shareware

American  

[shair-wair] / ˈʃɛərˌwɛər /

noun

Computers.

1. software distributed without initial charge but for which the user is encouraged to pay a nominal fee to cover support for continued use.

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shareware British  

/ ˈʃɛəˌwɛə /

noun

1. computing software available to all users without the need for a licence and for which a token fee is requested

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Etymology

Origin of shareware

share ¹ + -ware

Compare meaning

How does shareware compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• freeware vs. shareware

Example Sentences

The company was built on a shareware model, encouraging users to download antiviral software for free and pay later.

From Los Angeles Times

Our experience was more consuming shareware, you know, games where it was “try before you buy.”

From The Verge

It feels to me like all of these clunky, free, webtoon paper doll sites, pink online worlds, and inscrutable animal-raising shareware games were part of an early computing vocabulary for young women, in particular.

From The Verge

The DOS Games Archives promises clean shareware, freeware and public-domain software.

From New York Times

In addition to collaborating on the company’s games, he masterminded all of their early marketing campaigns and shareware distribution schemes, with astounding results.

From Literature

Related Words

• application
• application software
• program