Help: Open Source Our No-Code Product Or Not?
Hello all! We are about to launch the MVP for nocodedb.io very soon and wanted to reach out to the community to get some feedback.
NoCodeDB is a database and backend that allows you to take any existing frontend builder and build full-stack applications with them building your backend in a spreadsheet-like interface. We are starting with Webflow, Draftbit, and an auto-generated API (for Frontend Devs) but plan to expand to other builders in the future.
We are considering the idea of open-sourcing it and then charging via one-click hosting on our site. We are wondering if you guys would prefer that (having to launch it yourself and manage the Infrastructure) or just a SaaS version with a limited free plan?
Also if anyone is interested in the Alpha we are onboarding paid users to test it out. We are charging $15 (we plan on charging min $29 for regular users) a month for our alpha users.
Just let me know and looking forward to your responses!
Best,
Joe
Check out supabase.io and you will know what to do!
There are good arguments for open sourcing - see @markjeffery's comment about Wordpress. Open sourcing lets potential customers try your product with minimal friction, which is a great thing if you are in the business of selling a managed service.
If you do go down this road, pay careful attention to your license terms and the subset of features you make available. You're also handing your code to potential competitors for your managed service. What's stopping me taking your code, polishing it up, and selling a better product?
Great points as well! That's something we have considered naturally of course. Although that's a potential negative, we actually also thought it was a positive to. Mainly because if we provide the best product and keep up with it via customer feedback, we aren't just selling a product but more. Also if someone just forked it and copied it (which they prob wouldn't do unless there was success so that's a win in the first place), and let's say charged for it. We open sourced it, are the original developers, and know the source code the best. So who better then us. Same reason why users still prefer MongoDB over the million nosql identical alternatives out there (although they have changed there license heavily in the last few years). Very similar to other open source softwares our there that are now $100MM businesses (MongoDB, etc)
Hey, Joe, great question, and one I'm grappling with myself for my own products.
I suspect most people would want a one-click-and-it-works solution, and would be willing to pay for it. Just reading the words "having to launch it yourself and manage the infrastructure" makes me shudder!
Question for you: what would be the benefit to you of open sourcing?
Great point! To answer your question. The main benefit for me would be the open-source community. It also has marketing benefits. I am also an avid supporter of open-source. I do agree though. Especially for no-coders. It can be a hassle and does require some technical know-how which may drive no/low coders away.
Right, thanks Joe. I tend to think that open source and one-click-and-it-works aren't mutually exclusive. Wordpress, for example, is open source, so you can set it up on your own servers if you like, but if you want to go with the one-click-and-it-works solution you can just pay for that service.
I look forward to following your progress!
Solid points! Yes thats why we were thinking managed service with an open source. So we give those the one click and start using ability button also the open source benefits.
While open source has numerous benefits, it’s clear that using the code isn’t entirely without risk. We recommend following these guidelines to avoid any possible open source-related problems when building your SaaS product: https://bit.ly/3HNhNUs