Solved How do they make money?

Tasmania Green · Apr 26, 2026

I’m just curious how the companies who make free backup software make their money? I’ve heard it said that when something is free you’re the product. Hasleo has excellent reviews. But it takes money to run the servers, buy new equipment, etc. Just curious.

A Guy · Apr 26, 2026

Some use their free tools to attract users to paid versions which do not have the same limitations. Also, some free tools collect and sell anonymous user behavioral data to researchers or advertisers. Some freeware may include third-party browser toolbars or applications in their installers. They may also display ads within the interface or during the installation process

A Guy

Edwin · Apr 26, 2026

Takes money to make money! Kind of the same way they give away a free Hotdog and a Coke at the Flea Market, in the hopes that you'll buy something.

Kees · Apr 26, 2026

Edwin said:
Kind of the same way they give away a free Hotdog and a Coke at the Flea Market

I don't like Hotdogs and Coke is not of my taste as well.
Conclusion: I have nothing to search on a Flea Market.

Ghot · Apr 26, 2026

Tasmania Green said:
how the companies who make free backup software make their money?

Well, they're big rock singers
They've got golden fingers
And they're loved every where they go.
They sing about beauty, and they sing about truth
For ten-thousand dollars a show

They take all kinds of pills
To give them all kinds of thrills
But the thrill they've never known
Is the thrill it'll get ya, when you get your picture
On the cover of the Rolling Stone.

altae · Apr 26, 2026

If you are talking about Hasleo in particluar they sell paid versions of their backup software. They offer the free version as an entry point for users and hope that people like the software and want to use the advanced features only the paid versions offer. And of course Hasleo could also collect and sell data about users of their free backup software.

garioch7 · Apr 26, 2026

@altae ,

altae said:
And of course Hasleo could also collect and sell data about users of their free backup software.

Can you offer any proof of that suggestion?

I am a Hasleo Forum Moderator. I also happen to be using their paid Hasleo Backup Suite Pro (HBSP) version, but I have never seen any credible reports of Hasleo selling user data.

@Froggie, a well-recognized imaging specialist, has been using HBS for a lot longer than me, way longer! From what I have read that he has posted here, in the Hasleo Forums, Wilders, etc., I have seen him repeatedly contest such specious allegations.

Personally, I find it quite annoying and disappointing to read such things. The fact that Hasleo is a Chinese company seems to induce some people to incorrectly conclude that their products, solely because Hasleo is a Chinese company, are dangerous! That is totally unwarranted, and unfair.

I ask you again: can you provide any credible evidence to support your suggestion?

If not, then may I politely request you remove that sentence from your post to be fair to Hasleo ... ?

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

HeavyHemi · Apr 26, 2026

garioch7 said:
@altae ,

Can you offer any proof of that suggestion?

I am a Hasleo Forum Moderator. I also happen to be using their paid Hasleo Backup Suite Pro (HBSP) version, but I have never seen any credible reports of Hasleo selling user data.

@Froggie, a well-recognized imaging specialist, has been using HBS for a lot longer than me, way longer! From what I have read that he has posted here, in the Hasleo Forums, Wilders, etc., I have seen him repeatedly contest such specious allegations.

Personally, I find it quite annoying and disappointing to read such things. The fact that Hasleo is a Chinese company seems to induce some people to incorrectly conclude that their products, solely because Hasleo is a Chinese company, are dangerous! That is totally unwarranted, and unfair.

I ask you again: can you provide any credible evidence to support your suggestion?

If not, then may I politely request you remove that sentence from your post to be fair to Hasleo ... ?

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

He didn't say they did, he said they 'could' which is entirely accurate. You'd think a forum moderator would be a bit more careful in their allegations which was totally unwarranted, and unfair.

altae · Apr 26, 2026

@garioch7

I didn't say they are selling userdata, I said they could do that which is a possibility not a fact. And it has nothing to do with the fact that Hasleo is a Chinese company. The question how the developer of free software pays for his/ her expenses can or should be asked with any piece of free software no matter in which country it's developer is based. Yes there are developers of free (and often open source) software who provide their programs as an act of benevolence. But even those often ask for donations to fund their expenses. And since a company like Hasloe usually operates for profit the question how they make money with free software is in my opinion totally legit. What's more companies selling userdata to make money isn't totally unheard of. In fact it happens time and time again, so called trustworthy companies from all over the world have done it.

garioch7 · Apr 26, 2026

@altae ,

Why even suggest that they "could"? As you state, every company, everywhere, could do that; and some do.

