How Open Source Companies Win With Open Core Business Models

Failed to add items

Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.

Add to basket failed.

Please try again later

Add to wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Remove from wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Adding to library failed

Please try again

Follow podcast failed

Unfollow podcast failed

How Open Source Companies Win With Open Core Business Models

Listen for free

View show details

In this episode of The Open Source Business, Lucas and Luna explore the open core business model — where a company offers a free, open-source core while selling proprietary enterprise features. They dig into the strategy behind GitLab's tiered approach, the tension between community trust and monetization, and why companies like HashiCorp and Mattermost have bet on open core. The conversation covers how to decide what goes in the free core versus paid tiers, the risk of forking, and the importance of clear boundaries. Lucas and Luna also discuss the role of contributor agreements, trademark licensing, and developer experience in making open core work. With examples from the ecosystem and a look at the current market dynamics in June 2026, this episode gives operators and builders a concrete framework for evaluating or implementing an open core strategy. Plus, a brief note on how listener support keeps the show ad-free. #OpenSource #OpenCore #GitLab #HashiCorp #Mattermost #BusinessModel #Monetization #Community #Enterprise #DeveloperExperience #Forking #TrademarkLicensing #ContributorAgreements #BusinessAndTechnology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CommercialStrategy #FreeSoftware Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

No reviews yet