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Software · head to head

Minitab vs Stata

Minitab logo

Minitab

Software

Statistical software for quality improvement

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 Minitab has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Stata the entry Stata/BE edition is capped at 2,048 variables and 798 independent variables in a model
  • They diverge on capability: Minitab covers Quality tools, Stata covers Data management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Minitab and Stata actually diverge.

Attributes where Minitab and Stata differ
AttributeMinitabStata
Starting priceFree$48/year
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMac, Windows, WebLinux, Mac, Windows
Founded19721985

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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
  • R
  • Web support

Only in Stata

  • Data management
  • Graphics
  • Econometrics
  • Survey analysis
  • ODBC
  • SAS
  • Linux support

Both cover

  • Statistical analysis
  • Excel
  • Python
  • 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 Stata
  • Six Sigma and process improvement studies with control chartsnot Stata
  • Design of experiments and capability analysisnot Stata

Stata

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

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

Minitab

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

Stata

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

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 Stata if

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

Questions people ask

Is Minitab or Stata better?
Neither clearly leads. Minitab 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, Minitab or Stata?
Minitab has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Minitab and $48/year for Stata.
Does Minitab or Stata run on more platforms?
Minitab runs on Mac, Windows, Web. Stata runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.
Can I use Minitab for free?
Yes. Minitab has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Stata starts at $48/year.
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 Stata is typically brought in for.
What can Minitab do that Stata cannot?
Minitab covers Quality tools, Regression analysis, Control charts, Design of experiments. Stata covers Data management, Graphics, Econometrics, Survey analysis. Both handle Statistical analysis, Excel, Python, Mac support.
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