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Head-to-head · Data Preparation Software

SAS Data Preparation vs OpenRefine

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score SAS Data Preparation #6 in Data Preparation Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit SAS
OpenRefine #7 in Data Preparation Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit OpenRefine

SAS Data Preparation leads on 0 checks, OpenRefine on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSAS Data Preparation · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly OpenRefine
  • Free trialonly SAS Data Preparation
  • Most featuresSAS Data Preparation · 3 of 3

SAS Data Preparation scores higher on our rubric for data preparation software: 8.7 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

OpenRefine offers free plan; SAS Data Preparation doesn't. On deployment, SAS Data Preparation gives you Hybrid where OpenRefine offers Desktop.

SAS Data Preparation is the better fit for governed enterprise data preparation. OpenRefine is the better fit for free open-source data cleanup.

  • SAS Data Preparation fits best

    Governed enterprise data preparation

  • OpenRefine fits best

    Free open-source data cleanup

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature SAS Data Preparation 8.7/10 Visit ↗ OpenRefine 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.2
Ranking #6 in Data Preparation Software #7 in Data Preparation Software
Best for Governed enterprise data preparation Free open-source data cleanup
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Web Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Phone, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 11 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features SAS Data Preparation 3/3 · OpenRefine 1/3
Data profiling ✓ ✓
Visual workflows ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Scheduled runs ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Hybrid Desktop
Source connectors Not checked yet Not checked yet
Row limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Profiles, blends, cleanses and transforms data visually
  • Supports lineage, governance and scheduled repeatable workflows
  • Connects with Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks and other enterprise sources
  • Facets, filters, clustering, and transformations support detailed data cleanup
  • Expressions in GREL, Clojure, and Jython extend transformation workflows
  • Exports to CSV, Excel, Google Sheets, Wikidata, SQL, and other formats
Cons
  • Quote-based pricing makes value comparison less transparent
  • The offering is focused on enterprise data-management needs
  • Web platform coverage may not suit teams seeking broader interfaces
  • No native scheduled runs for recurring data preparation
  • Integration coverage is narrower than broader data platforms
  • Batch automation relies on external tools, not OpenRefine-maintained features
Our verdict

SAS Data Preparation is an enterprise data-preparation capability within the SAS Viya ecosystem. It is designed for business analysts, data analysts, data scientists and other data users who need to ingest data, manage connections, profile…

Read the review →

OpenRefine is free, open-source software for cleaning, transforming, and extending messy datasets. It runs locally through a web browser on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a fit for individuals and teams that want a desktop-based data…

Read the review →
  1. SAS Data PreparationData Preparation Software 8.7Pricing on request · 14-day trial
  2. OpenRefineData Preparation Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SAS Data Preparation — where it wins

    • Profiles, blends, cleanses and transforms data visually
    • Supports lineage, governance and scheduled repeatable workflows
    • Connects with Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks and other enterprise sources

    Where it doesn't

    • Quote-based pricing makes value comparison less transparent
    • The offering is focused on enterprise data-management needs
    • Web platform coverage may not suit teams seeking broader interfaces
  • OpenRefine — where it wins

    • Facets, filters, clustering, and transformations support detailed data cleanup
    • Expressions in GREL, Clojure, and Jython extend transformation workflows
    • Exports to CSV, Excel, Google Sheets, Wikidata, SQL, and other formats

    Where it doesn't

    • No native scheduled runs for recurring data preparation
    • Integration coverage is narrower than broader data platforms
    • Batch automation relies on external tools, not OpenRefine-maintained features
  • SAS Data Preparation8.7/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

    A broad SAS Viya data-preparation offering for governed enterprise workflows.

    Visit SASFull verdict →
  • OpenRefine8.2/10 · Free plan

    A flexible local workspace for exploring, cleaning, reconciling, and exporting messy datasets.

    Visit OpenRefineFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update