Freeware

What Does Freeware Mean?

Freeware is any copyrighted software, application or program that may be freely downloaded, installed, used and shared. Such programs are available for use at no cost to general end users. Freeware differs from free software, as the latter allows a user to modify source code for republishing or integration with other software.

Techopedia Explains Freeware

As small software utilities, freeware is free to use throughout its lifetime because it does not expire after a certain period. Freeware may be used for a desktop, mobile or Web-based utility.

Generally, freeware is a concise and limited version of a larger and paid software program. Vendors publish freeware to provide a limited but free version of software to prospective buyers prior to purchase. Additionally, large independent software vendors (ISV) publish freeware to enhance brand buzz and market reputation.

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Margaret Rouse

Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.

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