software that is available free of charge; may be distributed for evaluation with a fee requested for additional features or a manual etc.
"The developer released his new image editor as shareware, allowing users to try it out for free while reserving the full instruction manual and advanced filters for those who choose to pay."
A type of software that is distributed without payment but is limited in any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience.
"The company switched from expensive commercial tools to shareware because the free version offered all the features we needed despite its annoying startup banner and watermarked exports."
In plain English: Shareware is free software you can try out, but you usually have to pay if you want to keep using it.
"Many users install shareware to try out programs before paying for the full version."
Usage: Shareware refers to free-to-download programs where users must pay only if they wish to continue using the full version after a trial period. Unlike freeware, which remains permanently free with no time limit, shareware often restricts features until registration is completed.
The word shareware is a combination of "share" and "-ware," which was coined and popularized by software developer Bob Wallace. It describes computer programs that users can try for free before deciding to pay for them.