Crippleware

Crippleware is a controversial form of shareware.

Characteristics

Distributed as freeware, crippleware programs are free (as free beer) versions of shareware programs, lacking the most advanced or the crucial features of the original program.

Intention

Crippleware versions are being built in order to increase popularity of the program without giving away the whole thing for free.

Discussion

• The authors of C. argue that regular shareware versions are often cracked, so that the author is not paid for his work
• The users argue that they cannot test the program under real life conditions and therefore do not know whether to buy it

Nagware may be a less obstructive ways to distribute shareware while still having a negative enforcement for registration.

See also: careware, guiltware, postcardware, payware, freeware, donateware