Editing Freeware (section)

===Relation to other forms of software licensing===
[[File:Open-source-vs-freeware.svg|thumb|This [[Venn diagram]] describes the typical relationship between freeware and [[open source software]]: According to David Rosen from [[Wolfire Games]] in 2010, open source software (orange) is most often gratis but not always. Freeware (green) seldom expose their source codes.<ref name="wolfire2010">{{cite web|url=http://blog.wolfire.com/2010/05/Open-source-software-is-not-always-freeware |title=Open-source software is not always freeware |date=May 16, 2010 |access-date=2016-01-18 |first=David |last=Rosen |publisher=wolfire.com}}</ref>]]
The [[U.S. Department of Defense]] (DoD) defines "open source software" (i.e., free software or free and open-source software), as distinct from "freeware" or "shareware"; it is software where "the Government does not have access to the original source code".<ref name="dod-definition">{{citation | url=https://dodcio.defense.gov/Open-Source-Software-FAQ/ | title=Frequently Asked Questions regarding Open Source Software (OSS) and the Department of Defense (DoD) | quote=Also, do not use the terms "freeware" or "shareware" as a synonym for "open source software". DoD Instruction 8500.2, “Information Assurance (IA) Implementation”, Enclosure 4, control DCPD-1, states that these terms apply to software where "the Government does not have access to the original source code". The government does have access to the original source code of open source software, so these terms do not apply. | access-date=2012-06-11}}</ref> The "free" in "freeware" refers to the price of the software, which is typically [[proprietary software|proprietary]] and distributed without source code. By contrast, the "free" in "free software" refers to freedoms granted users under the software license (for example, to run the program for any purpose, modify and redistribute the program to others), and such software may be sold at a price.

According to the [[Free Software Foundation]] (FSF), "freeware" is a loosely defined category and it has no clear accepted definition, although FSF asks that [[free software]] (libre; unrestricted and with source code available) should not be called freeware.<ref name="gnu" />
In contrast the Oxford English Dictionary simply characterizes freeware as being "available free of charge (sometimes with the suggestion that users should make a donation to the provider)".<ref>{{OED|freeware}}</ref>

Some freeware products are released alongside paid versions that either have more features or less restrictive licensing terms. This approach is known as [[freemium]] ("free" + "premium"), since the "free" version is intended as a promotion for the premium version.<ref name="freeisnot"/> The two often share a code base, using a [[compiler flag]] to determine which is produced. For example, [[BBEdit]] has a [[BBEdit Lite]] edition which has fewer features. [[XnView]] is available free of charge for personal use but must be licensed for commercial use. The "free" version may be advertising supported, as was the case with the [[DivX]].

{{Anchor|Registerware}}[[Ad-supported software]] and registerware also bear resemblances to freeware. Ad-supported software does not ask for payment for a license, but displays advertising to either cover development costs or as a means of income. Registerware forces the user to subscribe with the publisher before being able to use the product. While commercial products [[Product activation|may require registration to ensure licensed use]], registerware do not.<ref>{{Cite journal|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=akoEAAAAMBAJ&q=registerware&pg=RA1-PA101|title = An exercise in frustration? Registerware forces users to jump through hoops|last = Foster|first = Ed|date = 11 Jan 1999|journal = [[InfoWorld]]|volume = 21|issue = 2|issn = 0199-6649|publisher = InfoWorld Media Group}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ZkoEAAAAMBAJ&q=registerware&pg=PA46|title = Is registerware an anti-piracy necessity?|date = 1 Feb 1999|journal = [[InfoWorld]]|issn = 0199-6649|publisher = InfoWorld Media Group|volume = 21|issue = 5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jz0EAAAAMBAJ&q=registerware&pg=PA61|title = Since you asked...|last = Foster|first = Ed|date = 14 Oct 2002|journal = [[InfoWorld]]|publisher = InfoWorld Media Group|volume = 24|issue = 41|issn = 0199-6649}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=yT0EAAAAMBAJ&q=registerware&pg=PA68|title = A vote for fair play|last = Foster|first = Ed |date = 18 Nov 2002|journal = [[InfoWorld]]|issn = 0199-6649|volume = 24|issue = 46|publisher = InfoWorld Media Group}}</ref>

Shareware permits redistribution, but the license only allows limited use before paying the license fee.<ref>{{cite web
 | url         = https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/categories.html
 | title       = Categories of free and nonfree software
 | quote       = Shareware is software which comes with permission for people to redistribute copies, but says that anyone who continues to use a copy is required to pay a license fee.
 | access-date = 2023-04-03
 }}
</ref> Some features may be disabled prior to payment, in which case it is sometimes known as crippleware.

Both freeware and shareware sometimes have a limited evaluation period, after which the software is automatically disabled or starts displaying a request to pay a registration fee. In the latter case it is colloquially known as nagware.