Why Open Source Software Could Be the Best Business Decision You Make This Year

Every month, thousands of freelancers and small business owners across the UK and Europe pay hundreds of pounds in software subscriptions. A bit for cloud storage, a bit for invoicing, a bit for analytics, a bit for project management. Individually, each one seems reasonable. Together, they quietly drain your budget.

But here’s what most people don’t realise: for nearly every subscription you’re paying for, there’s a free, open source alternative that does the same job. Often better. And switching to it could save you 50 to 80 percent on your software costs.

What Is Open Source Software?

Open source software is built by communities of developers who make the code freely available for anyone to use, modify and share. There are no licence fees and no per-user charges. Projects like Nextcloud, Matomo and Invoice Ninja are maintained by thousands of contributors worldwide and used by millions of people, from individuals to governments.

The software itself is free. The only cost is hosting it somewhere, which is where managed hosting services come in, making these tools accessible to people who don’t want to run their own servers.

The Hidden Cost of SaaS

SaaS subscriptions are convenient. You sign up, enter your card details and start using the tool. But that convenience comes at a price beyond the monthly fee — and those fees keep climbing.

Most SaaS platforms store your data on their servers, usually in the United States. You’re trusting a third party with your client records, financial data, communications and files. You have limited control over how that data is used, who can access it and what happens to it if the company changes its terms, gets acquired or shuts down.

You’re also locked in. Moving your data out of a SaaS platform is often deliberately difficult. The longer you stay, the harder it becomes to leave, and the easier it is for them to raise prices.

Why Your Data Matters More Than You Think

For any business handling client information, data ownership isn’t just a preference. It’s a responsibility. Under GDPR, you’re accountable for where your customers’ data is stored and how it’s processed. If your SaaS provider stores data outside Europe, you may be creating compliance risks without even knowing it.

Hosting open source apps on European infrastructure puts you back in control. Your data stays in Europe, on servers governed by European law. No third-party data mining. No ambiguous terms of service. No surprises.

The Practical Benefits

Beyond cost savings and data control, open source software gives you flexibility that SaaS platforms simply can’t match. There are no artificial limits on users, storage or features. You’re not paying more because your team grew by one person. You’re not locked into annual contracts or penalised for downgrading.

And because the code is open, the software is constantly audited and improved by its community. Security vulnerabilities are found and fixed quickly, often faster than in proprietary software.

Making the Switch

Moving away from SaaS doesn’t have to be complicated. Managed hosting services now make it possible to run open source apps with no technical knowledge at all. You get the same convenience you’re used to, with lower costs, stronger privacy and genuine ownership of your data.

The tools are ready. The savings are real. The only question is how long you keep overpaying.