By going directly to the vendor's own site, you get the latest version, you know it's genuine and virus-free, and you can read about known bugs and planned enhancements. Now shareware Web sites offer the same service, but in a friendler way. These sites offer free software. Some free software holds its own next to anything else in the market, and you just can't beat the price. Freeware often comes without any after-sales support.
Some freeware is for non-commercial use only.
If you're running a business, that excludes you. Check the fine print, and respect author's wishes. These issues aside, some of the best software is free - including Netscape Communicator, Eudora Light and RealAudio. The shareware sites listed above include freeware in their listings. If you're looking for a type of software product without a specific product in mind, it pays to read some reviews.