Advice Request Poll - Are software trial periods long enough?

[Ink]

How long do you prefer to evaluate new software before deciding to purchase a license, or uninstalling?

 

[Protomartyr]

The longer, the better.

 

[dinosaur07]

30 days.

 

[Dhruv2193]

30 days and minimum 14 days.

 

[roger_m]

For security software, in my experience, it is good idea to trial it for a few weeks before buying it. Some bugs may not be apparent at first. As well as that, some security software can be very light for days and then have short periods of high CPU use, slowing down your computer a lot, for no apparent reason.

For other software, if the trial version has limited features, I sometimes buy it soon after installing it.

 

[Viking]

I think 30 days is a reasonable time frame to test a AV.

 

[blackice]

I think 30 days is a reasonable time frame to test a AV.

I second this, I’ve always been able to make a decision within 30 days. I’ve either uninstalled it or purchased it in that time.

 

[mlnevese]

Yeap 30 days is enough for security software. Just use the machine as you would normally and see if it causes any trouble. Don't go throwing thousands of malwares at it...

 

[JohnR]

Voted 14 for software in general. although agree 30 if for AV

 

[oldschool]

Don't go throwing thousands of malwares at it...

Oh, you mean like Leo @ TPSC? He uses the famous approach, whether he understands the software or not.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

90 days. I believe that during that period the product will most probably get a major version update. That will allow you to see if the version updates are issue-free and smooth.

 

[stefanos]

One week is enough to understand a product that it is good or not.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

30 days should be long enough to test drive any software.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

The longer, the better.

Hahaha true .

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

For security software, in my experience, it is good idea to trial it for a few weeks before buying it. Some bugs may not be apparent at first. As well as that, some security software can be very light for days and then have short periods of high CPU use, slowing down your computer a lot, for no apparent reason.

For other software, if the trial version has limited features, I sometimes buy it soon after installing it.

Yeah I think 90 days would be sufficient for that.

Mainly to test reputation speed, stability, security capability, etc.
And reading vender fourms and security papers/ research about that product.

In order to have better understanding of what to expect from it.

 

[SerialCart]

I would go for 30 days HOWEVER!

It really depends on the type of the software. For example for a software such as photoshop I believe 14 days is more than enough to see if the software matches your needs.

Regarding Security software 30 days to unlimited ....... 30 days because in this 30 days you can see if your computer slows down and more or less you would feel if you like the UI or the features of the software. Unlimited because sometimes even in one year you might not even face with a serious thread or a bad update. So I think you really need to have a good research before this 30 days to make sure if the software that you wanna try is good enough (based on the tests and experiences of other users).

So I think 30 is a good period

 

[show-Zi]

If you're from a state where you haven't decided anything, I'd like to know if you're going to have any problems with the uninstall, so 14 days would be fine.
Just before you buy the license specifically, take full advantage of the 30-day trial.

 

[mlnevese]

If you're from a state where you haven't decided anything, I'd like to know if you're going to have any problems with the uninstall, so 14 days would be fine.
Just before you buy the license specifically, take full advantage of the 30-day trial.

Testing uninstall is important. As an example ESET prior to version 13 killed the WIFI in my notebooks after being uninstalled. Always test a program uninstall. If at all possible make sure you have a system image before installing or uninstalling any security software.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

Yeah I think 90 days would be sufficient for that.
Mainly to test reputation speed, stability, security capability, etc.
And reading vender fourms and security papers/ research about that product

Testing uninstall is important. As an example ESET prior to version 13 killed the WIFI in my notebooks after being uninstalled. Always test a program uninstall. If at all possible make sure you have a system image before installing or uninstalling any security software.

And always save a copy of the AV uninstall tool .
Just in case.

 

[nikcave]

30 days is good but I would prefer 60
one month is not always enough to see a real result, whatever the software is.