4 MIN READ
Hilary Carter | 14 January 2025
There’s nothing better than to start a new year off with a clear picture of the elements in your sphere that are working well and can be accelerated, what things need to be developed from scratch, and in which areas improvements can be made. And what better resource than data to assist in January goal setting. This is precisely why our work at LF Research is so gratifying. Looking back on the numerous reports published in 2024, we have never had a better picture to shape our focus in 2025. Additionally, since research always creates new questions to be answered, 2025 will be a year in which we seek to understand our ecosystem with even greater clarity.
Once again, with the help of an engaged community, LF Research has taken an up-close look at the open source landscape, value points, and trend lines to paint a more clear picture of opportunities and challenges. In our latest research, the 2024 Global Spotlight Insights Report, new data reveals the maturity and evolution of the open source ecosystem on a worldwide scale, with a spotlight on key trends shaping its adoption, contribution, and sustainability. And the findings are, in a word, compelling!
Beyond the report’s contextual analysis, derived from analysis of a worldwide survey fielded earlier last year, the 12 infographics on page 2 provide a quick and illustrative summary of how open source is transforming industries and regions alike.
Let’s dig into what this comprehensive, year over year study reveals as a means to kickstart 2025 goal setting.
Open Source: A Proven Model for Better Software
One of the standout statistics is the overwhelming confidence in open source development. A remarkable 79% of respondents believe that the open source approach leads to better software development. This endorsement underscores a growing recognition of the benefits of collaboration, transparency, and innovation inherent in OSS practices. The confidence extends to security as well, with 68% agreeing that OSS is more secure than proprietary alternatives, reinforcing the trust in its resilience and community-driven improvements.
Innovation, Standards, and Productivity: The Core Benefits
The report highlights the top three benefits of OSS adoption as innovation, standards and interoperability, and productivity—each cited by 57% or more of respondents. These benefits reflect open source's unique ability to drive cutting-edge solutions, enable seamless integration across diverse systems, and boost efficiency across sectors. As industries grapple with complex challenges, such as staying competitive, keeping costs down, and offering innovative solutions, these advantages position OSS as a critical enabler of progress.
Addressing Challenges in Open Source Engagement
Despite its strengths, open source faces persistent challenges. Lack of time (63%) and funding (34%) remain the top barriers to contribution, illustrating the need for systemic support for maintainers and contributors. These challenges highlight a pressing call to action for organizations and policymakers to invest in the sustainability of open source projects. Taking this further, we know that organizations are increasingly in need of justifying the investment they make across functions, and that frameworks to measure and establish clear return for open source contribution are very much in need. This is a priority area for us to research in 2025.
Motivations Behind Contributions: Learning and Passion
Further insight into the human side of open source is revealed in the study’s findings. Contributors are primarily motivated by learning (72%) and the chance to work on projects they find fascinating or useful (69%). This passion for growth and meaningful engagement drives the open source community forward, even as contributors balance these efforts with personal and professional commitments. Organizations therefore need to prioritize open source as a means to ensure that they are giving their team members the professional learning opportunities they crave, and attracting talented open source enthusiasts to join the organization in the first place.
AI/ML Leads the Way
Unsurprisingly, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) emerged as the leading area benefiting from open source development, cited by 44% of respondents. This finding aligns with the broader trend of leveraging OSS to accelerate innovation in transformative technologies, especially where trust is so important. By fostering collaboration in AI/ML, the open source community is helping to shape the future of industries ranging from healthcare to finance.
The Value of Maintainers
The 2024 study was the first time we asked questions about the value of hiring OSS maintainers. Two in five organizations employ maintainers, and 74% of those organizations report high value from this investment. This data underscores the importance of supporting the individuals who ensure the stability and progress of open source ecosystems, especially strategically significant projects an organization relies on.
Regional and Industry Highlights
While the report's infographics primarily focus on global trends, they also offer glimpses into regional and industry-specific nuances. For example, IT and media industries lead in open source adoption and contributions, reflecting their emphasis on innovation and agility. In contrast, regulated sectors like government and healthcare demonstrate more cautious engagement, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies to address their unique challenges.
A Call to Action
The findings from the 2024 Global Spotlight Insights Report reveal a vibrant and evolving open source landscape. However, they also highlight areas where more work is needed to unlock its full potential. Organizations, policymakers, and the open source community must collaborate to address challenges like funding, time constraints, and regulatory uncertainty. By doing so, they can ensure that open source continues to thrive as a cornerstone of global innovation.
Whether you're an industry leader, contributor, or advocate, these insights offer a roadmap for engaging with and supporting open source in 2025 and beyond. To dive deeper into the findings, download the full report and explore how open source is shaping the future of technology and collaboration worldwide.