Freeware
Freeware is software which the users can use free of cost. Moreover, there are no restrictions on the use limit, the number of times one can download the software, etc. Besides, it depends on the owner of the software to pose the restrictions. Some organizations keep restrictions on distribution or modification while others may not.
Furthermore, it does not mean that the source code is also available along with the software. We can say that these are closed source software.
Advantages of freeware are as follows:
- Available to users free of cost.
- Distribution is free of cost.
Examples of Freeware
Examples are as follows:
- Adobe PDF
- Yahoo Messenger
- Google Talk
- MSN messenger
- Skype
- VLC Player
- LibreOffice
- Microsoft Edge etc.
Advantages of Freeware
One may think that why a developer or an organization will sell its software free of cost. But, there are few reasons to make such software. They are as follows:
- To promote a particular brand.
- To promote a program of a non-profit organization or an educational institute.
- Can help in collecting traffic for a website.
- Many companies earn revenues by advertising or in-app purchases.
- Offering a ‘lite’ version of the software to attract people towards the full version.
- Earning revenues by downloads.
- People who cannot afford to pay money can buy this software.
- There is no time limit for usage.
Therefore, people make this software free of cost which can benefit both the developer as well as the users.
Disadvantages of Freeware
- Maintenance Charges: After selling the software the company has to spend money to maintain the software and pay its developers.
- Errors Handling: If there are any bugs the organization has to correct them free of cost.
- Source Code Access: Users are not having any right on the source code. Hence, they cannot make any changes according to themselves.
- Distribution: Users have no right to distribute the code further.
- Copyright: The users need to follow certain copyright rules. Besides, they cannot use the software without following these rules.
Open Source Software
Open source software is software in which the source code is also available along with the software. Moreover, the users have the right to view, modify, and enhance this code. Furthermore, no license is required for the software. The software can be cost-free or chargeable. besides, the user can also share the software without any license violation. Examples are Android, Linux, Apache Server, Ionic, MySQL, etc.
Shareware
This software is available free of cost but only up to a certain time limit. Furthermore, after the time limit, the user has to pay the money to use the software. Since, after the time limit, the software deactivates itself. Its main advantage is that users can understand and know about the software before buying it.
Examples are WinZip, Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional, GetRight, etc.
Proprietary Software
It is software that is available only after buying the proper license of the software. moreover, only the owner has the right to change or sell the software. The owner can be an individual developer or an organization. Closed Source Software or Commercial Software is its other name. Besides, it has certain restrictions like:
- The number of people who can use the software is limited.
- Requires a license.
- Users cannot distribute the software further
- The system or type of environment that the software requires.
Examples are macOS, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Windows Professional Edition.
Difference Between Free Software and Freeware
| Free Software | Freeware |
| It is software in which the source code is available to the users. Furthermore, users can view, modify, and enhance the software. They can also distribute the software further. Moreover, they are less costly but not free of cost. | They are easily available which anyone can download and use free of cost. |
| A license is not usually required. | Both license and copyright are important. |
| Further distribution by users is free of cost. | Distribution is free of cost. |
| Features are free. | Features are free. |
| Examples are Mozilla Firefox, Linux, etc. | Examples are Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, etc. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is freeware?
A1. Freeware is software which the users can use free of cost. Moreover, there are no restrictions on the use limit, the number of times one can download the software, etc.
Q2. Give some examples of freeware.
A2. Some examples are:
- Adobe PDF
- Yahoo Messenger
- Google Talk
- MSN messenger
- Skype
- VLC Player
- LibreOffice
- Microsoft Edge etc.
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