The publication N+1, dedicated to science and technology, conducted an extensive study on the use of open software (Open Source) in Russia. The report on the safety analysis and risks of using Open Source (OSSRA) revealed that 90% of modern software contains open source code. Popular browsers like Google Chrome and Yandex Browser are built on the basis of the Chromium open project, and most web servers use Apache Http Server and Nginx.
The study aimed to understand who and why is involved in the development of free software (SPO) in Russia, as well as the challenges developers face. Out of the 661 valid questionnaires analyzed, the majority (69%) were completed by hired employees. Of these, more than a third (33%) work in large companies, with 60% working in the IT sector. The rest come from various industries such as finance, industry, science, education, and the public sector, and answered questions related to their employment, motivation, and contribution to Open Source.
Notable Russian IT companies like Tinkoff, Astra, Postgres Pro, and Qiwi participated in the study. General conclusions from IT specialists about Open Source revealed that 58.4% believe “SPO has no boundaries and Russian Open Source does not exist”, almost 70% think a modern company should participate in Open Source, and 98% use OPENSORS-products.
When it comes to employment and its connection to Open Source, the study found that company owners (81.6%), freelancers (73.2%), employees (64.7%), and students (58.7%) are involved. The high percentage of involvement is attributed to many companies producing and integrating SPO into work processes.
The study also noted a pattern where IT specialists with more experience are more likely to work with Open Source. Those with less than a year of experience engage a few times a week (26.7%), while those with over 10 years of experience do so more frequently (54.8%).
Regarding the future of Open Source in Russia, nearly half of respondents (48.9%) are optimistic about its development, while 16% anticipate a decline in the segment over the next three years. The majority (71.7%) participate in Open Source projects for altruistic reasons, 58.9% see it as a way to develop and learn, and 51.2% view it as an opportunity to tackle complex technical problems.