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Head-to-head · Statistical Analysis Software

gretl vs XLSTAT

  • 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
XLSTAT #19 in Statistical Analysis Software 7.6/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit XLSTAT

gretl leads on 0 checks, XLSTAT on 0, and 5 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 planboth
  • Free trialonly XLSTAT

gretl scores higher on our rubric for statistical analysis software: 7.8 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #17 and #19.

On deployment, XLSTAT gives you Both where gretl offers Desktop.

gretl is the better fit for free econometrics and time-series work. XLSTAT is the better fit for excel-based broad statistical analysis.

  • gretl fits best

    Free econometrics and time-series work

  • XLSTAT fits best

    Excel-based broad statistical analysis

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Side by side

Feature gretl 7.8/10 Visit ↗ XLSTAT 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.8 7.6
Ranking #17 in Statistical Analysis Software #19 in Statistical Analysis Software
Best for Free econometrics and time-series work Excel-based broad statistical analysis
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Cloud
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, iOS
Support Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features gretl 4/4 · XLSTAT 4/4
Statistical tests ✓ ✓
Regression models ✓ ✓
Scripting support ✓ ✓
Bayesian analysis ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Desktop Both
Data import formats XML, CSV, Excel, Gnumeric, OpenDocument, Stata, SPSS, EViews, JMulTi, RATS 4 and PC-Give CSV, TXT, and other files
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
  • Broad coverage from hypothesis tests to machine learning and Bayesian analysis
  • Integrates with Excel, R, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Offers free access plus desktop and cloud deployment options
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
  • XLSTAT-Cloud provides a smaller feature set than the desktop product
  • Advanced capabilities are divided across multiple paid plans
  • Support channels are limited to documentation
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 →

XLSTAT is a statistical analysis add-in for Microsoft Excel, designed for researchers, analysts, educators, consultants, and businesses. Its scope covers data preparation, visualization, hypothesis testing, regression, ANOVA, multivariate…

Read the review →
  1. gretlStatistical Analysis Software 7.8Free plan
  2. XLSTATStatistical Analysis Software 7.6Free plan · 14-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

  • XLSTAT — where it wins

    • Broad coverage from hypothesis tests to machine learning and Bayesian analysis
    • Integrates with Excel, R, Word, and PowerPoint
    • Offers free access plus desktop and cloud deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • XLSTAT-Cloud provides a smaller feature set than the desktop product
    • Advanced capabilities are divided across multiple paid plans
    • Support channels are limited to documentation
  • gretl7.8/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit gretlFull verdict →
  • XLSTAT7.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A broad Excel-based statistics suite with free access, paid tiers, R integration, and AI assistance.

    Visit XLSTATFull verdict →

All statistical analysis software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update