commercial software


commercial software

(software)(Or "commercial off-the-shelf software", COTS)Software that is produced for sale. This contrasts withfree software, which is produced for free distribution,meaning without charge and/or without restriction on furtherdistribution.

Some companies that sell software distribute some (versions)of products free of charge (but usually with restricteddistribution rights), this would probably still be calledcommercial software. Conversely, software that an individualdistributes for free, but for which he accepts donations,would still be called free software.

commercial software

Software that is designed and developed for sale to the general public. See software package.