Shareware - what is it? Easily explained
In many programs that are available for download, you will find the term "shareware". In this article we explain what "shareware" is and how you can use it.
What is shareware?
- Shareware, like freeware, is software. If you do not know what software is, you should first read the relevant practical tip on the topic.
- Shareware is a user-friendly way of offering a program. You can try the software for free before you buy it.
- Every program can be offered as shareware. This ranges from the small, practical tool to extensive and powerful software.
- Shareware is a sales concept for software. This is offered as a shareware version. This means that you, the user, can download, install and use the software free of charge. However, these test versions are cut in one way or another - you can read about the differences in the second paragraph.
- The concept of shareware is not a new type of software marketing: Bob Wallace invented this form of distribution. He was one of the first Microsoft employees.
Different forms of shareware
The generic term shareware stands for trial version. However, these trial versions of software can be offered in different ways.
- Software that is actually subject to a fee is often offered as shareware with restrictions on usability. You can use the "slimmed down" version indefinitely. However, if you want to use all the functions of the program, you have to pay for the full version.
- In other cases, you can use all of the program's functions with Shareware, but only for a limited period, often 30 days. After that, you can usually no longer use the program at all. This software form is sometimes also referred to as a "demo".
- Another type of shareware is a free software version that annoys the user with frequent reminders of the lack of registration. The goal of these reminders is simply to get the user to register the program.
- They still exist, albeit more rarely: the "real" shareware. This is software that you can use free of charge, in full and without time restrictions. The principle is based on trust. The provider hopes for the fairness of the user that he will pay for the software after a test period if he wants to continue using it.
In contrast to shareware, what is known as spyware is less pleasant for users. You can read what is hidden behind this term in the next tip.