大约四十年前，当程序员Andrew Fluegelman为(Andrew Fluegelman)IBM PC创建 PC-Talk 程序时，第一次使用了免费软件这个术语，尽管它最初并不是免费分发的。
几个月后，Microsoft软件(Microsoft)开发人员Bob Wallace开发了(Bob Wallace)PC-Write文字处理器，并将其称为共享软件，因为它不是免费分发的。
理想情况下，免费软件 - 或免费软件 - 完全免费提供，没有任何功能或时间限制。另一方面，Shareware是商业软件的预览版，具有功能、时间和使用方面的限制，以及其他难以促使您购买完整版的因素。(Shareware)
我们将通过每种软件类型的示例分别查看每个术语，并向您展示它们为何不同。
什么是免费软件？(What Is Freeware?)
免费软件(Freeware)是“免费”和“软件”的混合体，指的是 100% 免费的软件，没有付费许可证、费用、到期日期或使用限制。
不过，这不应该与“自由软件”混淆，因为它没有限制，让用户可以自由地对程序做任何他们想做( the freedom to do whatever they want)的事情。
免费软件(Freeware)可以免费使用，但受版权保护，而免费软件是无版权的，没有约束或限制。自由软件的用户可以对程序的核心元素进行更改，重写或覆盖他们想要的任何内容，并随心所欲地进行更改。
自由软件(Free software)本身并不是免费的，因为它没有成本因素，但是，要真正免费，软件开发人员必须通过提供源代码来发布它。免费软件的一些示例包括LibreOffice和GIMP等。
它在法律上是可再分配的，用户可以从中获利，无论他们是否花费任何费用来获得它或从中赚取比初始成本更多的钱。
免费软件(Freeware)完全免费，但仍受版权保护，其源代码可能免费提供，也可能不提供。与自由软件不同，创建一个全新的程序不一定是可编辑或可修改的。
它可能会受到限制，特别是在用于商业目的而不是私人使用的情况下，并且存在具有更多功能的付费版本。在这种情况下，开发人员可能会限制其功能。
通常，开发人员拥有商业和免费软件，因此他们提供免费软件版本以宣传商业版本，但功能较少。
例如，免费软件可能带有广告，或者开发人员可能会锁定一些功能，直到用户购买商业版本，或者获得解锁额外工具的许可证。
免费软件开发人员还授予用户或多或少的程序访问权和自由度，并有余地锁定源代码或限制其在特定环境中的使用，以及其他限制。
有一些免费软件程序可供公众免费使用，用于教育目的。
免费软件的例子(Examples Of Freeware)
免费软件(Freeware)来自许多来源并以不同的形式出现。
您可以找到免费的 PC 游戏(freeware PC games)、驱动程序更新程序、数据销毁软件，以及免费的移动应用程序、防病毒软件、图像编辑程序(image editing programs)等。
Skype、Google Chrome、 PDF 文件阅读器Adobe Acrobat、CCleaner和AOMEI Backupper是当今广泛使用的一些实际示例。
此外，请务必查看我们可以下载的99 个最佳免费软件程序的优秀列表。(99 of the best freeware programs)
什么是共享软件？(What Is Shareware?)
