RAR is a well-established proprietary archive file format that was introduced in 1993. Since its inception, it has become a popular choice for data compression, error recovery, and file spanning.
The graphical user interface (GUI) frontend for this file archiver utility on Windows is called WinRAR, which remains widely used for creating and viewing archives in the RAR or ZIP file formats, as well as unpacking a wide range of other archive file formats.
One interesting aspect of WinRAR is that it is distributed as a trialware (try before you buy) software, offering users a free trial period of 40 days.
However, as most of you know, you can continue using the software for free even after the trial period ends. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this phenomenon.
The Origins of WinRAR and RAR Format
The RAR (Roshal Archive) file format was introduced in 1993 by Russian software engineer Eugene Roshal. It supports data compression, error recovery, and file spanning to create compressed archive files that are smaller and more robust than traditional zip files.
Two years later, the WinRAR archiving utility for Windows was released to create, view, extract, and test archives in the RAR or ZIP file formats.
WinRAR quickly became one of the most popular compression tools for Windows thanks to its strong compression capabilities and support for repairing corrupt archives. RAR archives use solid compression, which compresses entire files into a solid stream of compressed data, unlike zip, which compresses each file individually.
WinRAR’s Unorthodox “Try Before You Buy” Model
WinRAR follows the try-before-you-buy model (trialware), offering users a 40-day trial period to test out its file archiving capabilities. Typically, with such trials, you’d expect the software to become unusable or have core functionality disabled once that initial window expires if you don’t purchase a license.
But WinRAR bucks that trend in a brilliantly unconventional way.
Even if you’ve blown past that 40-day trial period years ago without paying a dime, you can still use WinRAR with all the same features and compression tools available as the day you installed it.
There’s no crippled functionality or imminent expiration; WinRAR simply keeps on running indefinitely, license or not.
The one consistent reminder that you’re using WinRAR past the trial is the program’s hallmark nag screen. Every time you launch WinRAR or create a new archive, you’ll see a popup message stating “WinRAR is not free software” and that you should buy a license or uninstall after 40 days.
The Strategy Behind Allowing Extended Free Use
In a 2013 interview, WinRAR CEO Burak Kamboi explained the reasoning behind this unorthodox approach:
“The problem does not hurt us as much as it may hurt others, since we already have a very liberal way of allowing users to continue using our software after the trial period is over. Many users actually believe our software is freeware, and why would you bother using a pirated and potentially harmful version if the original can be used instead?”
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By permitting unlicensed use with just a nag screen instead of disabling functionality, WinRAR accomplishes a few key things:
- It curbs piracy by making the official version readily available to use perpetually.
- It proliferates WinRAR’s software globally as one of the most widely-used archiving programs for Windows.
- The constant exposure keeps download numbers high and encourages some users to eventually purchase out of guilt, convenience, or a desire for full functionality.
WinRAR is betting that the value of having its brand permanently cemented in the Windows world outweighs potential lost revenue from freeloaders.
How Does WinRAR Make Money?
WinRAR is well aware that over 90% of its users are home consumers, enjoying the software for free beyond the trial period. And the company is willing to indulge in this behavior because extracting revenue from individual customers is extremely difficult and low-yield.
Instead, WinRAR’s main revenue stream comes from enterprise companies and large corporations around the world. These business customers rely on the copyrighted WinRAR software to compress and share critical data, contracts, orders, and other million-dollar assets with partners.
For them, the risk of the “trial has ended” nag popping up during a high-stakes meeting or presentation is unacceptable. No reputable company wants to be seen using unlicensed software when dealing with intellectual property worth millions.
Not purchasing a $29.99 WinRAR license undermines their credibility and integrity. Additionally, corporations have to stay compliant with licensing terms to avoid potential litigation over extended use of unauthorized software – that persistent trial reminder can be used as proof.
Regular users also help in small but important ways by keeping the software in use, keeping download counters high, leaving ratings and reviews, and keeping the name out there and recognized.
It’s also worth noting that WinRAR has an Android app. It is free, but it can’t accumulate revenue through ads. And in case you’re wondering, no, that version actually doesn’t have the little nag message.
A Mutually Beneficial Arrangement
WinRAR’s approach essentially makes it “nagware” – software with persistent reminders to purchase a license. But it’s a fairly benign example since the developers allow perpetual functionality instead of abruptly cutting off access after the trial expires, like most nagware.
Whether you see it as clever marketing or merely annoying, WinRAR’s free-to-nag business model has proven sustainable for decades. Home users get a capable archiving tool with no hard expiration, and WinRAR gets worldwide adoption with businesses carrying the monetary load via licensing.
An interesting case study in leveraging “freemium” software distribution, WinRAR seems to have struck a balance that works for both individual and enterprise users. The annoying nag prompt is a small price to pay for accessing a robust compression utility permanently without purchasing a license.
While free open source options like 7-Zip are available, WinRAR’s approach of making the official version so easy to use indefinitely has allowed it to remain one of the most ubiquitous archiving tools on Windows PCs globally.
A fitting legacy for a simple .rar file archiver created by the Roshal brothers back in 1993.
