What Is The Difference Between A CMS Free Tier And Open Source?
BeginnerQuick Answer
TL;DR
A CMS free tier is a no-cost entry level of a commercial, vendor-hosted platform — you get limited usage for free, but the software is proprietary and runs on the vendor's infrastructure. Open source means the software's source code is publicly available and free to use, modify, and self-host, but you're responsible for your own infrastructure and maintenance. Both are "free" in different senses, with very different implications for cost, control, and flexibility.
Key Takeaways
- "Free tier" = free to use up to a usage limit on a vendor's hosted platform; the software itself is proprietary.
- "Open source" = free to use, modify, and distribute the software; you manage your own hosting and maintenance.
- Open source is not free to run — hosting, security, and developer time add real costs.
- Free tiers are not free forever — they convert to paid plans when you exceed usage limits or need enterprise features.
- The right choice depends on your technical capacity, control requirements, and long-term cost tolerance.