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Head-to-head · Statistical Analysis Software

Stata vs SAS/STAT

  • 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
SAS/STAT #7 in Statistical Analysis Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit SAS

Stata leads on 0 checks, SAS/STAT 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
  • Most featuresStata · 4 of 4

Stata scores higher on our rubric for statistical analysis software: 9.3 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

On deployment, SAS/STAT gives you Both where Stata offers Desktop.

Stata is the better fit for professional, reproducible applied analysis. SAS/STAT is the better fit for organizations needing deep SAS statistical procedures.

  • Stata fits best

    Professional, reproducible applied analysis

  • SAS/STAT fits best

    Organizations needing deep SAS statistical procedures

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Side by side

Feature Stata 9.3/10 Visit ↗ SAS/STAT 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.8
Ranking #2 in Statistical Analysis Software #7 in Statistical Analysis Software
Best for Professional, reproducible applied analysis Organizations needing deep SAS statistical procedures
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $175/user/yr Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Stata 4/4 · SAS/STAT 3/4
Statistical tests ✓ ✓
Regression models ✓ ✓
Scripting support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Bayesian analysis ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Desktop Both
Data import formats Excel XLS/XLSX, CSV and delimited text, SAS, SPSS, Parquet, dBase, SQL databases via JDBC/ODBC, FRED, and Haver Not checked yet
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 ANOVA, regression, Bayesian, survival and missing-data methods
  • Includes predictive modeling, categorical analysis and customizable charts
  • Supports statistical work across small datasets and large-scale modeling
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
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation instead of a posted rate
  • Broad procedure coverage may exceed the needs of simple analyses
  • Proprietary licensing does not support open-source distribution models
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 →

SAS/STAT is statistical analysis software for researchers, analysts and organizations that need a broad set of formal procedures. Its scope spans analysis of variance, linear models, regression, Bayesian inference, categorical data,…

Read the review →
  1. StataStatistical Analysis Software 9.3Paid
  2. SAS/STATStatistical Analysis Software 8.8Pricing on request

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

  • SAS/STAT — where it wins

    • Covers ANOVA, regression, Bayesian, survival and missing-data methods
    • Includes predictive modeling, categorical analysis and customizable charts
    • Supports statistical work across small datasets and large-scale modeling

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales conversation instead of a posted rate
    • Broad procedure coverage may exceed the needs of simple analyses
    • Proprietary licensing does not support open-source distribution models
  • Stata9.3/10 · Paid

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

    Visit StataFull verdict →
  • SAS/STAT8.8/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad SAS toolkit for organizations that need advanced statistical procedures.

    Visit SASFull 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