When free software isn’t free

Yes, CiviCRM is free, as are Drupal and WordPress. Free to use, and free to modify as you need.

But as with everything, it's worth taking a moment to count the total cost of ownership, compare that to the actual value you're getting, and make sure it's worth it. And then, to prepare for healthy system maintenance by budgeting appropriately.

Ownership costs of for open-source software could include:

• Security maintenance

• Hosting fees

• Bug fixes

• Staff training

• Member support

And that's just to work with it out-of-the-box. If you want to customize it, or use it in creative ways that are unique to your organization, you'll naturally have some custom development cost as well.

Here’s the thing:

Most organizations who rely on open-source software are very happy with it. I love it and my clients love it.

If you’re making sure to count the cost of ownership, budgeting for good maintenance, and making smart value comparisons, then you’re in a good spot. If not, slow down a moment and consider what you’re trying to achieve.

All the best,
A.