1. 开源软件：
开源软件是指源代码是开放的，意味着普通大众可以访问和使用的计算机软件。简而言之，它被称为OSS。开源软件的源代码是公开的。它使用 Internet 上免费提供的代码。此代码可由其他用户和组织修改，这意味着源代码可供任何人查看。开源软件的价格非常低，没有那么多基于可用性和软件修改的用户限制。
一些开源软件的例子有 Firefox、OpenOffice、Gimp、Alfresco、Android、Zimbra、Thunderbird、MySQL、Mailman、Moodle、TeX、Samba、Perl、 PHP、KDE 等。
2. 闭源软件：
封闭源软件是指源代码关闭意味着公众无法访问源代码的计算机软件。简而言之，它被称为 CSS。在闭源软件中，源代码受到保护。创建该软件的唯一个人或组织只能对其进行更改。闭源软件价格高昂，用户需要拥有有效且经过身份验证的许可才能使用该软件。由于颁发了经过身份验证的许可证，因此它也根据软件的可用性和修改对用户施加了很多限制。
一些闭源软件的例子是 Skype、谷歌地球、 Java、Adobe Flash、Virtual Box、Adobe Reader、Microsoft office、Microsoft Windows、WinRAR、mac OS、Adobe Flash Player 等。
开源软件和闭源软件的区别：
| S.No. | OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE | CLOSED SOURCE SOFTWARE |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | Open source software refers to the computer software which source is open means the general public can access and use. | Closed source software refers to the computer software which source code is closes means public is not given access to the source code. |
| 02. | Open Source Software in short also referred as OSS. | Closed Source Software in short also referred as CSS. |
| 03. | The source code of open source software is public. | In closed source software the source code is protected. |
| 04. | This code can be modified by other users and organizations means that the source code is available for anyone to look at. | The only individual or organization who has created the software can only modify the code. |
| 05. | The price of open source software is very less. | The price of closed source software is high. |
| 06. | There is no so much restrictions on users based on usability and modification of software. | There is so much restrictions on users based on usability and modification of software. |
| 07. | Programmers compete with each other for recognition. | Programmers do not compete with each other for recognition. |
| 08. | Programmers freely provide improvement for recognition if their improvement is accepted. | Programmers are hired by the software firm/organization to improve the software. |
| 09. | If the program is popular then very large number of programmers may work on the project. | There is a limitation on the number of programmers/team who will work on the project. |
| 10. | It is purchased with its source code. | It is not purchased with its source code. |
| 11. | Open software can be installed into any computer. | Closed software needs have a valid license before installation into any computer. |
| 12. | Open source software fails fast and fix faster. | Closed source software has no room for failure. |
| 13. | In closed source software no one is responsible for the software. | In closed source software the vendor is responsible if anything happened to software. |
| 14. | Examples are Firefox, OpenOffice, Gimp, Alfresco, Android, Zimbra, Thunderbird, MySQL, Mailman, Moodle, TeX, Samba, Perl, PHP, KDE etc. | Examples are Skype, Google earth, Java, Adobe Flash, Virtual Box, Adobe Reader, Microsoft office, Microsoft Windows, WinRAR, mac OS, Adobe Flash Player etc. |