What is Freeware?

Freeware is computer software that is available online at no cost for unlimited time. The author usually restricts the rights to copy or distribute such freeware for "personal, non-commercial use".

Freeware is a bit different from shareware which obliges users to pay after a trial period or perhaps to gain additional functionality. Freeware is not the same as "free software" in the way that free software can be studied, used and modified without any restrictions. The software license for freeware could impose restrictions on the type of use including individual, personal, non-profit, academic, non-commercial and commercial, or any combination of these.

By understanding just what freeware is will give you insight on how it can be used and compare to other downloadable software such as adware, malware, shareware and spyware.

Tags: freeware software