Even though Linux has always been free, I’ve paid for the OS in various ways over the years. I’ve seen distributions come and go, most of which were free, but some had an associated cost. In some cases, those costs were nothing more than a suggested donation, but in others, the only way to get a copy of the OS was to pay for it.
You might be thinking, “Why would you pay for something that’s free?”
I’ve had my reasons, which I’ll share with you. Let’s see if there’s one that might entice you to share a few shekels.
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1. Support
Linux has a vast support community, including forums, mailing lists, and social networking groups. Not everyone is comfortable using such routes for technical support and would feel more confident paying a company.
If such support is important, you can use big providers such as Red Hat, Canonical, and SUSE. Other organizations also offer Linux support, which you can find by using Bark.com to locate an IT expert in your area.
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You might also have a local computer support specialist in your community who knows about Linux. In short, more and more support companies have hopped onto the Linux bandwagon and will be able to help you… for a fee.
However, if you’re considering paid support, I would think about using Ubuntu as your Linux distro of choice and sign up for Canonical’s Official Ubuntu Support.
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2. Buying a laptop or desktop with Linux preinstalled
My last three computers have been from System76, each of which came preinstalled with Linux. I use System76 machines because they’re amazing, support is outstanding, they’re good people, and I like supporting Linux.
System76 is one of the biggest suppliers of preinstalled Linux hardware, but other companies are out there, such as Tuxedo Computers, Dell, Purism, Slimbook, and Star Labs.
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When you buy a piece of hardware from one of these companies, you help keep the Linux dream alive. Sure, these machines might cost a bit more than an average Windows machine, but knowing you’re supporting the work of others (both the company selling the hardware and the developers who create the software) is well worth the added cost.
3. Access to premium features and services
The best example of this approach is ZorinOS. You can use the Core version of the distribution for free.
If you want more desktop layouts, a professional-grade creative suite, advanced productivity tools, and more, you should consider dropping the $47 for Zorin OS Pro.
Also: 5 of the easiest, quickest Linux distros to install – and I’ve tried them all
From my perspective, the extra desktop layouts alone are worth the price. Instead of just four layouts, you can choose from 10, some of which resemble MacOS, Windows Classic, Windows 11, ChromeOS, GNOME 2, or Ubuntu. Like purchasing preinstalled hardware, your money also goes a long way to ensuring distributions like ZorinOS continue.
Speaking of which…
4. To support a distribution or project
Even though a distribution is free, you should consider donating to the developers who make it happen. Often, those developers have to pay for website hosting, downloads, and more.
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Without funds, it’s hard to keep the lights on. If you have a favorite distribution or piece of software, find out if the developers take donations, and if so, consider donating. Your donations can help ensure the project lives long into the future.
5. When using Linux in an enterprise environment
This one is the no-brainer. If you’re using Linux in an enterprise environment, you (or, more likely, your company) paid for it via something like Red Hat Enterprise Linux or SUSE as a server environment.
There are also desktop distributions created specifically for enterprise environments. For example, Red Hat has Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation, which also has an upsell for one year of standard support.
Most people who use Linux on the desktop do not fall under this category, but it’s nice to know enterprise options are available for the desktop (and server). When you purchase licenses for these products, you’re helping keep the lights on for companies focused on helping the world run more smoothly.
