Your reasons are your own, but that doesn't change my point above. For me, an OSS project without a strong community looks about as bad as the original manufacturer software, with all the phoning home and other disadvantages that entails.
I am not in any way challenging that. That is the correct Take-away.
Genuinely.
As said, the culture is different. I do not intend to convince you that my project would be better than what the vendor can offer.
In fact, you have correctly pointed out that in your situation, the vendor might actually offer the _better_ experience with actual paid support.
