For almost anything (any application) I think open-source is the way to go from now on.
I do however have to admit that if you pay for the high-end software like adobe products and a few others then you do get a premium product for the price.
Well first of all - All open source is not free either.
Secondly.. getting your name out there is worth more the pay per hour. If people clicked on my website as much as they click on joomla website. I would be retired by now.