This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them

Period

–Visits

–Page views

–Clicks to vendors

–Time on page

–Reading now

Clicks to vendors, by tool

Top countries

Devices

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

OpenQDA

Free#14 of 20 in Qualitative Data Analysis Software

OpenQDA: A free desktop workspace for organizing projects, coding documents, and writing memos. Ranked #14 of 20 in Qualitative Data Analysis Software by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free desktop users needing core coding and memos.

6.8/10Editor score

Visit OpenQDA

OpenQDA6.8 Visit OpenQDA

At a glance

Editor score
6.8 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Free desktop users needing core coding and memos
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Coding tools
Yes
Facts checked
24 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Free and open-source desktop application
- Hierarchical codes, coding, memos, search, and exports
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Where it doesn't
- Desktop deployment only
- No AI features
- Docs and community are the listed support channels

Our verdict on OpenQDA

OpenQDA is a free, open-source desktop application for qualitative data analysis. It is designed for researchers who need to organize analysis projects, import qualitative documents, apply codes, manage hierarchical code systems, and keep analytical memos together in a project workspace. The software runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for individual researchers and teams that prefer locally installed tools. Its feature set centers on core qualitative organization rather than a broad collaboration or automation suite.

The published offering is straightforward: OpenQDA is available at no cost, with no commercial subscription or paid tier described. Desktop deployment lets users choose among Windows, macOS, and Linux, while project search and export functions support movement of project or analysis data. Core workflows cover project creation, document import, coding, hierarchical code management, memo handling, and content search. Documentation and community channels are the listed support routes, so buyers should expect a project-oriented support model rather than a tiered commercial service structure.

OpenQDA fits researchers who want essential coding and memo capabilities without a license fee, especially those comfortable managing a desktop application. Its narrow focus can be an advantage for solo or small research workflows centered on organizing documents and interpreting coded material. Buyers seeking AI-assisted analysis should look elsewhere because AI features are not included. Organizations that require browser-based deployment, built-in collaboration, or a wider media-analysis environment should compare alternatives before choosing OpenQDA.

Your product? Our editors can test OpenQDA in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

OpenQDA pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on openqda.org

OpenQDA fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Coding tools	Yes
Audio/video analysis	Not verified
Team collaboration	Not verified
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux
Mixed-methods analysis	Not verified
Transcription included	Not verified
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs, Community
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	openqda.org
Facts checked	24 Sep 2026

Alternatives to OpenQDA

See all OpenQDA alternatives →

Used OpenQDA? Be the first to review it

The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used OpenQDA for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Title

Your review

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Pros (optional · one per line)

Cons (optional · one per line)

Your name (shown with your review)

Role (optional)

Company (optional)

How long have you used it?

I've used OpenQDA myself and this is my honest opinion — nobody paid or asked me to write it.

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

OpenQDA is listed in our Qualitative Data Analysis Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/openqda/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/openqda.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update