shareware
Noun: * Software distributed free of charge for trial use: Shareware is a type of computer software that is made available to users at no initial cost. It is typically distributed for evaluation purposes, with the understanding that users may later be requested to pay a fee for continued use, for additional features, for removal of usage restrictions, or for supporting documentation.
Shareware operates on a "try before you buy" model. The software is fully functional, often for a limited trial period, allowing users to evaluate it. After the trial, users are ethically (and sometimes technically) obligated to pay the requested fee if they wish to continue using it legally. * The programmer released his utility as shareware, hoping users would pay the small registration fee if they found it useful. * Many popular applications began as shareware before becoming commercial products.
- Crippleware: A specific type of shareware where key features are disabled until the user pays. The free version is functionally limited.
- Donationware: A form of shareware where payment is requested as a voluntary donation to support development, rather than as a mandatory fee.
- Freemium: A related modern model where a basic version is free forever, but advanced features require payment. Unlike traditional shareware, the core free version often remains fully usable.
- Freeware (n): Software that is completely free to use, with no payment expected. Unlike shareware, it is not a trial.
- Commercial Software (n): Software that must be purchased before it can be used legally.
- Open-source Software (n): Software where the source code is freely available for modification and distribution, which is a different concept from shareware.
- Trial software
- Evaluation software
- Commercial software
- Proprietary software (in the context of licensing cost)
- software that is available free of charge; may be distributed for evaluation with a fee requested for additional features or a manual etc.