Freeware is copyrighted computer software which is made available for use free of charge, for an unlimited time, as opposed to shareware where the user is required to pay after some trial period.

Freeware contrasts with free software, because of the different meanings of the word "free". Freeware is described as gratis, as in "free beer", and refers to zero price, versus free software, described as "libre", as in "free speech", which refers to the license freedom. However, many programs are both freeware and free software since they can be downloaded for zero price, provide the source code and are distributed with free software permissions.

There are many variations on the freeware model. Freeware is an umbrella term which includes Loss leaders (in the form of crippleware,) adware, or donationware.