3 ms·

Browsers used to be paid software.

• hk__2 4y ago
  > Browsers used to be paid software. AFAIK the big ones have always been free, except for Netscape between 1995 and 1998.
  • laundermaf 4y ago
    IE 1.0 was included in a "Windows 95 Plus!" which was sold for $50 in 1994; However it was short-lived and it was included in later releases of Windows [1] Netscape was sold for $50 [2] Opera was sold (can't find the price) [3] [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Plus!#Microsoft_Plus!_for_Windows_95 [2]: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/netscape-navigator-2-0-hits-the-streets/ [3]: https://web.archive.org/web/20081013235150/http://my.opera.com/Rijk/blog/2006/02/15/rendering-engines-and-code-names
    • hk__2 4y ago
      Thanks. I don’t think this really changes the point that no big browser have ever been paid for except Netscape. The "paid for" period of IE is insignificant (and it was barely used at the time) and Opera never had more than 3% of market share when it was free [1], let alone when it was paid for. [1]: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/internet-browser-market-share/ https://www.visualcapitalist.com/internet-browser-market-sha...
  • folmar 4y ago
    And Opera 1995-2005 (ads alternative to money since 2000).
• hwestiii 4y ago
  Never.
  • darkwater 4y ago
    Opera was a paid software
• animitronix 4y ago
  What world are you living in?
  • laundermaf 4y ago
    Sigh. https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/netscape-cuts-prices-on-retail-products/ https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/netscape-cuts-prices...