共享软件(Shareware)是免费提供的商业软件，但专为与他人共享而设计。开发人员(Developers)在试用的基础上分发共享软件，或者以具有有效期的有限格式分发共享软件，以便用户可以测试运行该软件并希望决定购买完整版本。
共享软件的一个很好的例子是开发者在有限的基础上提供的新游戏，允许游戏玩家在购买完整版之前体验和分享。
与可以无限期免费使用的免费软件不同，共享软件的使用时间是有限的，即使它是免费的。
共享软件的另一个限制是，您只有在通过购买软件获得共享软件许可证后才能获得该软件的全部功能。您会发现大多数共享软件程序不断地唠叨用户购买完整版，或在试用期结束后锁定功能。
一些开发人员可能会使用登录屏幕来授予对具有有效注册详细信息的用户帐户的访问权限，或者提供产品密钥或许可证文件(product key or license file)以升级到高级版本。
共享软件的例子(Examples Of Shareware)
共享软件可以在广泛的类别中找到，主要集中在使用户更容易满足特定的计算需求。这些类别包括：
- Freemium 或 liteware(Freemium or liteware)，它是免费的，但仅限于非高级功能。如果您想访问高级或高级功能，您必须先付费。它限制了使用时间，并对使用该软件的人施加了限制，例如个人、学生或企业。免费增值的一个很好的例子是CCleaner，它的标准功能是完全免费的，但您需要为定期清洁、高级支持、更新等付费。
- 广告软件(Adware)或广告支持的软件是一种流行的共享软件。它的安装程序文件中带有广告。在软件运行之前、期间或之后运行的其他带有弹出广告或程序内广告的应用程序也被视为广告软件。
- Demoware或演示软件是您可以免费使用的共享软件，但它会将您限制在特定的时间范围内，例如免费试用或限制（削弱）程序的大多数主要功能，直到您付费为止。
- Nagware是一种令人讨厌的共享软件，它可能会偶尔提醒您付费使用它，或者侵入性地建议升级到高级版本以访问功能。当您打开、使用或关闭软件时，它们往往以弹出窗口或广告的形式出现。AVG和Avira等一些免费的防病毒软件是 nagware 的罪魁祸首。
- Donationware通常免费提供共享软件，但建议您捐赠少量资金来激活和访问某些付费功能。
(Popular)您可能知道的流行共享软件程序包括WinRAR、AnyDVD、Adobe和Microsoft程序、一些防病毒软件等等。
共享软件可能带有一些安全问题，例如恶意软件，网络犯罪分子通过看似合法的URL链接或广告发送这些安全问题，但会将用户重定向到充满恶意软件的页面，而不是真正安全的共享软件应用程序。
它特别危险，因为大多数此类程序都没有获得完全许可并且没有更新或补丁，这可能会使您的系统也面临风险，尤其是如果留在计算机上。
总结–免费软件与共享软件之间的差异(In Summary – Differences Between Freeware Vs Shareware)
- 版权和所有权：(Copyright and ownership:) 免费软件(Freeware)受版权保护，100% 免费无限期，但开发人员保留程序的所有权，以便他们可以根据需要进行进一步的更改，并可能在未来将其变成高级产品。共享软件(Shareware)受版权保护，可免费共享，但评估期有限。
- 费用：(Cost: )您可以免费下载免费软件，而共享软件允许您在有限的时间内试用该软件，然后再付费购买完整版。
- 特点：(Features:) 免费软件(Freeware)使所有功能都可用，没有任何限制。共享软件(Shareware)在其试用版或精简版中提供有限的功能，在您购买许可证并访问完整功能之前，某些功能会被禁用。
- 权限：(Permissions:) 免费软件(Freeware)开发人员允许用户免费下载和复制软件的功能齐全的程序，无需确认。它通常是可下载的，但没有源代码以防止用户对其进行更改。共享软件(Shareware)开发人员鼓励人们在有限的时间内尝试他们的功能，但他们可以自由地与他人共享该程序。
Freeware Versus Shareware – What’s The Difference?
The term freeware was first usеd nearly four decades ago when Andrew Flυegelman, a programmer, created the РС-Talk program for the IBM PC, althoυgh it wasn’t freely distributed initially.
A few months later, Bob Wallace, a Microsoft software developer, developed the PC-Write word processor and called it shareware because it wasn’t distributed freely.
Ideally, freeware – or free software – is fully available for free, without any feature or time limits. Shareware, on the other hand, is a preview version of commercial software with limits on features, time and usage, plus other hobbling to nudge you to purchase the full version.
We’re going to look at each term individually with examples of each type of software, and show you why they’re different.
What Is Freeware?
Freeware is a portmanteau of “free” and “software”, and refers to software that’s 100 percent free, without no paid licenses, fees, expiration dates or restrictions on their use.
This shouldn’t be confused with “free software” though, which gives users the freedom to do whatever they want with the program as it’s void of restrictions.
Freeware is free to use, at no cost but is under copyright, while free software is copyright-free and has no constraints or limitations. Users of free software can make changes to the programs’ core elements, rewrite or overwrite whatever they want, and change it as they please.
Free software isn’t free as such because there’s no cost element to it, but, to be truly free, the software developer has to release it by giving away the source code. Some examples of free software include LibreOffice and GIMP among others.
It’s legally redistributable and users can profit from it, whether or not they spent anything to get it or make more from it than the initial cost.
