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Head-to-head · Statistical Analysis Software

Stata vs NCSS

  • 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
NCSS #22 in Statistical Analysis Software 7.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit NCSS

Stata leads on 0 checks, NCSS 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 scoreStata · 9.3/10
  • Free trialonly NCSS
  • Most featuresStata · 4 of 4

Stata scores higher on our rubric for statistical analysis software: 9.3 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #22.

Stata is the better fit for professional, reproducible applied analysis. NCSS is the better fit for broad Windows-based statistical procedures.

  • Stata fits best

    Professional, reproducible applied analysis

  • NCSS fits best

    Broad Windows-based statistical procedures

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Side by side

Feature Stata 9.3/10 Visit ↗ NCSS 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.3
Ranking #2 in Statistical Analysis Software #22 in Statistical Analysis Software
Best for Professional, reproducible applied analysis Broad Windows-based statistical procedures
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $175/user/yr $349/user/yr
Free plan — —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Stata 4/4 · NCSS 3/4
Statistical tests ✓ ✓
Regression models ✓ ✓
Scripting support ✓ ✓
Bayesian analysis ✓ (best) Not checked yet
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 NCSS, Access, dBase, Epi Info, Excel, Gauss, JMP, Matlab, Minitab, R, SAS, S-PLUS, SPSS, Stata, Statistica, Systat, TXT, CSV
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 →

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. StataStatistical Analysis Software 9.3Paid
  2. NCSSStatistical Analysis Software 7.330-day trial

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

  • 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
  • Stata9.3/10 · Paid

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

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

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

    Visit NCSSFull 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