The state of open source maintainers has become increasingly dire, with many feeling overwhelmed by their workload. The theme was repeatedly discussed at the 2025 State Of Open Conference, where speakers from tech giants and volunteer maintainers highlighted the challenges they face.
According to Sophia Vargas, an analyst and researcher for Google’s open source programs and operations, “Absolutely” maintainers are under pressure. Many participants in open source feel that projects are chronically undersupported, especially given the growing appetite for using open source software. The numbers back this up: a 2024 Tidelift survey found that 60% of maintainers had either quit or were considering quitting.
The problems extend beyond just maintainers being subjected to pressure and abuse. Users on the sidelines are also feeling frustrated, with 70% considering whether or not they should contribute to a project due to lack of support. The issues can be complex, but Vargas notes that “money is not going to solve all problems.” Each maintainer and project has its own context and challenges.
The situation is further complicated by economic uncertainties and the potential squeeze on budgets. Jeremy Rickard, a Microsoft employee who also works on the CNCF code of conduct, warns that it may take a significant project falling over for users to realize the value of supporting maintainers. Rickard suggests raising awareness on platforms like GitHub about sponsorship opportunities.
The struggles faced by open source maintainers are not new, but they have come to a head in recent years. The experience of being an oapi-codgen maintainer, as shared by Jamie Tanna, illustrates the challenges many face. With big or small projects, dealing with demanding users and increasing workloads is a common issue. Even critical infrastructure projects, often deemed essential, are supported by few people, with one person doing most of the work.
The situation calls for a proactive response to address the root causes of the problem. While financial support may be beneficial for some maintainers, it’s not a panacea. The need is for a more comprehensive approach that includes providing resources and support for non-code tasks such as mentorship, community management, issue triage, promotion, and fundraising.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/16/open_source_maintainers_state_of_open