Freeware is completely free but copyrighted nonetheless, and its source code may or may not be freely available. Unlike free software, it isn’t necessarily editable or modifiable to create a whole new program.
It may be restrictive particularly where it’s used for commercial purposes and not private use, and a paid edition exists with more features. In this case, the developer may restrict its functionality.
Normally, developers have commercial and free software, so they give out the freeware version in a bid to advertise the commercial version, but with fewer features.
For instance, the freeware may come with ads, or the developer may lock down a few features until the user purchases the commercial version, or gets a license that unlocks the extra tools.
Freeware developers also grant users more or less access and freedom to the program and have the leeway to lock down the source code or restrict its usage in specific environments, among other restrictions.
There are some freeware programs that are freely available to the public for educational purposes.
Examples Of Freeware
Freeware comes from many sources and in different forms.
You can find freeware PC games, driver updater programs, data destruction software, and freeware mobile apps, antivirus software, image editing programs and more.
Skype, Google Chrome, PDF file reader Adobe Acrobat, CCleaner and AOMEI Backupper are some practical examples that are widely used today.
Also, be sure to check out our excellent list of 99 of the best freeware programs you can download.
What Is Shareware?
Shareware is commercial software that’s available at no cost but is designed for sharing with others. Developers distribute shareware on a trial basis or in a limited format with an expiry date, so that users can test run the software and hopefully decide to purchase the full versions.
A good example of shareware is the new games developers make available on a limited basis, allowing gamers to experience and share before purchasing the full version.
Unlike freeware that can be used at no cost and for an unlimited period of time, shareware is limited in the length of time you can use it for, even though it’s cost-free.
Another limitation with shareware is that you only get the full functionality of the software once you get a shareware license by buying the software. You’ll find most shareware programs constantly nagging users to buy the full version, or lock down functionality after the trial period has ended.
Some developers may use a login screen to grant access to a user account with valid registration details, or, offer a product key or license file to upgrade to the premium version.
Examples Of Shareware
Shareware can be found in a wide range of categories, mostly focused on making it easier for users to fulfill specific computing needs. These categories include:
- Freemium or liteware, which is free but limited to non-premium features. If you want to access premium or advanced features, you have to pay first. It limits usage time and imposes restrictions on who uses the software, such as individuals, students or businesses. A good example of freemium is CCleaner, whose standard features are completely free, but you pay for scheduled cleaning, premium support, updates and more.
- Adware or ad-supported software is a popular type of shareware. It comes with advertisements within its installer file. Other apps with popup ads or in-program ads running before, during or after the software runs are considered adware too.
- Demoware, or demonstration software, is shareware you can use for free, but it limits you to a specific time frame like free trials or restricts (cripples) most primary functions of the program until you pay for it.
- Nagware is the annoying type of shareware that may send occasional reminders for you to pay to use it, or intrusively suggest upgrades to a premium version to access features. They tend to come in the form of popups or ads when you open, use or close the software. Some free antiviruses like AVG and Avira are culprits of nagware.
- Donationware usually offers the shareware for free but suggest that you donate a small amount of money to activate and access some paid features.
Popular shareware programs you may know about include WinRAR, AnyDVD, Adobe and Microsoft programs, some antivirus software and more.
Shareware may come with a few security issues like malware, which cybercriminals send through URL links or ads that seem legit but redirect users to malware-ridden pages instead of the genuinely safe shareware application.
It’s particularly at risk because most such programs aren’t fully licensed and don’t have updates or patches, which may put your system at risk too, especially if left on the computer.
In Summary – Differences Between Freeware Vs Shareware
- Copyright and ownership: Freeware is copyrighted and 100 percent free for an unlimited time, but developers retain ownership of the programs so they can make further changes if they want, and possibly turn it into a premium product in the future. Shareware is copyrighted and free to share, but for a limited evaluation period.
- Cost: You can download freeware at no cost, while shareware allows you to try the software for a limited time, before paying for the full version.
- Features: Freeware makes all features available with no restrictions whatsoever. Shareware offers limited features in its trial or liteware version, with some capabilities disabled until you buy a license for it and access the complete features.
- Permissions: Freeware developers give users fully functional programs with permission to download and copy the software at no cost and without acknowledgment. It’s usually downloadable but without the source code to prevent users from making changes to it. Shareware developers encourage people to try their features for a limited time but they’re free to share the program with others.
