Demo software is a free trial version of a software program that can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website or a central download site. It can be a full version that expires after a certain amount of time or a full version with reduced functionality. Some companies release demo software independently of a full version to prevent hacking. Demo copies are also distributed free of charge to people in the computer industry to write reviews.
Demo software is a trial version of a software program that allows people to use it for free while deciding whether to buy it or not. Not all companies offer software demos, but those introducing new or competing software products almost always do. As a general rule, this type of software can be downloaded directly from the manufacturer’s website or via a central download site that offers a range of products for download.
Different formats can be used for the demo software. One of the most common ways is to allow customers to download a full version that will expire in a certain amount of time, such as two weeks. If the customer decides to purchase the software, he can purchase an activation code which will prevent the software from expiring. Most companies offer customers a variety of payment options, including registering for the software over the phone, on the company website, or through the demo software itself.
Trial software can also take the form of a full version with reduced functionality, which allows people to play with the software, but not use it fully. For example, a program might disallow people to save files, meaning that people can use the program to see how it feels, but they can’t save the work they produce. In other cases, demo software may have features in grayed out menus, showing customers what they could potentially do with the software if they purchase the full version. If customers decide they want software, they can purchase an unlock code from the company that will make the program fully functional.
Some companies release demo software independently of a full version, to prevent hacking. In this case, the demo is usually a smaller version of the real product, and customers who purchase the software uninstall the demo version and install the full version. For expensive software, this method is often preferred, as hackers have an interest in cracking activation codes for expensive demo software so they can avoid paying for it.
The term is also used for demonstration copies distributed free of charge to people in the computer industry. Many software companies offer evaluation copies of new releases to critics and other influential members of the industry before the product hits the market. Demo copies allow people to use the software freely, so they can write honest, thoughtful, and helpful reviews of the software that can increase consumer demand for the product.
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