Demoware is a term of distinction used to differentiate between types of shareware software. Other types of shareware include nagware, crippleware, freeware, adware, and even spyware.

Demoware is commercial software released by way of a free download in a version which is limited in one (or more) of the following ways:

• Remains functional for a set number of days from installation.
• May only be launched a set number of times.
• Is limited to a set number of "days of use".
• Program execution terminates after a set time period (typically between 5 and 60 minutes).

In addition, the software hides code somewhere on the computer system (in Microsoft Windows, somewhere in the registry) that prevents removal and re-installation of the demo in an attempt to reset the trial period. Once the trial period is complete, the user must either uninstall the software or purchase a registration code.