Free software, as defined by the Free Software Foundation (FSF), isn’t simply about not paying for the software. It’s about four essential freedoms: the freedom to run the program for any purpose, the freedom to study and change the source code, the freedom to redistribute copies, and the freedom to improve the program and release your improvements to the public.

However, for the first two freedoms (running and modifying) to be truly meaningful, the FSF emphasizes the need for access to the source code. This is because the source code is the “recipe” for the software, revealing how it works and letting you change, improve, and adapt it to your own needs and situations. Without access to the source code, these freedoms are practically hollow, akin to owning a locked recipe box without the recipe itself.

Therefore, the FSF considers free software not just as a financial concept, but as a commitment to user freedom and empowerment. This freedom stems from unfettered access to the software’s inner workings, allowing users to truly “own” their digital tools and shape their interactions with technology.