Freeware software, translated into Turkish as 'free software', does not require any license fee for use.

What is Freeware?

Software distributed as freeware does not require a license or usage fee. However, this does not mean that such software is unlicensed or open source. The term 'freeware' was first used in 1980 by Andrew Fluegelman when he released his PC-Talk software for free.

Developers may choose to distribute their software and games as freeware. There is no standard, universally accepted license type for freeware. Each developer can set their own rules for the use of the software they provide for free.

Freeware can be offered for personal or commercial use at no cost. Often, versions of software for personal use are offered as free software, while commercial use may require a licensing fee. Alternatively, the free version may have certain limitations, while paid versions may remove these limitations and also offer additional features. These free versions, also known as 'freemium', are used as a marketing tool to promote the paid version. Additionally, free software does not always have open source code. Developers may choose to release their application as both free and closed source. Free software may also come with restrictions that prevent modification and redistribution.

The way freeware is offered, and what features are free, depend entirely on the revenue model the developer uses for their product. Developers may choose to earn revenue through in-app advertising or donations, or attract potential customers with a free version to sell a paid version of the software. Or, they might not aim for profit, instead contributing to the community.

Difference Between Freeware and Free Software

The concepts of freeware and free software, as it is called in English, are often confused, but there are clear differences between them. The only similarity is that they can both be used for free.

Free software is software that is not protected by any license required for use. It is published openly along with its source codes, and anyone can modify and redistribute it as they wish. Free software is open source. It can be used by everyone without limits. However, the defining point of free software is not just being open source. Open source software may also have licenses that restrict reuse or commercial use. None of this applies to free software. Generally, it is expected that new applications developed using the existing source code are distributed in the same way. Free software is more of a philosophy advocating for the freedom and freeness of software.

Freeware, on the other hand, covers all software that can be used for free. This includes various types of software like free software, open source software, trial versions with limited features, or free versions.