Most people probably do not know what freeware means when you ask them what it is. But they have been using freeware in their daily routines. People use web browsers like Google Chrome to search for things or use WhatsApp to message friends, and these software applications are examples of freeware.
Freeware is software available for use at no cost. We can easily access, download, or share them through the internet and install and use them on our smartphones or PC. We derive a lot of benefits from freeware in performing simple and basic productivity tasks.
However, freeware has its limitations. Although it is free of charge, freeware is heavily copyrighted. Freeware falls under the classification of proprietary software programs or closed source software programs. This classification means that its developer or author keeps its source code hidden to prevent people from modifying or improving the software. For some people or groups, especially businesses, this could cause challenges.
In this article, we will go into the details of the pros and cons of freeware so you’ll have an idea of how to maximize its benefits and take note of its limitations. For businesses, this will provide you with useful information on deciding whether to use freeware alternatives for your operational needs.
PROS
- Free of cost
- Simple and easy to use
- Unlimited time for use
- Guaranteed support
- Versatile monetization structure
The primary and obvious benefit of freeware is the lack of cost it incurs for the user. Commercial software is quite expensive, so individuals usually pay for freeware. This is especially true if the work to be done is not for professional purposes or the software will only be used a few times.
Small businesses or even businesses with a tight budget usually opt for freeware to help reduce the technology cost for a company. The cost reduction is not an issue as long as the freeware can satisfactorily perform the job they want. When the business grows and becomes financially capable, they may buy the paid versions of the freeware.
Freeware applications are often marketed as a basic and simple introduction to a more sophisticated, paid version. As such, software developers deliberately make freeware applications user-friendly, easy to navigate, and efficient to use. This will ensure that satisfied users will be enticed to buy its advanced counterpart.
Most people who use freeware don’t have specific demands like prime quality for the output they need since that often results in increasing complexity. With that said, ease of use becomes an asset because it is an effective way for developers to garner more support, making it a win-win situation for both the users and the developers.
Freeware software is usually fully functional for an unlimited time. The only freeware applications that have a limited time are those offered as shareware. Shareware software is offered within a trial period, usually a few months, for free or with little cost. At the end of the trial period, the user will be required to pay the full fee to continue enjoying the software.
The prime example of this is the RAR software that offers the users the free unlimited service of compiling and organizing files to be easily uploaded into the internet.
Official websites of software developers usually have experts who can assist you with your queries on freeware. If not, they usually have a user’s manual posted for you to read. This is mostly the case where the developers post their updates and bug fixes to the official software website. More importantly, since freeware is free, many people are using it or have tried using it.
Several forums for a particular freeware usually exist to find answers to the issues you encounter with the software.
For most companies that want to create software, giving users free access to the app and its features is a tried and tested method to maximize their profit. In an increasingly developing market, people are becoming more forgiving about the presence of ads and other means of the developers’ monetization structure as long as the software gets the job done, making it open and accessible to company partnerships.
There are also in-app purchases that users can explore to improve their experience with the app, aside from its most basic features.
CONS
- Limited functionalities
- Liabilities and copyright infringements
- Frequent source of malware
- Perception of inferiority
- Unreliable data security
As they say, nothing is free. Some say this is true, even for freeware. Freeware usually includes the basic functions and core features in its programs. If you are satisfied with these functionalities, then freeware can work for you. Freeware leaves the more advanced and richer functionality in the commercial, paid versions, or a subscription fee. Common examples of this are video editing software that includes the most basic editing functions. But its more advanced and complicated features are reserved for the software’s premium version.
Since freeware applications are proprietary and closed source, developers have full control of the copyright while you only have the license to use it. Therefore, you do not have the right to redistribute or sell it to others for a fee.
Also, your license agreement might have specific restrictions which limit personal use, individual use, non-profit use, non-commercial use, academic use, commercial use, or any combination of these. Because license agreements vary from freeware, you need to be aware of the provisions to avoid copyright infringement or any liabilities.
Malware, short for malicious software, introduces computer virus, Trojan horse, or spyware to the computer system to damage its function and behavior. Malware developers commonly take advantage of the popularity of freeware to insert malware and distribute it to the public.
Since freeware software is free of charge, users usually accept the terms of agreement without knowing that some freeware programs contain malware. To avoid this, make sure you have an antivirus installed on your computer and download freeware from trusted sites only.
Since freeware applications are free, the perception of it being inferior to paid versions exists. People think that if you are giving something for nothing, then it must not be good. As a result, people do not value freeware applications, always ranking them behind costly software.
More often than not, the phrase “If the service is free, then you are the product” holds true to a lot of freeware available on the internet. Facebook app, for instance, is popular for its free use of every little feature it can offer. From a regular user’s perspective, especially those who aren’t tech-savvy, it doesn’t seem to be much of a problem at first glance. However, the problem came into the spotlight back in early 2018 when whistleblowers who once worked for the company shared that there were leaks of the website’s user data. These data were sold off to advertising companies for the latter to curate ads more effectively.
The biggest issue began when a political consulting firm, Cambridge Analytica, got their hands on billions of Facebook user data and used those to bombard the users with seemingly accurate political ads. Simply put, political figures weaponized user data to bend the digital space to their advantage.