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

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