A Beginner’s Guide to Open-Source Desktop Software
Look at the project’s official website or repository, documentation, release history and license.
Look at the project’s official website or repository, documentation, release history and license.
Check the license
Open-source projects can use different licenses. Read the specific license instead of assuming all projects have identical permissions.
Open-source projects can use different licenses. Read the specific license instead of assuming all projects have identical permissions.
Recent releases, documentation and issue activity can provide useful context about maintenance, but they are not guarantees of quality or security.
Evaluate project activity
Download from the project’s official release channel when possible and verify the release information before installing.
Recent releases, documentation and issue activity can provide useful context about maintenance, but they are not guarantees of quality or security.
Use trusted sources
Download from the project’s official release channel when possible and verify the release information before installing.
Editorial note: This guide is general information. Software features, licensing, pricing, compatibility and security practices can change, so verify current details with the relevant publisher or project.