Trial Software

What is Trialware?

Trialware is the term used when software is offered for a trial period. It is any software that is time-limited or feature-limited and that allows users to try out the software before they buy it.

What's the difference between "shareware" and "trialware"?

Shareware is an old and now obsolete term. It refers to software that was obtained and then shared freely with others. Referring to “sharing” might give people the impression that it is OK to purchase software and then share the registered copy with others. This is not, and another reason why the term is not used anymore. Trialware, on the other hand, means exactly what it is - trial software.

"It's like taking a car for a test drive...

All software developers need to provide for the ability to have trial software This has become a very popular form of gaining presence in the marketplace. Nearly all download sites allow a free demo of the software – as do many of the major software programmes. This is a great way for the potential customer to try out the programme and see if it’s right for their particular needs.

...but does the dealer let you try out all the features?"

The problem with most demos is that they are not the real thing – you only get to try out some of the more basic features, as the full specifications are with-held from you until you pay up or register. This is supposed to make you think that you really want the software and the manufacturer is just tempting you to buy the product by withholding some of he features – but this isn’t true! Would a car dealer ask you not to try all 4 of the electric windows, but only the front 2 for instance? Or tell you not to open the trunk? In the software world, it is because the manufacturers are afraid to give out a FULL version of their software for fear of having it cracked and then losing the sale. So they only offer a “lite” version as a demo, preferring to withhold the FULL version until after they have received payment.

At present some companies decide to use wrappers to protect their software for demos and trial purposes, but you must watch out for these as they can be easily “unwrapped” and the software then used. The customer will tell the software developer that they have removed the software as they didn’t want it. The developer can not tell if he has or not and has no idea that the customer is still using their software. 

Protect Once and then Forget

However, with the new patent pending software available it is now finally safe to allow FULL versions of demos. This offers great benefits to both the customers and the software developers. The software developers are finally able to safely show their complete product and the potential customer is able to try out all the features and see if it meets all their requirements.

PRO-Tector™ technology now enables software publishers to price, package and protect their software in a variety of flexible ways. It also allows publishers can electronically generate, track and enforce their software licenses and protect against unauthorized use by implementing a range of product activation or copy protection options.

Easily create evaluation, lite, standard and premium products

By using PRO-Tector™ licensing to turn software features on and off, publishers can easily create evaluation, lite, standard and premium product versions from a single binary file. Publishers can also use PRO-Tector™ licensing to sell software in virtually any way that their customers want to buy it. This flexibility enables them to use subscription/leasing and usage-based models to offer software as a service.

At the end of the trial period.

Finally – they can even get a “proof of removal” if the customer decides not to purchase the product at the end of the trial period. This further adds to the peace of mind of the developer who will know that his software has been removed from the customers PC and that it has not been copied (even protects against Norton’s Ghost).