Freeware

Categories: Application software | Freeware

Freeware (also called gratis software or "free as in beer" software) is computer software which

  1. is made available free of charge and
  2. is not free to be used, copied, studied, modified and redistributed.

This contrasts with "free software" (also called libre software or "free as in speech" software) which

  1. can be used, copied, studied, modified and redistributed but
  2. may or may not be free of charge.

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Freeware limitations

Freeware is typically proprietary, distributed without source code, and carries a restrictive license. For example, a license might allow the software to be freely copied, but not sold, or might forbid commercial, government or military use.

As the open source free software is taking over in the Linux world, those who speak about freeware nowadays are usually talking about free software in the Windows world.

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History of use of the term

The term freeware was coined by Andrew Fluegelman when he wanted to distribute a communications program named PC-Talk that he had created but for which he did not wish to use traditional methods of distribution because of their cost. Previously, he held a trademark on the term "freeware" but this trademark has since been abandoned. Fluegelman actually distributed PC-Talk via a process now referred to as shareware.

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Types

There are many variations on the freeware model. Freeware is an umbrella term which includes:

  • Loss leader. Commercial vendors often release freeware as a loss leader to attract customers to other services or products available for a fee.
  • Adware. Adware is distributed as freeware, but it requires the user to view advertisements to use the software. Many cases of spyware have been adware.
  • Donationware or Beggarware or Nagware. The authors of donationware ask that anyone using their software make a donation to the authors or to some third party such as a charity. Because the donation is optional, donationware may also be freeware or fall into some other category.
  • Abandonware. Abandonware is commercial software that has not been sold for a long time or whose copyright holder is defunct; it has been "abandoned". The licenses of most such software forbid redistribution or require payment, so distributing it violates the author's copyright (even if the author does not or cannot enforce it). "Legal abandonware" is a misnomer for commercial software that has been re-released by the copyright holder as freeware.
  • Postcardware. The software is essentially freeware, however the author requests that you send a post card expressing thanks and providing feedback.
  • Baitware. Very limited or defective freeware software, released to deceptively attract users and drive them to commercial products.
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Related software types

  • Shareware is distributed similarly to freeware, except that it requires payment after some trial period.
    • One type of shareware is crippleware, for which the user can pay to unlock more features or get a "full version".
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See also

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External links

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Sources

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Some freeware sites

This article is part of the series: forms of software distribution

Abandonware | Adware | Beerware | Careware | Crippleware | Donateware | Free software | Freeware | Hostageware | Nagware | Open source | Postcardware | Shareware | Shovelware | Vaporware

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