Open source does not mean free, but is closely associated with free software. Almost any conceivable piece of feature or functionality is available as open source. From content management applications to blogging applications, from operating systems to full features development environments, all are available as open source alternatives to traditional mostly expensive software. What is more note worthy is that the open source model lends itself to rapid improvements and great simplifications due to the involvement of active developer communities.

 Today mojority of start-ups on the internet use open source software to create compelling applications in a short time and keep continualy improving them, there by competing with even large well-established software houses in niche markets. Even large enterprises supported by IBM and the likes are using open source software for their business needs.