Here are the key differences between proprietary and open-source software ¹ ² ³ ⁴:

Ownership:
Proprietary software is owned by the company or individual who published it.
Open-source software is available for anyone to access, modify and distribute.

Development:
Proprietary software is developed and maintained by the company who owns it.
Open-source software is developed and maintained by the community.

Flexibility:
Open-source software is more flexible.
Proprietary software comes with restrictions.

Support:
Proprietary software support is offered by the company.
Open-source software support is offered by the community.

Cost:
Proprietary software requires a license and costs money.
Open-source software is free to use and modify.

Updates:
Proprietary software updates are released by the company.
Open-source software updates are released by the community.

Examples:
Examples of proprietary software include Windows, macOS, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, Adobe Flash Player, Skype, etc.
Examples of open-source software include Android, Ubuntu, Firefox, Open Office, WordPress, etc.

Proprietary software, also known as closed-source software or commercial software, is software that is owned and controlled by a single entity, typically a company or organization. Proprietary software is developed, distributed, and maintained under restrictive licenses that limit access to the source code and impose restrictions on how the software can be used, modified, distributed, and shared. Users of proprietary software typically need to purchase a license or pay a fee to use the software legally, and they may be subject to usage restrictions, licensing agreements, and proprietary terms and conditions imposed by the software vendor.

Key characteristics of proprietary software include:

1. Closed Source: Proprietary software is distributed in compiled or executable form, meaning that the source code is not made available to users or developers. The vendor retains full control over the source code and intellectual property rights associated with the software.

2. Limited Redistribution: Proprietary software licenses often restrict or prohibit users from redistributing or sharing the software with others, except as explicitly permitted by the vendor. Users may be required to obtain separate licenses or permissions for each installation or distribution of the software.

3. Vendor Support: Proprietary software vendors typically provide customer support, maintenance, updates, and technical assistance to users who purchase licenses or subscriptions for their products. Users rely on the vendor for bug fixes, security patches, and software updates.

4. Commercialization: Proprietary software is developed and marketed as a commercial product by software companies, which may offer various licensing models, pricing plans, and subscription options to generate revenue from software sales, licensing fees, and support services.

In contrast, open-source software (OSS) refers to software that is distributed with an open-source license that grants users the right to access, modify, distribute, and contribute to the source code freely. Open-source software is developed collaboratively by a community of developers who contribute code, fix bugs, add features, and improve the software collectively. Users of open-source software benefit from transparency, flexibility, and community-driven innovation, as well as the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software without restrictive licensing terms.

Key characteristics of open-source software include:

1. Open Source: Open-source software is distributed with its source code freely available to users, allowing them to study, modify, and distribute the code under open-source licenses such as the GNU General Public License (GPL), Apache License, or MIT License.

2. Community Collaboration: Open-source software projects are developed collaboratively by a community of developers, contributors, and users who share code, ideas, and resources to improve the software. The development process is transparent, inclusive, and participatory, with contributions welcomed from individuals and organizations worldwide.

3. Freedom and Flexibility: Open-source software provides users with the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software according to their needs and preferences. Users are not bound by restrictive licensing terms or vendor lock-in, and they have the flexibility to adapt the software to suit their specific requirements.

4. Peer Review and Quality Assurance: Open-source software benefits from peer review, code transparency, and community-driven quality assurance processes that help identify and fix bugs, vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues. Users can contribute code, report issues, and suggest improvements to the software, enhancing its reliability, security, and performance.

Overall, proprietary software and open-source software represent two distinct models of software development and distribution, each with its own characteristics, advantages, and limitations. While proprietary software offers proprietary control, vendor support, and commercialization opportunities, open-source software promotes transparency, collaboration, and freedom of use. The choice between proprietary and open-source software depends on factors such as licensing requirements, development goals, business needs, and user preferences.

Proprietary software is developed and distributed by a company or individual under a license that restricts access to the source code and imposes limitations on how the software can be used, modified, or distributed. Users typically need to purchase a license to use proprietary software, and the source code is not available for inspection or modification.

On the other hand, open-source software is developed collaboratively by a community of developers who contribute to and maintain the source code. Open-source software is distributed under licenses that allow users to access, modify, and distribute the source code freely. Users can typically download and use open-source software without cost, and they have the freedom to customize the software to suit their needs.

In summary, proprietary software is controlled and distributed by a single entity with restricted access to the source code, while open-source software is developed collaboratively and distributed under licenses that promote transparency, freedom, and community-driven innovation.