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Anaconda vs Stata

Anaconda logo

Anaconda

Software

The world's most popular data science platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stata logo

Stata

Software

Data science software for research professionals

From
$48/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Anaconda has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Anaconda dependency resolution slower than pip due to SAT solver complexity; Stata the entry Stata/BE edition is capped at 2,048 variables and 798 independent variables in a model
  • They diverge on capability: Anaconda covers Conda package manager, Stata covers Statistical analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Anaconda and Stata actually diverge.

Attributes where Anaconda and Stata differ
AttributeAnacondaStata
Starting priceFree$48/year
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, Web/CloudLinux, Mac, Windows
Founded20121985

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Anaconda

  • Conda package manager
  • Environment management
  • 1500+ packages
  • Navigator GUI
  • Cross-platform support
  • Jupyter
  • VS Code
  • PyCharm

Only in Stata

  • Statistical analysis
  • Data management
  • Graphics
  • Econometrics
  • Survey analysis
  • Python
  • ODBC
  • Excel

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Mac support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Anaconda

  • Machine learningnot Stata
  • Data analysisnot Stata
  • Model trainingnot Stata
  • Predictive analyticsnot Stata

Stata

  • Statistical analysis and econometrics on panel and survey datanot Anaconda
  • Reproducible research with do files and logsnot Anaconda
  • Teaching quantitative methods to studentsnot Anaconda

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Anaconda

  • Dependency resolution slower than pip due to SAT solver complexity
  • Not all PyPI packages available through default Anaconda repository
  • Requires paid licenses for organizations with 200+ employees
  • Larger disk footprint than minimal Python installations

Stata

  • The entry Stata/BE edition is capped at 2,048 variables and 798 independent variables in a model
  • Raising the variable limit to 32,767 requires Stata/SE and 120,000 requires Stata/MP
  • Stata/MP is licensed by core count, so 2 core and 4 core licences are priced separately
  • Student licences require proof of enrolment at a degree granting institution
  • Stata/MP is not sold on a 6 month student term
  • Perpetual student licences cost several times the annual price, for example $298 against $94 for Stata/BE

Pricing, plan by plan

Anaconda

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 600+ pre-installed packages
    • Anaconda Navigator
    • 5GB cloud storage
  • Starter$15/month
    • 10GB cloud storage per user
    • Professional development environment
    • Team workspace controls
  • Business$50/month
    • Automated vulnerability scanning
    • Audit trails
    • Enterprise SSO

Stata

$48/year
  • Stata/BE$48/year
    • Basic edition
    • Core features
  • Stata/SE$295/year
    • Standard edition
    • Larger datasets

Which should you pick?

Choose Anaconda if

  • You need conda package manager.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web/Cloud.
  • You also want environment management.
Anaconda review

Choose Stata if

  • You need statistical analysis.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
  • You also want data management.
Stata review

Questions people ask

Is Anaconda or Stata better?
Neither clearly leads. Anaconda starts at Free and Stata at $48/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Anaconda or Stata?
Anaconda has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Anaconda and $48/year for Stata.
Does Anaconda or Stata run on more platforms?
Anaconda runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web/Cloud. Stata runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.
Can I use Anaconda for free?
Yes. Anaconda has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Stata starts at $48/year.
What is Anaconda best used for?
Anaconda is most often used for machine learning, data analysis, model training, predictive analytics. Of those, machine learning and data analysis are not what Stata is typically brought in for.
What can Anaconda do that Stata cannot?
Anaconda covers Conda package manager, Environment management, 1500+ packages, Navigator GUI. Stata covers Statistical analysis, Data management, Graphics, Econometrics. Both handle Linux support, Mac support, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Anaconda: Does Anaconda have a free version?

Yes. Anaconda Distribution is free and includes 600+ pre-installed data science packages, Navigator, and 5GB of cloud storage. Organizations with 200+ employees must use paid plans unless they qualify for academic or non-profit exemptions.

Source
Anaconda: What is the difference between Anaconda Distribution and Miniconda?

Anaconda Distribution includes 600+ pre-installed packages optimized for data science out of the box. Miniconda is lightweight with only conda, Python, and essential packages, requiring manual installation of additional libraries.

Source
Anaconda: Does Anaconda integrate with VS Code?

Yes. Anaconda environments can be activated in VS Code, and you can run Jupyter Notebooks directly. Both JupyterLab and conda can be managed through the VS Code Jupyter extension.

Source
Anaconda: What platforms does Anaconda support?

Anaconda runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with cloud-based deployment options. Anaconda Notebooks provides a cloud-based JupyterLab environment requiring no local installation.

Source
Anaconda: Do all PyPI packages work with Anaconda?

Not all PyPI packages are available through Anaconda's default conda repository. When a package is unavailable in conda, you can install it from conda-forge or pip as an alternative.

Source
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