Hi HN,
I'm a non-technical founder.
I've built a couple of SaaS companies, many products, etc. Some failed, some allow me to conduct my living.
I'm non-technical so please consider you're explaining this to a Neanderthal:
What's the deal with this increasing trend of open-source SaaS companies?
Sure I know of WordPress and what have you - but what's the implication of e.g. Cal dot com, who's a Calendly alternative, but it's open source and it's clearly a business?
For instance, is it that:
• people contribute to it (since it's open-source) and the founders can therefore build a better product...
• ...whilst the PEOPLE also get a better free product, if they so choose to run it on their instance?
Is the above true? Because if so, I get it - it's a win-win, and the founders "tap into" a bigger pool of "effort", if that makes sense.
What other implications are there? Thanks so much.
I'm a non-technical founder.
I've built a couple of SaaS companies, many products, etc. Some failed, some allow me to conduct my living.
I'm non-technical so please consider you're explaining this to a Neanderthal:
What's the deal with this increasing trend of open-source SaaS companies?
Sure I know of WordPress and what have you - but what's the implication of e.g. Cal dot com, who's a Calendly alternative, but it's open source and it's clearly a business?
For instance, is it that: • people contribute to it (since it's open-source) and the founders can therefore build a better product... • ...whilst the PEOPLE also get a better free product, if they so choose to run it on their instance?
Is the above true? Because if so, I get it - it's a win-win, and the founders "tap into" a bigger pool of "effort", if that makes sense.
What other implications are there? Thanks so much.