Do you have similar comments to make about every other company that offers a free, limited version, to allow users to test out their software in the hopes that those users of their free product might purchase a paid version with more capabilities?

Macrium offered a free version for many, many years until the launch of the subscription-based only Macrium Reflect X newest version in February 2025. By your definition, Macrium (Paramount Software) "could" have sold user data. Have you ever suggested that in relation to Macrium Free?

On that note, I will take my leave of this conversation. My only point was that you specifically mentioned Hasleo. I took offence. Unless you have credible evidence, there is no reason to bring that up at all, IMHO. Apparently you DON'T have a shred of credible evidence.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

OldMainframeGuy · Apr 26, 2026

Tasmania Green said:
I’m just curious how the companies who make free backup software make their money? I’ve heard it said that when something is free you’re the product. Hasleo has excellent reviews. But it takes money to run the servers, buy new equipment, etc. Just curious.

I used to run the free version of Macrium Reflect and I liked it so much I bought the commercial version because I felt they deserved the business by having a free product with so many features. I can only surmise that many people just opted to run the free version.

altae · Apr 26, 2026

garioch7 said:
Do you have similar comments to make about every other company that offers a free, limited version, to allow users to test out their software in the hopes that those users of their free product might purchase a paid version with more capabilities?

Yes, whenever something is offered for free and especially if the free software comes from a company that operates for profit there is a real possibility they monetize their product by alternative means (e.g. by selling userdata).

garioch7 said:
On that note, I will take my leave of this conversation. My only point was that you specifically mentioned Hasleo. I took offence. Unless you have credible evidence, there is no reason to bring that up at all, IMHO. Apparently you DON'T have a shred of credible evidence.

I don't need evidence to mention a mere possibility. Again I did not claim that Hasleo actually sells userdata.

altae · Apr 26, 2026

By the way I have absolutely nothing against Hasleo. In fact I'm currently contemplating whether I should replace the aging Macrium Reflect 8 with Hasleo Backup. The reason for this is the fact that Macrium stopped offering perpetual licenses and only sell Macrium X as a subscription. I really despise software subscriptions.

Bree · Apr 26, 2026

garioch7 said:
Macrium offered a free version for many, many years until the launch of the subscription-based only Macrium Reflect X newest version in February 2025.

Actually Macrium retired Reflect Free at v8.0 after Reflect Home v8.1 was released in 2023, and removed all links to Reflect Free from their website. It was with v8.1 that the subscription model was introduced (a perpetual licence was still available, but it was well hidden and had to be searched for).

The launch of Reflect X in 2025 marked the end of perpetual licenses. Reflect Free ended well before that, it got it's last update on 1st December 2023 and reached end of support on 1st January 2024.

Bree · Apr 26, 2026

OldMainframeGuy said:
I used to run the free version of Macrium Reflect and I liked it so much I bought the commercial version because I felt they deserved the business by having a free product with so many features. I can only surmise that many people just opted to run the free version.

So did I, back when it was Reflect v7. I went on to buy an upgrade for my v7 4-pack to v8 licences.

I think Reflect Free was just a bit too good, with a few less features it may have survived to this day.

Tasmania Green · Apr 26, 2026

I only asked the quest if “how do they make their money” because we live in a world where Google and Meta do sell customer data. That being said, I’ve bought the home package of Hasleo’s software because. Like I said, Hasleo has excellent reviews. I have no problem paying for software when it’s of good quality.

echo2446 · Apr 26, 2026

There’s nothing stopping companies from selling PAID users’ data either — take Avast (in the past) as an example.

So in a sense, MANY products on your computer could potentially share or sell some kinds of user data. Privacy laws, contract law, and false‑advertising rules can deter or restrict that behavior, but some consumer agreements allow broad data uses and can be amended by companies (subject to notice requirements and legal limits in many jurisdictions).

TraderGary · Apr 26, 2026

echo2446 said:
There’s nothing stopping companies from selling PAID users’ data either — take Avast (in the past) as an example.

So in a sense, MANY products on your computer could potentially share or sell some kinds of user data. Privacy laws, contract law, and false‑advertising rules can deter or restrict that behavior, but some consumer agreements allow broad data uses and can be amended by companies (subject to notice requirements and legal limits in many jurisdictions).

At least Microsoft tells you, right up front, that unless you opt out, that's exactly what they're going to do!

Tasmania Green · Apr 26, 2026

TraderGary said:
At least Microsoft tells you, right up front, that unless you opt out, that's exactly what they're going to do!

Very true. And other companies, although not all.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 27, 2026

Any company "could" sell your personal data, I don't think it's necessary to state obvious facts.

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