk and communication management. The planning tools allow you to visualise a project before you begin and helps you map out the project based on time, cost and resources.
MariaDB
If you are looking for a much more advanced database management tool, this open source software is the one to choose. It is used by some of the biggest tech businesses including Google, Facebook and Wikipedia. As you probably can already guess, it is primarily designed for business that need to keep track of large databases.
Pros:
- It is highly scalable and easy to integrate with other services
- Offers real-time access
Cons:
- It is missing an optimizer trace
- It may not be easy to use especially for beginners
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is one of the most popular open source software examples that you can use for free.
This multimedia player is used for video, media and audio files and it plays discs, webcams, streams and devices. Most of the users use it for streaming podcasts as well.
It allows you to optimize your audio and video files for a particular hardware configuration and also offers a plethora of extensions and skins which allows you to create customized designs.
What’s more, it runs on different platforms such as Android, Mac OS X, Linux, Windows, iOS and more.
Linux
According to a Stack Overflow survey, 83.1% of developers claimed that Linux is the most wanted platform.
Linux is one of the most user-friendly open source software on the market. It is most commonly used on Android devices and desktops.
What makes this operating system different from the others is that it costs nothing and it is incredibly customizable.
Most companies also choose it because it is highly secure and offers excellent community support.
Blender
Blender is another of the best open source software examples of 2021.
It is a 3D graphics and animation tool that supports motion tracking, simulation, animation, video editing, rendering, modeling and much more.
It also offers a set of modeling tools and features including real-time viewpoint prereview, multi-resolution and support for Planar tracking and Tripod solvers.
Freedcamp
One of the most popular and robust project management software systems is Freedcamp. It offers a responsive, intuitive and smooth design which allows for easy navigation between projects and tasks. You can share your calendar with other team members, track timings and issues and you can access it on the go. It also gives you the option to integrate your Google Calendar, Google Drive and Dropbox.
Freedcamp targets everyone, from serious businesses and companies to members of the public looking to plan a weekend break with friends. This accessibility is reflected in its user-friendly style and design. Freedcamp is used in some of the biggest companies in the world, including Deloitte, Apple and Google.
Conclusion
If you’re running a business, you’re spending money and time on your technology. You want something that works, and works well. That’s why more and more small businesses are starting to trust open source rather than proprietary software when it comes to particular features of their business’ operations.”