noun
- computer software that is distributed free of charge for trial use but requires payment for continued or full use
Usage: computing
Examples
- I downloaded the shareware version of the photo editor to test its features.
- The shareware program worked well for thirty days before asking for payment.
- Many useful utilities started as shareware before becoming commercial products.
- You can try the shareware for free, but some advanced features are disabled.
- The developer distributed his game as shareware to build a user base.
- Shareware was popular in the 1990s as a way to distribute software inexpensively.