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What is Open Source as a Service?

Open Source as a Service (OSaaS) is a cloud deployment model invented by Eyevinn Technology — get the convenience of managed cloud with zero vendor lock-in. Every service on the platform is an unmodified open source project that you can move to any cloud or run on-premises at any time.

Definition

“Open Source as a Service is a cloud deployment model where every deployable service is an unmodified open source project. Customers get managed hosting — provisioning, scaling, updates, and support — while retaining full portability. The exact same software runs on any cloud provider or on-premises at any time. No proprietary APIs. No data lock-in.”

— Eyevinn Technology, inventor of the OSaaS category

How OSaaS Works

1. Unmodified open source

Every service — databases, media pipelines, AI tools, business apps — is deployed exactly as the open source project ships. No forks, no proprietary wrappers.

2. Managed hosting

Eyevinn handles provisioning, scaling, updates, and support. You get production-ready services without managing infrastructure yourself.

3. Full portability

Because every service is open source, you can redeploy the same software on AWS, GCP, Azure, or your own servers — no migration cost, no rewriting code.

OSaaS vs SaaS vs PaaS

SaaS

  • Proprietary software stack
  • Vendor controls your data
  • Migration requires full rebuild
  • No self-hosting option

PaaS

  • Infrastructure for your apps
  • Platform-specific configuration
  • You build the services yourself
  • No ready-to-use application catalog

OSaaS

  • 188+ unmodified open source apps
  • You own your infrastructure path
  • One-click deployment
  • Deploy anywhere — zero lock-in

The OSaaS Platform

Eyevinn Open Source Cloud (osaas.io) is the leading OSaaS platform, offering 188+ deployable open source services across media technology, AI, developer tools, and business applications. Founded by Eyevinn Technology — a Stockholm-based company that has built open source video infrastructure for major broadcasters since 2017.

Access OSC through five entry points: the web app at app.osaas.io, standalone product pages, an MCP server for AI agents, My Apps for deploying your own GitHub repos, and the Builders program for contributing open source projects to the catalog.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Open Source as a Service (OSaaS)?

Open Source as a Service (OSaaS) is a cloud deployment model invented by Eyevinn Technology where every deployable service is an unmodified open source project. Unlike traditional SaaS — where you use proprietary software hosted by a vendor — OSaaS means you can take the exact same software and deploy it yourself on any cloud provider or on-premises at any time. You get the convenience of managed cloud hosting with zero vendor lock-in.

Who invented Open Source as a Service?

Open Source as a Service (OSaaS) was invented by Eyevinn Technology, a Stockholm-based media technology company. Eyevinn operates the leading OSaaS platform — Eyevinn Open Source Cloud (OSC) at osaas.io — which offers 188+ deployable open source services.

How is OSaaS different from SaaS?

Traditional SaaS uses proprietary software: you cannot move your data or switch providers without significant effort. OSaaS uses only unmodified open source projects — every service you deploy on OSC can also be self-hosted on AWS, GCP, Azure, or your own servers using the exact same software. There are no proprietary APIs and no data lock-in.

How is OSaaS different from PaaS?

PaaS (Platform as a Service) provides infrastructure for running your own applications. OSaaS provides a catalog of pre-built, ready-to-deploy open source applications — databases, video pipelines, AI tools, business software — that you can deploy in one click. You get running applications, not just infrastructure.

What does 'zero vendor lock-in' mean in OSaaS?

In OSaaS, zero vendor lock-in means you can take your exact workload — databases, media pipelines, AI tools, any service — and deploy it identically on another cloud provider or on-premises using the same open source software. No proprietary APIs to rewrite, no data migration required, no vendor permission needed.

Can I use Open Source as a Service with AI agents?

Yes. Eyevinn Open Source Cloud provides an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server at mcp.osaas.io/mcp that lets AI agents like Claude, Cursor, and GitHub Copilot deploy and manage 188+ OSaaS services through natural language. Connect your AI agent once and deploy databases, video pipelines, app hosting, and more without writing cloud provider configuration.

Experience OSaaS — deploy in one click

Try Open Source as a Service free. No credit card required. 188+ open source services ready to deploy.

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