Where do open source projects live

Open source software is just one facet of the broader open source ecosystem. Projects can also encompass documentation, design assets, datasets, and more. At its core, an open source project is any work made publicly available under a license that grants permissions to use, modify, and distribute.

Popular Hosting Platforms

Open source code and assets are typically stored on internet platforms offering version control, collaboration tools, and issue tracking. The three leading services are:

Beyond Code Hosting

While many projects consolidate code hosting and community interaction on a single platform, it’s important to distinguish between the project (source code or core assets) and the community (forums, chat channels, events). Contributor discussions and support channels often live on different platforms, such as Slack, Discord, or dedicated forums.

Non-code open source projects—like illustration libraries, data collections, or documentation sites—may be shared as standalone repositories, curated collections, or on specialized hosting services. The best platform depends on your project’s scope and the preferences of your contributors.

Links and References

• GitHub
• GitLab
• Bitbucket
• Open Source Initiative