We sell our flagship Gun Shop MLO twice: €27 escrow-protected, €49 open source. Buyers ask weekly which one they need. Here's the honest decision framework — including when we'd tell you not to pay us the extra €22.
What escrow actually is
Tebex's escrow system encrypts the asset and ties it to your server's license key. You get the full, working product — but you can't open the files, read the code, or edit the textures. In exchange it's cheaper, and updates arrive cleanly without merge conflicts.
Buy escrow if…
- You want the asset to work, not to tinker with it
- You don't have a developer on staff
- You value automatic, conflict-free updates
- Your branding needs are met by built-in customization (editable YTD textures, where offered)
Buy open source if…
- You have a developer with a specific modification plan — not a vague 'nice to have'
- You're merging the asset into a larger custom map project
- You need deep rebranding beyond texture swaps
- You're comfortable maintaining your own fork when official updates ship
The trap to avoid
Don't buy open source as insurance. Servers that buy it 'just in case' almost never open the files — they've paid a 60–80% premium for a feeling. If you can't name the edit you need today, escrow is the right call, and it puts money back in your event budget.
One more thing
Open source is a license, not a transfer of ownership. Reselling or 'leaking' purchased assets — escrow or open — violates the license and Tebex's terms, and it's the fastest way to get a store's entire community blacklisted. Buy once, build something great with it.
