How do people make money off of freeware?

This topic is locked from further discussion.

Avatar image for obamanation1
obamanation1

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#1 obamanation1
Member since 2010 • 25 Posts

stuff like free spybot and free antivirus programs, what is the point of people making these programs for free?

Avatar image for Serraph105
Serraph105

36092

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#2 Serraph105
Member since 2007 • 36092 Posts

they get popular and people pay you to advertise on your site.

Avatar image for Engrish_Major
Engrish_Major

17373

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#3 Engrish_Major
Member since 2007 • 17373 Posts
Advertising on the website and in the program itself.
Avatar image for Atmanix
Atmanix

6927

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#4 Atmanix
Member since 2009 • 6927 Posts

they get popular and people pay you to advertise on your site.

Serraph105

This along with donations.

Avatar image for Serraph105
Serraph105

36092

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#5 Serraph105
Member since 2007 • 36092 Posts

[QUOTE="Serraph105"]

they get popular and people pay you to advertise on your site.

Atmanix

This along with donations.

true but if everyone was like me they would never get donations. love freeware, but you won't see me donating as that would defeat the purpose. Speaking of freeware check out granola http://download.cnet.com/Granola/3000-2094_4-75182521.html
Avatar image for XilePrincess
XilePrincess

13130

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#7 XilePrincess
Member since 2008 • 13130 Posts
as everyone else has said, ads. You'd be amazed how much money people make off just ads.
Avatar image for Atmanix
Atmanix

6927

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#8 Atmanix
Member since 2009 • 6927 Posts

[QUOTE="Atmanix"]

[QUOTE="Serraph105"]

they get popular and people pay you to advertise on your site.

Serraph105

This along with donations.

true but if everyone was like me they would never get donations. love freeware, but you won't see me donating as that would defeat the purpose. Speaking of freeware check out granola http://download.cnet.com/Granola/3000-2094_4-75182521.html

Small donations add up quickly. If I really enjoy a piece of software or website I'll donate a few dollars. The one site I go makes roughly $500 in donations a month according to them.

Avatar image for Engrish_Major
Engrish_Major

17373

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#9 Engrish_Major
Member since 2007 • 17373 Posts
true but if everyone was like me they would never get donations. love freeware, but you won't see me donating as that would defeat the purpose. Speaking of freeware check out granola http://download.cnet.com/Granola/3000-2094_4-75182521.htmlSerraph105
I felt bad after years of using both Spybot and Textpad, so I donated to both of them. $40 each if I remember correctly.
Avatar image for Atmanix
Atmanix

6927

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#10 Atmanix
Member since 2009 • 6927 Posts

[QUOTE="Serraph105"]true but if everyone was like me they would never get donations. love freeware, but you won't see me donating as that would defeat the purpose. Speaking of freeware check out granola http://download.cnet.com/Granola/3000-2094_4-75182521.htmlEngrish_Major
I felt bad after years of using both Spybot and Textpad, so I donated to both of them. $40 each if I remember correctly.

I've also donated to Textpad. I love that program.

Avatar image for Serraph105
Serraph105

36092

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#11 Serraph105
Member since 2007 • 36092 Posts

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="Serraph105"]true but if everyone was like me they would never get donations. love freeware, but you won't see me donating as that would defeat the purpose. Speaking of freeware check out granola http://download.cnet.com/Granola/3000-2094_4-75182521.htmlAtmanix

I felt bad after years of using both Spybot and Textpad, so I donated to both of them. $40 each if I remember correctly.

I've also donated to Textpad. I love that program.

I've actually not heard of textpad.
Avatar image for Engrish_Major
Engrish_Major

17373

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#12 Engrish_Major
Member since 2007 • 17373 Posts
I've actually not heard of textpad. Serraph105
It's great. It's got Macros (for automated tasks), Block Select mode, contextual highlighting (if you're using a programming language or HTML). You can call external apps from it, like compilers or web browsers. It's easily my go-to text editor.