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if there are freeware alternatives available or every proprietary software out there then why do they cost so much
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Companies do take advantage of familiarity. Ask a home user, used to photoshop, to try out GIMP, and he will immediately say no. The same goes for trying out linux. The reason being, on their first experience with computers, home users are taught this -
1. To start the computer, press the on switch, wait for the windows logo to dissapear.
2. To use the internet, click the blue 'e'.
3. To edit images, go to Start > Photoshop > Whatever, and use the drawing tools like this.
How many people learnt using computers by experimenting around, seeing pressing what button does what?
If an average user was put in a linux system, with (say) the fluxbox GUI. The first thing he would say, would be "where is the start menu?".
On the contrary, an absolute first time computer user would be just as comfortable in a unix shell as in windows.
This is what has hurt linux, and other free software the maximum. Companies do make sure that users of their software get used to it very quickly, and are unable to adjust to other software.