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INDEPENDENCE, BY DESIGN

Escape software
lock-in.
Build a stack
you can own.

Find open-source options, then work with iGears to adapt, connect and build a solution around your business.

Independent recommendations · Practical implementation
OPEN SOURCE IS A STARTING POINT. Portability Ownership Interoperability Operational responsibility
01 / DISCOVER

Start with the problem.
Find the right software.

Explore open-source options by what your organisation needs to do.

Explore all categories
02 / UNDERSTAND YOUR DEPENDENCIES

Paying for the value.
Or the difficulty
of leaving?

Rising fees are visible. The harder costs often hide in your data formats, integrations and day-to-day workflows.

Understand vendor lock-in
A QUICK REALITY CHECK↗
01 Can you export all your data?→
02 Can your integrations move with you?→
03 Could another provider maintain it?→
10 questions. A clearer picture.Check my lock-in
03 / PLAN YOUR EXIT

Replace dependencies.
Keep what matters.

A realistic migration begins with your data, workflows and the functions you actually use.

View all exit plans
IGEARS / CUSTOM SOLUTIONS

Open-source foundations. Solutions built around your business.

iGears helps you choose software, connect existing systems and build the capabilities you need—from individual extensions to complete custom applications.

Combine open source, custom development and suitable commercial services, with clear costs and agreed source-code access and handover.

Discuss your requirements with iGears

IGEARS / UMBRACO CMS

Your content. An Umbraco website built around it.

From a new business website to an existing Umbraco platform, IGEARS can help with development, migration, integrations and ongoing support.

Read the Umbraco CMS profile

MANAGED OPEN SOURCE

We give you reasons to stay.
And the freedom to leave.

Updates, security, monitoring and tested backups. Professional support for your stack, with the documentation and access to change provider when you need to.

Discuss managed support
Software & security updatesMonitoring & recoveryDocumented infrastructureTransferable data & deployment
THE FIELD GUIDE

A little clarity goes a long way.

Browse all resources

Our recommendations are independent. Paid implementation services are separate.
Read our editorial policy and scoring methodology.

PRACTICAL LEARNING / PRO READER

Concat: captions, cutout and a layered edit

Go beyond the overview. Make a short video with Concat and use a practical worksheet to assess the result.

US$0 at signupthen US$25 / month
News & analysis

Recent developments. Practical implications.

Read all news
News analysis · Event date

LibreOffice 26.8: a timely reason to test document portability

The August 2026 release brings document improvements. IGEARS explains how to turn an office-suite trial into evidence about your organisation’s dependency on Microsoft formats.

News analysis · Event date

OpenTofu 1.12: infrastructure control still depends on your operating process

OpenTofu’s May 2026 release adds lifecycle and provider-installation improvements. The practical migration question is whether your team controls state, approvals and recovery.

News analysis · Event date

Schleswig-Holstein’s LibreOffice rollout: what businesses can learn

A German state’s December 2025 progress report offers a real migration example. The lesson is to organise document workflows, exceptions and support—not simply replace an application icon.

IGEARS CONSULTATION

Build the solution your business needs.

iGears can combine open-source software, custom applications and your existing systems. Start with the outcome you need.

WhatsApp IGEARS