What is shareware?

The term "shareware" refers to the popular software distribution method where a software product is made available as a free trial. The trial version of the software is usually limited in some way. In most cases, it has a set trial period (commonly 30 days) during which the software can be evaluated.

Those wishing to continue using the software after the trial period has elapsed can then purchase a license to use the full version of the software.

The shareware software distribution concept benefits software publishers and consumers alike. Software publishers benefit from having a low-cost distribution system for their software (people commonly download shareware software for free from online download sites such as Multimedia Australia's SwiftDownloads.com website). Consumers benefit because they are able to use and evaluate the software before deciding whether they want to purchase it.

The term "shareware" has been in use for many years, and is the most recognised software distribution method on the Internet.

Recently, some software publishers have opted to use the word "trialware" instead of shareware, stating that the word trialware gives a more accurate description. The use of the term "shareware" dates back before the wide-spread use of the Internet when software authors encouraged people to "share" the trial versions of their software. Today, most trial software is downloaded directly from a software publisher's website or a software download site, thus removing much of the "sharing" aspect.

Nowdays, the words shareware, trialware and trial can be used interchangeably to describe "shareware" products, although the word "trial" can also describe software that does not have shareware functionality.

Other common types of software distribution include freeware (software that can be used without payment to the author), demo software (programs that demonstrate the functionality of an application/game), and open source (free software that is open to development by different publishers, in the form of an online community).

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