What is characteristic of shareware?

Shareware is characterized by offering a trial period during which users can evaluate the software for free. If they find it useful and wish to continue using it after the trial, a payment is typically required to unlock its full features or extend its usage. This model allows users to experience the software before making a financial commitment, which can often lead to higher conversion rates from trial to paid users.

The nature of shareware is inherently designed to promote the software while also generating revenue through user registrations. This approach helps developers gauge interest and collect feedback on their products. It stands apart from other software licensing models, such as freeware, which is always free, or commercial software that requires payment upfront without a trial option.