Open source software is code that’s made publicly available for anyone to view, use, modify, and share. WordPress itself is open source, which is a big part of why it’s free to download and use.
Because the code is public, developers around the world can review it, suggest improvements, fix bugs, and build new features — instead of relying on a single company to maintain everything alone.
Open Source vs Proprietary Software
Proprietary software keeps its underlying code private, controlled entirely by the company that built it. Open source software, by contrast, is often built and maintained by a broad community, with transparent development happening in public view.
Why This Matters for WordPress Users
Because WordPress is open source, you’re never locked into a single company’s decisions. If you’re unhappy with a hosting provider or plugin, you can move your open-source WordPress site elsewhere without losing access to the software itself.
This same openness is why thousands of free plugins and themes exist, built by independent developers rather than a single central company.