If you’ve already heard about free software, then you’ll likely be interested in learning what proprietary software is. It plays a central role in computer systems. As the name implies, it refers to a type of software owned by an individual or company. To use it, users need to acquire a license, which may include different restrictions. There are several reasons to prefer proprietary software. It’s usually associated with paid programs, though that’s not always the case.
What is proprietary software?
Proprietary software is a type of software owned by an individual or company. It originally came linked to hardware, since in the early days of computing, software wasn’t seen as a separate product from the equipment. What does this mean? That companies like Microsoft or Apple developed programs for their own machines.
For example, Microsoft developed the Windows operating system, while Apple created macOS for its Macintosh computers. However, as the use of personal computers became more widespread, software evolved into its own industry with applications for every type of hardware.
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Still, the same business model remained: restricted-access software, requiring users to acquire licenses in order to use it.
To better understand what proprietary software is, let’s look at some examples you’re probably familiar with:
Microsoft Windows. One of the most widely used operating systems, with a wide range of products adapted to different user needs—for example, home computing or professional and business environments.
Adobe Photoshop. One of the most used proprietary software for graphic design and image editing, reaching industries like photography and digital art.
AutoCAD. The leading software for computer-aided design. It’s used in architecture, engineering, and 3D modeling.
Oracle Database. Used by companies managing large databases, it’s a complete, powerful, and secure management system.
Source Code: Key to Proprietary Software
The source code is the software’s key, the brain, so to speak, of a program. It’s the set of instructions written by a programmer that determines how the software behaves. This code is readable by humans, unlike machine code, which is the language computers understand.
The availability of source code is what defines proprietary software:
- It is restricted. Only developers authorized by the company can access and modify the code.
- It is controlled by the owner. The developing company is the only one that can update and improve proprietary software.
- Usage license. Users can use the software but cannot view or modify the source code.
Free and Paid Proprietary Software
When we think of proprietary software, license payment is the first thing that comes to mind. However, that’s not always the case. In fact, there’s proprietary software that can be used for free and others with some limitations. Let’s see:
- Freeware. This is proprietary software that’s free to use. For example, Adobe Acrobat Reader, used to view and comment on PDF documents.
- Trialware or shareware. A type of software you can use for free during a trial period. Once expired, a license must be acquired to continue using it.
- Freemium. Offers a basic free version. To access full or advanced features, you must purchase a license.
- Perpetual license. Allows the license to be purchased once and used indefinitely.
- Subscription. Proprietary software can be used by paying a recurring fee. This may include updates, new features, and technical support.
- Concurrent. A proprietary software license that allows multiple users to access the program at the same time.
- Site and network license. The software can be installed on unlimited machines at a specific location. A variant is the network license, which allows it to be installed on different machines connected to a specific network.
What About Free Software?
As mentioned earlier, with the rise of personal computers, software became a separate industry from hardware manufacturers. For several decades, proprietary software was the only model available, even as many companies invested heavily in research and development to create new software.
However, in the final decades of the 20th century, a new kind of software emerged: free software. It arose as a response to the limitations and restrictions imposed by proprietary software, driven by a movement advocating for freedom, collaboration, and transparency in the computing world.
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One of the main promoters of free software was Richard Stallman, who in 1983 launched the GNU project aiming to create a completely free operating system. By definition, and in contrast to proprietary software, free software allows users to run, copy, distribute, modify, and improve the software created under this model.
Were we talking about source code? Precisely—in free software, the public has access to the source code, customizing or adapting it to their needs or making innovations that enhance it.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Proprietary Software
Advantages
There are several reasons to prefer proprietary software. For example:
- It allows the user to access all features of a program and use it without limitations.
- Acquiring the license comes with technical support and constant updates.
- It is intuitive and ready to use.
- It is usually more secure than free software, as the owner keeps control over the source code and offers high security standards.
- It’s designed to integrate with other products, helping create a complete ecosystem for the user.
- Paying for the license includes access to all related documentation, such as user manuals, tutorials, and knowledge bases.
Also read: What is Freeware? Types and features
Disadvantages of Proprietary Software
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages. These include:
- License cost. Acquiring the product or using it via subscription can be quite expensive, especially for business solutions.
- Users depend on the provider for updates and technical support.
- The owner may impose restrictions on the number of users who can download the license or the number of machines where the software can be installed.
- Subscription or license models can be misleading. For example, a company might allow limited access to proprietary software during a trial period, but then charge automatically when it ends, surprising the user.
- Proprietary software can be abandoned by its creator, no longer offering maintenance or support. Even though the user can still access the software, updates and support are no longer available, despite having paid for those services.
In summary, when choosing between proprietary and other types of software, the best approach is to carefully analyze needs and expectations. In some cases, open-source or free software may be more suitable.
What matters most is choosing software from a trusted brand and avoiding downloads from unreliable sites, as they may be malicious or infected.
That’s all for now about “Learn All About Proprietary Software”. We hope it was useful. Remember, at Recursos TICs you’ll find resources and tools for your computer science classes. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or suggestions. Also follow us on social media to stay updated with our news.
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