Open vs Closed Source, Which is Better?

Open vs Closed Source

The most talked about conversation of open source is whether having a closed off system is better than having an open one. The most used example is iOS vs Android. iOS is a closed off system which is updated only by Apple. Apple is the only manufacturer that makes iOS electronics and they are the ones that dictate which direction it can go. Android on the other hand is an open system meaning that there are multiple manufacturers who makes phones with the Android operating system and the companies can dictate what skins they want on their version of the Android system.

Proliferation of Android Phones on Sale

Open Source Disadvantages and Advantages Chart for Android

Disadvantages	Advantages
No cohesive feeling between manufacturers, due to the many iterations.	Gives developers more of an ability to change the system to their liking.
Updates are less likely to be updated in accordance with when Google releases software updates since there are many iterations.	Direction in which the operating system goes is dictated by the community of developers.
	Google keeps track of forums such as XDA-Developers where individual developers release patches of their own of Google’s software.

Family line of Apple iPhone's.

Closed Off System Disadvantages and Advantages Chart for iOS

Disadvantages	Advantages
No variations are possible even if the user wants it.	Seamless experience for the end-user across phones from Apple.
Less control for developers to optimize their system.	Updates are timely and within days of when Apple releases their updates.
	Copycats will have a harder time trying to build their own software for iOS.

End-user has more options to pick from, from this competition.

The end result of the open vs closed source battle is what the end-user wants. More competition is good for the market since that gives rise to better innovation. Within Android’s ecosystem, manufacturers are constantly battling each other for who has the better phone. This results in a proliferation of Android phones which lets the user pick what they want. This proliferation can be seen as good or bad because while this helps keep the market competitive, this sometimes results in phones that have the same specifications but slightly different operating systems. The user does not benefit from this because innovation is not occurring, only confusion. iOS on the other hand has one iteration, but at least the end-user is not confused by it. In the end, the battle is not between open vs closed systems, the choice is for the end-user to decide on what they want to use.