What type of software is typically classified under a licensing agreement?

Proprietary software is typically classified under a licensing agreement because it is owned by an individual or a company that controls the use, distribution, and modification of the software. Users must purchase a license to use proprietary software, which often comes with specific terms and conditions that dictate how it can be utilized. This licensing model allows the software creator to protect their intellectual property and recoup development costs, while ensuring that users have access to support and updates as part of the agreement.

In contrast, freeware is software that is available at no cost but often has restrictions on redistribution or modification, which do not involve licensing agreements in the traditional sense. Software as a Service (SaaS) operates under a subscription model and may involve user agreements, but it is not typically classified solely as proprietary due to its online access nature and ongoing subscriptions. Open source software is released with its source code available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute freely, which fundamentally differs from the licensing agreements associated with proprietary software.