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Head-to-head · Statistical Analysis Software

Stata vs gretl

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Stata #2 in Statistical Analysis Software 9.3/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Stata
gretl #17 in Statistical Analysis Software 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit gretl

Stata leads on 0 checks, gretl on 1, 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 scoreStata · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly gretl

Stata scores higher on our rubric for statistical analysis software: 9.3 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #17.

gretl offers free plan; Stata doesn't.

Stata is the better fit for professional, reproducible applied analysis. gretl is the better fit for free econometrics and time-series work.

  • Stata fits best

    Professional, reproducible applied analysis

  • gretl fits best

    Free econometrics and time-series work

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Side by side

Feature Stata 9.3/10 Visit ↗ gretl 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.8
Ranking #2 in Statistical Analysis Software #17 in Statistical Analysis Software
Best for Professional, reproducible applied analysis Free econometrics and time-series work
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $175/user/yr Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Stata 4/4 · gretl 4/4
Statistical tests ✓ ✓
Regression models ✓ ✓
Scripting support ✓ ✓
Bayesian analysis ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Data import formats Excel XLS/XLSX, CSV and delimited text, SAS, SPSS, Parquet, dBase, SQL databases via JDBC/ODBC, FRED, and Haver XML, CSV, Excel, Gnumeric, OpenDocument, Stata, SPSS, EViews, JMulTi, RATS 4 and PC-Give
Our review
Pros
  • Broad modeling across Bayesian, time-series, panel, survival, and multilevel methods
  • Command scripting, Mata programming, and reproducible reporting
  • Python, Jupyter, database, and common statistical-format integration
  • 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
Cons
  • No free plan; published academic pricing requires university affiliation proof
  • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-first or cloud-only workflows
  • Higher-tier MP editions cost more as core counts increase
  • 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
Our verdict

Stata is an integrated desktop application for data management, statistical modeling, visualization, reporting, and reproducible workflows. It is designed for researchers, analysts, educators, and organizations that need applied analysis…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. StataStatistical Analysis Software 9.3Paid
  2. gretlStatistical Analysis Software 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Stata — where it wins

    • Broad modeling across Bayesian, time-series, panel, survival, and multilevel methods
    • Command scripting, Mata programming, and reproducible reporting
    • Python, Jupyter, database, and common statistical-format integration

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; published academic pricing requires university affiliation proof
    • Desktop deployment may not suit browser-first or cloud-only workflows
    • Higher-tier MP editions cost more as core counts increase

  • 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
  • Stata9.3/10 · Paid

    A broad, scriptable desktop environment for professional and reproducible applied analysis.

    Visit StataFull verdict →
  • gretl7.8/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit gretlFull verdict →

More comparisons

All statistical analysis software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update