MAXQDA vs Dedoose

MAXQDA9.3Visit Dedoose8.7Visit

Higher score MAXQDA #1 in Qualitative Data Analysis Software 9.3/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit MAXQDA

vs

Dedoose #4 in Qualitative Data Analysis Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Dedoose

• MAXQDA fits best

  Researchers needing broad mixed-methods analysis

• Dedoose fits best

  Mixed-methods teams needing collaboration and security

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Side by side

Feature	MAXQDA 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Dedoose 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.7
Ranking	#1 in Qualitative Data Analysis Software	#4 in Qualitative Data Analysis Software
Best for	Researchers needing broad mixed-methods analysis	Mixed-methods teams needing collaboration and security
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$12.95/mo
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	14 days	30 days
Free trial length	14 days	30 days · no card needed
Deployment	Desktop, Self-hosted	Cloud, Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Phone, Email, Tickets, Docs, Live chat · 24/7	Email, Tickets, Docs
Compliance	GDPR	SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MAXQDA 0/5 · Dedoose 0/5
Coding tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Audio/video analysis	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Team collaboration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mixed-methods analysis	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Transcription included	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Analyzes text, PDFs, surveys, audio and video Combines coding with quantitative text and statistical analysis Includes AI document chat, coding and transcription features	Analyzes documents, surveys, audio, video, images, and PDFs Real-time collaboration with role-based project permissions Encryption plus SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA coverage
Cons	Desktop software for Windows and macOS, not a web-based workspace Its broad toolset may be more than focused qualitative projects need Paid product with a 14-day free trial rather than a free plan	No free plan; access starts with a paid active-month subscription Integration support centers on single sign-on Auto-Code Wizard focuses on keyword- or phrase-based excerpt coding
Our verdict	MAXQDA is desktop software for researchers who need to analyze qualitative and mixed-methods material across text, PDF, survey, audio and video sources. It is used by researchers, universities, research institutions and corporations, and… Read the review →	Dedoose is a cloud-based research and evaluation application for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods work. It is aimed at academic, market and UX, health, education, government, policy, and social science researchers. Teams can… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• MAXQDA — where it wins

  • Analyzes text, PDFs, surveys, audio and video
  • Combines coding with quantitative text and statistical analysis
  • Includes AI document chat, coding and transcription features

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop software for Windows and macOS, not a web-based workspace
  • Its broad toolset may be more than focused qualitative projects need
  • Paid product with a 14-day free trial rather than a free plan

• Dedoose — where it wins

  • Analyzes documents, surveys, audio, video, images, and PDFs
  • Real-time collaboration with role-based project permissions
  • Encryption plus SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA coverage

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; access starts with a paid active-month subscription
  • Integration support centers on single sign-on
  • Auto-Code Wizard focuses on keyword- or phrase-based excerpt coding

• MAXQDA9.3/10 · 14-day trial

  A desktop research suite combining qualitative coding, text analysis and statistical tools.

  Visit MAXQDAFull verdict →
• Dedoose8.7/10 · 30-day trial

  Mixed-methods analysis with collaboration, multimedia support, and security controls.

  Visit DedooseFull verdict →