What is Shareware?

Shareware refers to software online that is provided to users on a trial basis without payment and limited on availability, functionality or convenience. Shareware is often offered by download on the internet or as a CD included with a magazine or newspaper. The aim of shareware is to offer a program to potential buyers and judge how useful it is before purchase of the full version.

Shareware usually is offered as a trial version with limited features, or as the full version for a trial period. The program may stop running after the trial period until the full program or the license is purchased. Shareware usually is offered without updates, support or help menus, and the terms "trial version" or "free trial" are an indication you have shareware.

The term shareware is used in contrast to retail software and freeware. Retail software refers to commercial software available by purchase of a license and may not be copied for others, public domain software, referring to software not copyright protected. Freeware refers to copyrighted software that the author solicits no payment for, although donations may be requested. Understand what shareware is to give you insight on what the term refers to. Other downloadable software terms you may want to be aware of include adware, spyware, malware, freeware.

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