The Eternal Battle Between Open-Source and Closed-Source CMS: What It Is and How They Differ

What is an open-source system?

Open-source systems are those whose source code is publicly available. This means that anyone can review, modify, adapt, and distribute it. The philosophy of the open-source movement is based on the belief that transparency is key to innovation, security, and technological development. The most well-known examples of such systems for websites and online stores are WordPress (with the WooCommerce plugin for e-commerce), Joomla!, Drupal, and Magento.

Advantages of open-source systems

Low initial costs are certainly the first and most obvious advantage. The basic software is usually free, which is attractive for small businesses and startups. However, this is only part of the story; development, customization, and maintenance costs are often significantly higher than they initially appear.

Great flexibility is the second key advantage. If you lack some functionality, you can find it in existing plugins or order its development from a developer.

Large community is the third advantage. An extensive user and developer base means a lot of support on forums and online.

Disadvantages of open-source systems

However, open-source systems also have their dark sides. Security risks are serious. Because the code is publicly available, it can also be reviewed by hackers and security researchers. Although this is also an advantage (more eyes see more), it also means that open-source systems are often more exposed to attacks if they are not updated regularly.

Required regular maintenance is the second major disadvantage. Core and plugin updates are essential for security and functionality, which requires time and technical knowledge. Many companies underestimate this and then find themselves with an old, vulnerable system that no one maintains.

Hidden costs are the third disadvantage. Although the base is free, paid plugins, themes, and developer costs can quickly add up. What starts as a cheap solution can quickly turn into an expensive project.

Performance issues are the fourth disadvantage. A large number of plugins you install can slow down your website. Each plugin adds a bit of code, a bit of database, a bit of requests – and suddenly your site is as slow as a snail.

 

What is a closed-source system?

Closed-source systems are a product of one company that owns the source code and carefully protects it. Only the developers of that company have access to the code and are responsible for development, maintenance, and security. Users of the system typically pay a license fee for use, or the cost is included in the price of website development. Examples of such systems are Shopify, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Shopsy, and a system developed in Slovenia – Minitron.

Closed-source systems are often the result of years of development and experience. Companies that develop them have invested thousands of euros in research, testing, and optimization. This is evident in the quality, stability, and reliability of the system.

The specialty of custom-built systems

One of the key advantages of closed-source systems, especially those developed specifically for a particular company, is that although development takes longer at the beginning, since functionality is not added simply by installing plugins, later there is no need for constant updates that could cause incompatibility or security holes. The system simply works.

At the initial meeting, all desired functionalities are precisely defined, and they can later be upgraded and expanded without limitations. This allows complete adaptation to your business processes, without being limited to what some generic system offers.

The difference is in the approach: while open-source systems work on the principle of "plug and play," custom closed-source systems work on the principle of "build it right once." The first is faster, the second is more stable and reliable.

Advantages of closed-source systems

High level of security is the first advantage. Because the code is not publicly available, it is much harder to find and exploit security vulnerabilities. Only internal developers have access to the code and can review it. This doesn't mean the system is impenetrable, but it is certainly more secure than publicly available code.

Professional support is the second advantage. Users have access to a dedicated support team that quickly and efficiently resolves issues. You are not left to your own devices or hoping that someone on a forum will answer your question.

Reliability and stability is the third advantage. The system is developed as a whole, which ensures optimal performance and mutual compatibility of all modules. There are no unexpected interactions between plugins because all parts of the system are planned together.

Ease of use is the fourth advantage. Interfaces are often more intuitive and adapted to less technically savvy users. Because the system is developed with a specific purpose, it can be more focused and easier to use.

Disadvantages of closed-source systems

Higher initial costs are the first disadvantage. License fees or development costs are usually higher than open-source alternatives. However, this is often an investment that pays off in long-term stability and reduced maintenance costs.

Customization options are limited to what the developer offers. If you lack some functionality that is not in the system, you will have to order its development or ask the provider if they have already developed that functionality.

 

Theory versus practice: the myth of project portability

One of the often-mentioned advantages of open-source systems is that work on a project can be taken over by another developer or agency at any time. In theory, this is true, but practice shows a different picture. Each developer has their own coding style, uses different plugins, and approaches to problem-solving. When a new agency takes over an existing website, they often face incomprehensible code, incompatible plugins, and security holes.

Analyzing and fixing these issues can take longer and cost more than building a completely new website. Therefore, web service providers rarely decide to take over existing websites. They prefer to start over, on a clean foundation, because only this way can they guarantee the quality, security, and optimal performance that they stand behind with their name.

 

The paradox of open-source systems: when open-source is actually closed

One of the greatest ironies in the world of open-source systems is that programmers developing them often resort to writing custom code that is specific to individual projects. This means that although the basis of the system is open-source and publicly available, a large part of the functionality that is actually intended for your business is written as proprietary code that only the developer who wrote it understands.

This is a paradox that many companies do not understand until they find themselves in a situation where they need to change a developer or agency. Then it turns out that this "open-source" system has actually become a closed package that is difficult to understand, and even more difficult to maintain or upgrade. Is this good practice? Of course not. Does it happen? Every day.

This is why web service providers rarely decide to take over existing websites, especially if they were developed with an open-source system and full of custom code. It is better to start from scratch with a clean, well-planned system than to deal with the chaos left by the previous developer.
 

What do we offer at MMStudio?

At MMStudio, we understand that the decision between open-source and closed-source systems is not simple. Therefore, we offer something different – a partnership approach where we together determine which system best suits your specific needs.

Our team has extensive experience with both types of systems – both open-source (WordPress, WooCommerce, Drupal, Magento) and closed-source (Shopify, Shopsy, and our own Minitron). This means we are not biased, but objectively advise you on which solution will truly be best for your business.

When you come to us, you won't get an automatic answer: "You need WordPress" or "You need Minitron." Instead, we will together:

- Analyze your needs: what functionalities do you need? What is your budget? How much technical knowledge do you have?
- Evaluate both approaches: we will show you how your website would look with an open-source system and how it would look with a closed-source system.
- Compare advantages and disadvantages: we will explain to you which advantages and disadvantages are relevant to your specific situation.

The decision is yours, and we support you with our professional opinion and more than 15 years of experience in building web solutions.


Check out our references