What is Nagware? - Definition from Techopedia

Nagware

What Does Nagware Mean?

Nagware is a software utility that "nags" users into upgrading or buying a premium version of software by sending constant pop-up messages or notifications. Software developers use nagware as a marketing tactic to remind users to take advantage of special offers and purchase software.

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Nagware is also known an begware, annoyware, nagscreen and guiltware.

Techopedia Explains Nagware

Generally part of a freeware or software utility, nagware works according to a predefined time or event set in the software. For example, after the nagware’s trial edition date has passed, users are continuously reminded to buy or upgrade the software and/or license. The pop-up, or nagscreen, displays when the user opens the software or starts the system – or cyclically after a predefined period. To avoid nagware, a user must ultimately buy, upgrade or completely uninstall the software.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.