What is Freeware

Freeware computer programs are those programs that have registered s and are available for free use for an unlimited period of time, as opposed to shareware programs for which the user is required to pay after testing. In shareware method, the programs are available to be downloaded or received as bonuses in a demo or trial version and if you would like the complete program you have to buy it. Free software downloads which can be used entirely for the purpose of their creation without limitations of usage for the one who downloads it explain the meaning of freeware. The free software programs are entirely free of charge and at disposal to anyone interested. Since the emergence of the concept and its rapid developing, many programmers or even companies have developed freeware programs and you can easily find on the Internet a large range of products from freeware CD burner to freeware antivirus software.

Even if there is no payment involved in freeware method, the software license may establish one or more restrictions on use such as personal, non-commercial, academic, commercial or other combinations of these. For example, the license may be 'free for personal use and non-commercial.' Some programs may be considered freeware, but have a limited distribution. For example the program can be downloaded and used by the person who downloads it entirely for free but it may never be redistributed by him.

Programmers who create freeware programs often want to 'give something the community', while to be recognized as authors and have control over their evolution. Most times, when a programmer decide to stop the development of a freeware product, they will hand the original source code to another programmer or the source code will be made public. Freeware is different from Free Software with the meaning 'free.' Freeware is free and Free Software means freedom to study, modify, copy, redistribute and use for any purpose, but is not necessarily free. However, many programs can be both free software and freeware.