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Open vs Closed Source

Norri is currently closed source software. This page explains our reasoning and what it means for users.

Our Position

We believe in transparency about our licensing decisions. Here’s our thinking:

Why Not Open Source (For Now)

  1. Development focus — Open source projects require significant community management. We’re focused on building a great product first.

  2. Clean room protection — Keeping the source private helps maintain clean room development integrity and avoids any potential for code contamination.

  3. Sustainable business model — We’re exploring how to make Norri sustainable long-term. This may include commercial licensing, support contracts, or other models.

  4. Quality control — During early development, we want to ensure the codebase meets our standards before any public release.

What This Means for Users

  • Free to use — Norri is free for personal use
  • Self-hosted — You run it on your own hardware
  • No telemetry — Your data stays on your server
  • No lock-in — Standard media formats, export your data anytime

Future Possibilities

We haven’t ruled out open sourcing Norri in the future. Possibilities include:

  • Source available — Code visible but not freely licensed
  • Open core — Core functionality open, advanced features proprietary
  • Full open source — Under a permissive or copyleft license
  • Delayed open source — Open after a certain period

We’ll communicate any changes to our licensing approach clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the source code?

Not currently. The source code is not publicly available.

Is Norri free?

Yes, Norri is free for personal use. There are no subscriptions or premium tiers—all features are included.

Will Norri ever become paid software?

We may offer commercial licenses or support contracts in the future, but we’re committed to keeping a free tier for personal use.

How can I trust closed source software?

We understand the concern. Here’s what we offer:

  • Privacy by design — No telemetry, no cloud accounts required
  • Local-first — Everything runs on your hardware
  • Transparent practices — We document our approach openly
  • Reputation — We’re building a long-term project, not a quick exit

Can I contribute?

Not to the code directly, but you can:

  • Report bugs and issues
  • Suggest features
  • Help improve documentation
  • Share feedback on your experience

Our Commitment

Regardless of licensing:

  • No spyware — We will never add telemetry or tracking
  • No rug pulls — We won’t suddenly paywall existing features
  • Honest communication — We’ll be upfront about any changes
  • User respect — Your data is yours, always