Shareware Vs Freeware

A set or program of instructions for the computer to perform some required actions, is known as software. Software has come a long way from its inception. There are three models of free software downloads, which are now available. These are shareware, freeware and open source software. This article tells us all what we need to know about shareware vs freeware.

Shareware Vs Freeware
Let's now try to differentiate between shareware and freeware, in order to understand what it really is all about. You might also want to check up for information in examples of software.

Shareware
Bob Wallace coined the term ‘shareware’. This term came before the birth of IBM personal computers. Shareware is a proprietary software, which is given to users on a trial basis without charging them anything. The functionalities available in this software is limited, in other words the complete software is not given to the users. This software is available either by downloading it from a website or it is given in a compact disc along with periodicals or magazines. You can also refer to how to get a free software download. The words ‘trial version’ or ‘free trial’ is mentioned on these types of software. Compatible shareware software is available for all computer platforms like Unix, Linux, Microsoft Windows and Macintosh.

The purpose of sharing a software is to give the software a wide range of buyers. These buyers will use the software and then decide whether it is worthy of purchasing the license to get the full version of the software or not. There are some types of software which are available as full versions as well, but only for a limited trial period.

At the end of the trial period the software stops working. The full version license has to be purchased to get the software working again. There is no support, updates or help menus, which are made available with shareware. These become available after purchasing the license for the same. If you are using shareware, it can be copied and circulated amongst friends and colleagues, while it's still in it's trial period. The trial period can range from anything between 10 to 60 days. There are some shareware trial software available, which can be used for a particular number of times. After which if the user wishes to continue using it, he will have to buy a licensed copy of the software.

The author of a shareware makes the software available free of cost, but he may request donations. This software is copyright protected. The source code of this software is generally not made available, with which some one else can extend the code to make another software, using this as the base.

Freeware
Andrew Fluegelman coined the term ‘freeware’. He was the father of the communication program called PC-Talk. He wanted to distribute the program, but did not want to use the traditional method of distribution. Read more on Pocket PC: PDA software, freeware.

A freeware software is usually a fully functional software, which is available for an unlimited period of time. This software is distributed without any monetary benefits. It can also be in the form of a proprietary software, which is given at zero cost.

The author of the software however, can withhold one or more rights, such as copying, distributing or using the software as a base to derive another software. This software can come with a restricted use license. It means that there will be restrictions in terms of use of the same. It can specify the kind of use, that can be made of the software. For example, personal use, academic use, commercial use, individual use, non-profit use or may be a combination of one or more of them. I am sure you have come across software, where the license says "free for personal, non-commercial use". These are examples of freeware software.

A freeware may not necessarily be a free and open source software. So as to make a distinction, the ‘Free Software Foundation’, has asked software authors to avoid the use of the word freeware along with the free software. So that there is a clear distinction made between freeware and free software. Now what is the difference between a free software and a freeware? A freeware differs from a free software in that it can be used, modified, studied without any kind of restrictions.

The words shareware and freeware are often used interchangeably and have become synonyms. To understand more, here are examples of freeware and shareware softwares. The Adobe PDF is a freeware, whereas WinZip or WinRar is a shareware.

I hope with this article on shareware vs freeware, along with the differences you have also understood what is shareware and freeware as well. You can perhaps also look up information in the article, major types of software.