In order to get the most out of our Windows computer, we use different types of software on a daily basis. With this we can perform all the tasks we need both to work and to have fun in our leisure time. Some of these software we buy and others we use for free. Of these programs, some may contain monthly or annual fees, while others show us ads, in exchange for being able to test them beforehand. It is what we know as shareware software.
That is why today we are going to talk about this type of program, to know what exactly they are and what they are used for so that we can easily know how to differentiate them. We will also learn a little about its origin, the different types that make it up, its advantages, as well as its drawbacks.
What is a shareware program
Shareware is commercial software with copyright, which is distributed free of charge to users. This format allows developers to put their products in the hands of potential users for a trial , in the hope that they will decide to purchase the fully functional version of the program. Some shareware may even contain advanced paid features or offer the full package for a limited time . Additionally, some may be included fully functional and supported solely by voluntary donations.
This type of software is especially popular with gamers as they offer the chance to try the game on a limited basis for a period of time. Once the evaluation period is over, we can choose to uninstall the game, continue playing it while paying a monthly fee or buy its full version, as the case may be.
We must be clear that shareware is not free and open source software, so we will not have access to its source code. Developers of this type of program make money from it or by promoting their software products. The more installations are made, the more popular their products become and from there they start to earn money.
Its origin
Shareware was first introduced in the early 1980s, and its popularity increased mainly in the 1990s as personal computing became widespread in both offices and homes. Its creators were Jim Button , author of PC-File (database program) and Andrew Fluegleman , author of PC-Talk (communication program).
Curiously, initially the idea arose to share free software with other users. However, over time they realized that they could not afford to develop the software and update it with new features. It is from then on that they decided to allow users to copy their software, but instead they introduced a line in the program requesting 20 dollars to finance its development.
Although Fluegleman took it upon himself to register free software in the hope of making money, the way it was distributed was different, so this term could not be used. On the other hand, using the term “user-supported software” was felt to be too long and uncommercial. For this reason, a computer magazine organized a contest to find the most appropriate name, and shareware was chosen.
Main reasons for its success
Once it was granted and shareware programs began to emerge, it became a success. Computer magazines began to write good reviews about this new way of distributing software, so this free publicity quickly spread among users.
In this way, users did not have to buy shareware software in stores without knowing if the program was what they really needed. They were drawn to the fact that they could try the program first , and then if they liked it they could pay a small fee and receive upgrades. At that time, the usual software had very high prices, while the cost of shareware is very low, which favored its distribution
We must also take into account that it would be easier and more efficient for the authors of this software to offer their programs as shareware, instead of investing time and money in selling them through specialized stores. Furthermore, while other programs take care to use anti-copy protections in their products, shareware authors encouraged their users to copy and distribute the program , increasing their popularity.
Types of shareware
Today we can find different types and ways by which shareware software is developed and distributed. The most common are:
- Adware : is a type of software that is responsible for showing ads and advertising to users, this being the way in which they earn money.
- Freemium : is a type of software that offers limited functions of a program for free. In the case of wanting to obtain the rest of the functions, it is necessary to pay the corresponding fee.
- Nagware : This type is responsible for displaying alert messages to the user to encourage them to buy the software. It is possible to close the alert message and continue to use the program for free, or purchase it to make the alerts go away.
- Crippleware – This is photo and video editing software that adds a watermark to the final images or videos. In order for them to disappear, it will be necessary to acquire their license.
- Trialware : it is a test software which offers a certain time to use it. Once finished, it will not open and you will need to purchase your license key to continue using it.
- Postcardware – This type of software forces the user to send an email to the author.
- Donationware – Through this type of shareware, the user can use all the features of the program for free. This has a link so that we can optionally send a donation to the author, being able to continue using the program for free without having to make it.
Surely many of these forms of developing and distributing shareware will be very familiar to us since there are many programs that use any of these types to promote themselves.
Differences with freeware
It is possible that sometimes we can confuse the terms of shareware with freeware, although both have clearly differentiated purposes.
Freeware is software that, although it has copyright, is distributed at no cost to the user. The developer himself retains all rights to the program, in addition to being able to control its distribution. It does not include licenses to pay, fees, expiration dates or restrictions on its use. However, it should not be confused with “free software”, which allows users the freedom to do what they want with the program since there are no restrictions.
For its part, the objective of shareware is to encourage users to share the limited version of the software as a trial or in a limited format with an expiration date so that it can be tested before purchasing the full version. With this, a greater distribution and sale of this product is promoted.
Not all are advantages, there are also risks
The use of shareware software has several advantages for both the developer and the user, although it also has some risks that are important to be aware of.
Among the advantages , as we have already seen, is mainly the possibility of trying the software before buying it, which offers security to the user that it is really what they are looking for. In addition, these programs, in general, tend to have a lower selling price than other purely commercial software and that it is not possible to test prior to purchase.
However, there are also drawbacks , as it must be taken into account that some shareware software obtains personal user information , which they later distribute to other marketing companies. Also some programs, once installed, slow down your computer and cause installations of other unknown and unwanted applications . In addition, we can come across software that begins to display ads or pop-up windows that affect its use, forcing us to pay if we do not want them to be displayed.
Shareware licensed programs
Next, we are going to show you some examples of well-known programs that have a shareware license, because on many occasions a good example is worth a thousand words.
WinRAR
Without a doubt, the most popular and used file compressor and decompressor is a clear example of shareware software. With this program we can create compressed files of the type .rar and .zip and can decompress compressed files .rar, .zip, .arj, .7z, .lzh, .ace, .tar, .tar.gz, .bz2, .uue , .cab, .jar and .iso. RAR and WinRAR are shareware programs, which means we can try it for free for 40 days . Once this trial period has passed, we will have to buy a license or uninstall them from your computer. Although, it is possible to continue using them while messages are displayed for your record. We can download it from its official website .
Malwarebytes Anti Malware
It was born in 2008 as one of the most complete security options capable of detecting and eliminating all kinds of malware. Its use is especially indicated as a second antivirus, since it does not interfere with the main one, and with which we can carry out both periodic and scheduled analyzes of our computer. With its free version we can perform manual scans of the computer and clean systems that are already infected. This shareware software offers a premium version with additional features that we have to pay for. We can download it from the developer’s website .
EaseUS Todo Backup
It is a well-known program to make backup copies of our most precious files. It also allows us to create backup copies that allow data recovery, customize the type of backup we want to perform (full, incremental or differential) and the creation of reports that will notify us of any mishap that may occur in the process. It has a free version that we can download from its website , but it does not include all the available functions. As a good shareware software, it will be necessary to buy some of its paid versions in order to obtain a greater number of functionalities .
