Is Linux really free?

Linux® is indeed available free of charge, but the total cost for companies goes far beyond license fees. While you do not need to purchase software licenses, costs arise for support, training, migration, and professional services. The true cost of Linux & open-source software lies in implementation and ongoing operations—not in the software itself.

What does “free” mean for Linux and open-source software?

Linux is available free of license fees, which means you do not need to purchase software licenses. “Free” refers to the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software. In open-source software, “free” means freedom, not free operation. Nevertheless, Linux is distributed under a license that is legally valid in Germany and the EU as well. More about open-source licenses in another article.

The term “free” in the open-source world has two meanings: free as in “free speech” and free as in “free beer.” Linux & open-source software gives you the freedom to view, adapt, and distribute the source code. These freedoms fundamentally distinguish open source from proprietary software, where you only acquire usage rights.

However, being license-free does not mean that operating Linux systems does not incur costs. Companies need qualified administrators, security updates, documentation, and often professional support for business-critical applications. In principle, open-source solutions are also conceivable where a usage fee must be paid. Open source practically always refers to unrestricted availability of the source code and permission to make changes. This is what distinguishes “true” open source from solutions that publish only parts of the code or make the code available for viewing only.

Definition: What is Linux, anyway?

Strictly speaking, Linux basically refers only to the Linux kernel, based on the work of Linus Torvalds and other kernel developers. The operating system built on top of it is often referred to as GNU/Linux, and this is the basis for many so-called Linux distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, RedHat Enterprise Linux, AlmaLinux, etc. In everyday usage, however, the term Linux is often used for the entire operating system as well.

For simplicity, throughout this article we also mean the GNU/Linux operating system in its various forms whenever we write “Linux.”

What costs can Linux create for companies?

The main cost factors for Linux include support, training, migration, hardware compatibility, and ongoing maintenance. These costs are important factors in the overall calculation, especially in the initial phase of the transition.

Key cost items include:

• Training costs for administrators and end users
• Migration effort from existing systems
• Checking hardware compatibility and any necessary adjustments
• Development or customization of business applications
• Documentation and process adjustments
• Downtime during the transition

The total cost of ownership (TCO) for Linux systems should be considered over a multi-year period. In the long term, these investments can pay off through eliminated license costs and greater flexibility.

Why do companies need professional support for license-free software?

Business-critical systems require guaranteed availability and rapid problem resolution, which community support cannot provide. Professional 24/7 support ensures that outages are minimized and security vulnerabilities are closed immediately.

Community support works on a best-effort basis without guarantees. If your email server or your database fails, you cannot wait for volunteer developers to find the time. Companies need:

• Guaranteed response times for critical issues
• Prioritized security updates and patches
• Direct access to experts without detours
• Legal protection through service-level agreements
• Proactive monitoring and maintenance

Professional support turns license-free software into a reliable foundation for business. Investing in qualified support is a key building block for stable system availability.

How do Linux costs differ compared to proprietary software?

Linux offers freedom from license costs, but requires investment in staff and support. Proprietary software incurs predictable license costs, but offers varying flexibility for customization. Total costs depend heavily on company size and requirements.

When looking at costs, the following differences emerge:

Linux systems:

• No license costs, but personnel costs for specialization
• One-time migration costs, followed by predictable ongoing costs
• Flexible customization without additional license fees
• Support costs depending on the provider chosen

Proprietary software:

• Predictable license costs with various pricing models
• Personnel costs for standardized environments
• Different cost models for extensions and customizations
• Vendor support with different service levels

The cost-effectiveness of Linux systems often develops over a longer period, especially for larger installations. The cost-benefit analysis should cover at least three to five years. For the sake of fairness, it should also be noted that onboarding for proprietary systems also cost money—although companies today often build on existing knowledge in that area.

How credativ® helps with cost-conscious Linux implementation

Since 1999, credativ has provided professional support for Linux & open-source software and helps companies leverage the benefits of license-free software without hidden risks. We turn license-free software into a reliable foundation for business.

Our services for cost-conscious Linux implementations include:

• Comprehensive cost analysis and TCO calculation before migration
• 24/7 premium support for Debian Linux, PostgreSQL® and other open-source projects
• Professional migration support to minimize downtime
• Training for administrators and end users
• Direct access to leading Linux specialists without a call center
• Proactive security updates and system monitoring

As a vendor-independent company, we provide objective advice for your Linux® strategy. Our in-house experts in Germany ensure fast response times and culturally appropriate communication.

Contact us for a free initial consultation and learn how you can use Linux® & open-source software economically and securely in your company.

Transparency notice

credativ® is a Competence Center for PostgreSQL® within the PostgreSQL Community and provides professional support for various open-source projects.

Trademark notices: Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. PostgreSQL® is a registered trademark of the PostgreSQL Community.

The mention of trademarks serves solely for the factual description of migration scenarios and services of credativ GmbH. There is no business relationship with the mentioned trademark owners.

About the author

Peter Dreuw

Head of Sales & Marketing

about the person

Peter Dreuw has been working for credativ GmbH since 2016 and has been a team lead since 2017. Since 2021, he has been part of Instaclustr’s management team as VP Services. Following the acquisition by NetApp, his new role became “Senior Manager Open Source Professional Services”. As part of the spin-off, he became a member of the executive management as an authorized signatory. His responsibilities include leading sales and marketing. He has been a Linux user from the very beginning and has been running Linux systems since kernel 0.97. Despite extensive experience in operations, he is a passionate software developer and is also well versed in hardware-near systems.

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