For Free or Not for Free… Should Your Small Business Rely on Free Software?

With the emergence of free and open source software, many small business owners and budding entrepreneurs may have relished the thought of saving money on software licensing fees. Several of these free alternatives, such as Open Office, Adobe Photoshop Express, Firefox, AVG Free Antivirus, and a collection of PDF generators, already have an extensive user base and a proven track record of performance and usability. And that list is only expected to grow as more applications, such as GnuCash free accounting software, evolve over time and usage.

But not always is the free alternative the better or more practical solution when it comes to running a small business. When deciding whether to purchase software or use a free program, there are three things that you should consider:

1. Do you need support? One advantage that licensed software has over free applications is customer support. Without it, it will be up to you to properly install the program onto your computer, handle any glitches, and answer any questions about integrating the software into your business practices.

2. Does it suit the needs of your business? Licensed software also tends to be more practical solution since it generally comes with a fuller range of features. Photoshop Express may be a good option if you only intend to use it to touch up the occasional photo. But if your business depends on image editing then it may be worth it for you to purchase Photoshop CS3.

3. Will it effect your image? The other thing that you will have to consider is if your customers will be exposed to this software and how it will come across to them. Some free software, for example, comes with advertisements.

Whether you decide to go with licensed or free software, or some combination of the two, there is no doubt that small businesses can benefit from many free applications. For an up-to-date, searchable list of free and open source software, check out this free software catalog.