Is Free Technology Worth It?
“Anything free is worth what you pay for it.”
When it comes to technology, we often face the dilemma of choosing between free and paid options.
While free software and tools can be tempting, it's important to carefully consider the value of your time and the potential impact on your organization, and your donors’ expectations.
Free Shouldn't Be Your Automatic Choice
Just because something is free doesn't mean it's the best option for you or your organization. In fact, free software and tools can often come with hidden costs, such as:
Lack of support: Free software often comes with limited or no support, which can make it difficult to troubleshoot problems or get help when you need it.
Security risks: Free software may not be as secure as paid software, which could put your organization's data at risk.
Compatibility issues: Free software may not be compatible with other software and tools that your organization uses, which can lead to wasted time and resources.
Calculate Your Return on Investment
When evaluating the value of free vs. paid technology, it's important to calculate your return on investment (ROI). Consider the following factors:
Time savings: How much time will you save by using paid software or tools?
Increased productivity: How will paid software or tools help you to be more productive?
Improved security: How will paid software or tools help to protect your organization's data?
Enhanced professionalism: How will paid software or tools help your organization to project a more professional image to donors and other stakeholders?
Include the Value of Your Time
When calculating your ROI, be sure to include the value of your time. If you're spending hours trying to troubleshoot problems with free software, that's time that you could be spending on more important things, such as serving your clients or raising more money.
Donors Expect—and Deserve—Professionalism
Donors expect nonprofits to be professional and to use high-quality tools and resources. Using free software that is buggy, unreliable, or full of third-party ads can send the message that your organization is not serious about its work. It can also make donors think that you won’t be good stewards of their investment.
Think About It…
While free technology can be tempting, it's important to carefully consider the value of your time and the potential impact on your organization's professionalism and donor expectations. In many cases, paid software and tools may be a better investment for you and your team.
Do you have thoughts to share about free vs. paid resources? Advice for others doing their own technology evaluations? Pop into the comments and give us the scoop!
