Open source software costs nothing to download, which is part of why it powers so much of the web. Content platforms, themes, plugins, and the frameworks underneath them are often free and open for anyone to build on. That openness is also the source of the risk. No open source license comes with a maintenance guarantee. Most explicitly say the opposite, the code is provided as is, with no warranty and no obligation to keep it updated. Some parts of the stack get that attention anyway, but most don’t.
Open Source Still Needs Maintenance
This shows up in different ways depending on what part of the stack you look at. The term. “stack” refers to the layers of software that make up a website, the core platform on the bottom, then plugins, themes, and frameworks built on top of that. A plugin can go unmaintained for years while still being available for download. A theme built by a solo developer can quietly stop receiving updates. The platform core itself tends to be the most well-structured part of the stack, with structured release cycles and dedicated security teams behind it, but that same discipline rarely extends down to the plugins and themes built on top of it. None of this is obvious from the outside. A website can look finished and functional while running on code nobody is actively watching anymore.
The risk compounds when a business builds on open source without a plan for who is responsible for it going forward. Security patches get missed. Compatibility breaks between the platform and the tools built on top of it. And when something does go wrong, there is often no single vendor to call, just a patchwork of contributors and third party developers who may or may not still be involved with the project.
None of this means open source is a poor choice. It is flexible, affordable, and often the right foundation for a growing business. But treating it as free and finished the day it launches is where the real risk comes in. Open source software needs ongoing attention, someone checking for updates, watching for abandoned dependencies, and stepping in when a plugin, theme, or platform component falls out of maintenance. That upkeep is what actually keeps an open source website secure, fast, and reliable over time.
This is exactly the kind of website maintenance work we handle for clients running WordPress. We track core updates, plugin compatibility, and security patches. A site owner never has to wonder what is falling behind. If you want a second set of eyes on what your site is currently running, reach out and we will take a look.
Written by Nicole DeiCicchi