Open Source

The term "open source" refers to something people can modify and share because its design is publicly accessible.

Open Source software encourages others to understand how something works exactly because the inner workings of the program are published. Depending on the license used, one may also be allowed to run, modify and distribute the work.

Using Open Source, you can check that the program does not execute something on your device you do not want; like surveilling your activities or stealing your computational power for its own purposes.

Examples include Firefox and Python.

Free Software

Free software developers guarantee (...) (that) any user can study the source code, modify it, and share the program.

Free Software guarantees the rights to run, modify and distribute the work and requires that all users of the derivatives are granted the same rights (called Copyleft).

Using Free Software, you are allowed to adapt it to your needs; like adding functionality critical to your workflows. Due to the Copyleft, your can additionally be sure your work will benefit all furture users of the software in the same way.

Examples include VLC Media Player and Linux.

Proprietary Software

Only the original authors of proprietary software can legally copy, inspect, and alter that software. To use proprietary software, computer users must agree (...) that they will not do anything with the software that the software's authors have not expressly permitted.

Proprietary Software severely restricts how users can interact with the software running on their device and does not allow them to read, modify or distribute its source code.

Using Proprietary Software, you are in danger to lose functionality critical to your workflow (because the owner chose not to provide it anymore), to no longer being able to open your files (because the filetype is no longer supported) or to pay excessive license fees (because there are no comparable alternatives).

Examples include Windows and iOS.