What Is Shareware?
So what exactly is shareware? Shareware is software that is distributed on a trial basis with the understanding by the users of the software that there may be a small charge by the author to continue to use it. Most shareware is delivered free of charge by downloading it from the Internet either from the author's website or from a software download site. By registering the software and paying the fee, you become registered with the author and can receive technical support and software updates when they become available.
You can copy shareware and pass it along to friends and colleagues, as long as it is the trial version of the software and not the registered version. They are also expected to pay a registration fee if they intend on using the software regularly beyond the trial period.
The trial period of the computer software is entirely dependent on the software author and can vary a great deal. Typically, the trial period can be anywhere from 10-30 days or even 45-60 days. Some trial periods are based on usage and only allow users to open the program a limited number of times. The functionality of the software can be limited as well. Some authors will release fully functional software, whereas others will offer a limited version of the full program.
All the software here at CoffeeCup is offered as a fully functional trial version for users to try out for a limited amount of time. You can check out our free trial downloads on our software page.
Trial Software vs. Shareware
What's the difference between trial software and shareware? Not much. Shareware is an older term that's being superseded by the term trial software. In the early days of shareware, many users thought it was OK to register the software and then share the registered version with others, but this simply isn't the case. To avoid this problem, the more precise term trial software was introduced.
Freeware vs. Trial Software
What exactly is freeware? Freeware, unlike trial software, is software that is completely free for anyone to use or pass along to other to use. The difference between freeware and trial software is that freeware is just that: free. You never have to pay to use freeware, and you can pass it along for others to use, too.
However, there are a few disadvantages to using freeware. One such disadvantage is that the author may stop developing and improving it. If you use a freeware program on a regular basis, check with the developer to see if they plan to continue developing it and offering updates. Another disadvantage is that you may not get technical support. Of course, this is dependent on the developer, so you should check directly with the company to learn their policy.
Where Can You Get Trial Software, Shareware, and Freeware?
Oftentimes you can download shareware, trial software, and freeware directly from the author's website or software download sites. Software download sites are archives of thousands of different programs, such as educational software, Web design software, network software, and so much more. Best of all, it's all available in one place.
Websites such as Tucows review and rate the software they offer. Other sites such as download.com have their editorial staff review the software but also allow users to comment and offer feedback.
The Advantages
So what are the advantages of shareware, trial software, and freeware? Well, the advantage of freeware is just that — it's free. For shareware and trial software, however, the big advantage is that you can try the software before you buy it. Using shareware through the trial period gives you ample time to test out the software before you buy it. It also gives you the opportunity to try out several different products and see which one best suits your needs.
Another advantage of shareware and trial software is that it's usually a lot less expensive than store-bought software. This is because the software authors don't have to pay the extra overhead for packaging and printed materials, which allows them to pass the savings on to the consumer.
Overall, the distribution of shareware, trial software, and freeware continues to improve, with more vendors producing software for users to try before they buy.
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