Softwr

Software · head to head

Minitab vs IBM SPSS

Minitab logo

Minitab

Software

Statistical software for quality improvement

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IBM SPSS logo

IBM SPSS

Software

Statistical analysis software for data science

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Minitab pricing is by quote only: the pricing page is an inquiry form and publishes no rate, no seat price and no minimum; IBM SPSS add-on packages are priced separately from the base subscription, and the promotional 45% discount on them excludes renewals
  • They diverge on capability: Minitab covers Quality tools, IBM SPSS covers Predictive modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Minitab and IBM SPSS actually diverge.

Attributes where Minitab and IBM SPSS differ
AttributeMinitabIBM SPSS
PlatformsMac, Windows, WebLinux, Mac, Windows
Founded19721911

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), 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 Minitab

  • Quality tools
  • Regression analysis
  • Control charts
  • Design of experiments
  • Web support

Only in IBM SPSS

  • Predictive modeling
  • Data visualization
  • Survey analysis
  • Decision trees
  • SQL databases
  • Linux support

Both cover

  • Statistical analysis
  • Excel
  • Python
  • R
  • Mac support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

Minitab

  • Statistical analysis and hypothesis testing for quality engineeringnot IBM SPSS
  • Six Sigma and process improvement studies with control chartsnot IBM SPSS
  • Design of experiments and capability analysisnot IBM SPSS

IBM SPSS

  • Statistical testing and regression analysis for academic and market researchnot Minitab
  • Predictive modelling and forecasting without writing codenot Minitab

Where each one falls short

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

Minitab

  • Pricing is by quote only: the pricing page is an inquiry form and publishes no rate, no seat price and no minimum
  • Obtaining a price requires submitting contact details and waiting for a sales representative

IBM SPSS

  • Add-on packages are priced separately from the base subscription, and the promotional 45% discount on them excludes renewals
  • Subscription cost renews at the then current price at the end of the first year, so the advertised rate applies to the first term only
  • Prices shown are described by IBM as indicative, vary by country and exclude applicable taxes and duties
  • Extended access periods of 12 months or more are handled as tailored pricing rather than a published rate
  • Advanced statistics, custom tables, decision trees and forecasting are separate add-ons rather than part of the base product

Pricing, plan by plan

Minitab

Free
  • TrialFree
    • 7-day trial
    • Full features
  • Single User$29/month
    • Full Minitab
    • All features

IBM SPSS

Free
  • TrialFree
    • 14-day trial
    • Full features
  • Base$99/month
    • Core statistics
    • Data management

Which should you pick?

Choose Minitab if

  • You need quality tools.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, Windows, Web.
  • You also want regression analysis.
Minitab review

Choose IBM SPSS if

  • You need predictive modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
  • You also want data visualization.
IBM SPSS review

Questions people ask

Is Minitab or IBM SPSS better?
Neither clearly leads. Minitab starts at Free and IBM SPSS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Minitab or IBM SPSS?
Minitab starts at Free and IBM SPSS at Free.
Does Minitab or IBM SPSS run on more platforms?
Minitab runs on Mac, Windows, Web. IBM SPSS runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.
Can I use Minitab for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Minitab best used for?
Minitab is most often used for statistical analysis and hypothesis testing for quality engineering, six sigma and process improvement studies with control charts, design of experiments and capability analysis. Of those, statistical analysis and hypothesis testing for quality engineering and six sigma and process improvement studies with control charts are not what IBM SPSS is typically brought in for.
What can Minitab do that IBM SPSS cannot?
Minitab covers Quality tools, Regression analysis, Control charts, Design of experiments. IBM SPSS covers Predictive modeling, Data visualization, Survey analysis, Decision trees. Both handle Statistical analysis, Excel, Python, R.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Minitab

More on IBM SPSS

Keep looking

Other head to heads