To choose between Free Software and Freeware, rate them on the comparison parameters by entering scores (+ve or -ve) in the comparison tool.
The total points are automatically shown in the top row. This should help you decide.
Freeware programs can be distributed free of cost.
Example:
Mozilla Firefox, gedit, vim, pidgin, gnu corutils, linux kernel
Adobe PDF, Google Talk, yahoo messenger, MSN messenger
About:
is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction.
Freeware refers to software that anyone can download from the Internet and use for free.
Inception:
1983 by Richard Stallmanto satisfy the need for and to give the benefit of "software freedom" to computer users.
The term freeware was first used by Andrew Fluegelman in 1982, when he wanted to sell a communications program named PC-Talk.
License and Copyright:
GNU General Public License or sometime similar. A copyright is usually put just on the name of the software.
User license or EULA (End User License Agreement) is an important part of freeware. Each license is specific to the freeware. Copyright laws are also applicable to Freeware.
Features:
All the features are free.
All the features are free.
Freeware is any software that is distributed for use at a price of zero. However, freeware may not be "free software". Free software is that which has no copyright or other restrictions for distributing, modifying and using the software in any way.
For example, a software developer may choose to make her software available for download and use on her website. This software may be freeware if downloaded for personal use but commercial use may require a fee. In either case, if it is prohibited to freely distribute (for any purpose) or modify the software, then this freeware is not free software.
Comments: Free Software vs Freeware [Add Comments]
Comments on Free Software only
If free software is defined as "and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction," then nothing under the GPL licence is free software. They have very well defined restrictions on how GPL licenced code can be redistributed.
