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Head-to-head · Statistical Analysis Software

gretl vs NCSS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score gretl #17 in Statistical Analysis Software 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit gretl
NCSS #22 in Statistical Analysis Software 7.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit NCSS

gretl leads on 1 check, NCSS on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoregretl · 7.8/10
  • Free planonly gretl
  • Free trialonly NCSS
  • Most featuresgretl · 4 of 4

gretl scores higher on our rubric for statistical analysis software: 7.8 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #17 and #22.

gretl offers free plan; NCSS doesn't.

gretl is the better fit for free econometrics and time-series work. NCSS is the better fit for broad Windows-based statistical procedures.

  • gretl fits best

    Free econometrics and time-series work

  • NCSS fits best

    Broad Windows-based statistical procedures

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Side by side

Feature gretl 7.8/10 Visit ↗ NCSS 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.8 7.3
Ranking #17 in Statistical Analysis Software #22 in Statistical Analysis Software
Best for Free econometrics and time-series work Broad Windows-based statistical procedures
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan $349/user/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features gretl 4/4 · NCSS 3/4
Statistical tests ✓ ✓
Regression models ✓ ✓
Scripting support ✓ ✓
Bayesian analysis ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Data import formats XML, CSV, Excel, Gnumeric, OpenDocument, Stata, SPSS, EViews, JMulTi, RATS 4 and PC-Give NCSS, Access, dBase, Epi Info, Excel, Gauss, JMP, Matlab, Minitab, R, SAS, S-PLUS, SPSS, Stata, Statistica, Systat, TXT, CSV
Our review
Pros
  • Covers ARIMA, GARCH, VAR, VECM, panel, and limited-dependent models
  • Supports hansl scripting with matrix operations for reproducible analysis
  • Exchanges data with R, Python, Julia, Octave, Ox, and Stata
  • Hundreds of statistical tests, graphics tools, and regression procedures
  • Imports files from Excel, R, SAS, SPSS, Stata, and other systems
  • Macro scripting, documentation, and output comparison support repeatable analysis
Cons
  • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-based statistical workflows
  • Bayesian estimation is provided through the BayTool function package
  • Its broad econometric scope may be more than basic spreadsheet analysis needs
  • Windows-only; Mac use requires a Windows emulator
  • Subscription pricing starts at $349 per user per year
  • Major upgrades are not included with the non-expiring license
Our verdict

gretl is a free, open-source desktop package for econometric and statistical analysis on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It combines a graphical interface with the hansl scripting language, making it suited to students, researchers, and…

Read the review →

NCSS is desktop statistical analysis and graphics software for researchers, consultants, professionals, engineers, scientists, academics, and business users. Its scope covers hypothesis testing, regression, survival analysis, data…

Read the review →
  1. gretlStatistical Analysis Software 7.8Free plan
  2. NCSSStatistical Analysis Software 7.330-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • gretl — where it wins

    • Covers ARIMA, GARCH, VAR, VECM, panel, and limited-dependent models
    • Supports hansl scripting with matrix operations for reproducible analysis
    • Exchanges data with R, Python, Julia, Octave, Ox, and Stata

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-based statistical workflows
    • Bayesian estimation is provided through the BayTool function package
    • Its broad econometric scope may be more than basic spreadsheet analysis needs

  • NCSS — where it wins

    • Hundreds of statistical tests, graphics tools, and regression procedures
    • Imports files from Excel, R, SAS, SPSS, Stata, and other systems
    • Macro scripting, documentation, and output comparison support repeatable analysis

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only; Mac use requires a Windows emulator
    • Subscription pricing starts at $349 per user per year
    • Major upgrades are not included with the non-expiring license
  • gretl7.8/10 · Free plan

    A capable free desktop package for econometrics, time-series, panel, and reproducible scripting work.

    Visit gretlFull verdict →
  • NCSS7.3/10 · 30-day trial

    A broad Windows statistics package with extensive procedures, scripting, and data imports.

    Visit NCSSFull verdict →

All statistical analysis software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update