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Machine Learning · head to head

OpenRouter vs Stata

OpenRouter logo

OpenRouter

Machine Learning

Unified API gateway routing requests across 500+ models from 80+ providers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stata logo

Stata

Machine Learning

Data science software for research professionals

From
$48/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenRouter has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OpenRouter no free tier; all usage incurs cost; Stata the entry Stata/BE edition is capped at 2,048 variables and 798 independent variables in a model
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenRouter and Stata actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenRouter and Stata differ
AttributeOpenRouterStata
Starting priceFree$48/year
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAPI, WebLinux, Mac, Windows
FoundedUnknown1985

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

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 OpenRouter

Nothing recorded that Stata does not also cover.

Only in Stata

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

What people use each for

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

OpenRouter

  • Multi-model applications optimising for cost or performancenot Stata
  • Provider-agnostic deployments avoiding vendor lock-innot Stata
  • Enterprise applications with custom data policies and provider requirementsnot Stata
  • Development workflows testing multiple models without code changesnot Stata

Stata

  • Statistical analysis and data analysisnot OpenRouter
  • Econometric modelingnot OpenRouter
  • Biostatistics and epidemiologynot OpenRouter
  • Academic and research data analysisnot OpenRouter

Where each one falls short

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

OpenRouter

  • No free tier; all usage incurs cost
  • Pricing varies by model; specific rates not published on main site without account access
  • Adds latency through additional routing layer compared to direct provider APIs
  • Dependent on upstream provider uptime and API compatibility

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

OpenRouter

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50 requests per day
    • Access to 25+ free models across 4 providers
    • Community support
  • Pay-as-you-go$null/variable
    • 5.5% platform fee on inference costs
    • Access to 500+ models across 80+ providers
    • Email support
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Negotiable platform fees
    • 200,000 USD of list price inference per month with no fees, then 5% fee after
    • SSO/SAML support

Stata

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

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenRouter if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on API, Web.
OpenRouter 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 OpenRouter or Stata better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenRouter 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, OpenRouter or Stata?
OpenRouter has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenRouter and $48/year for Stata.
Does OpenRouter or Stata run on more platforms?
OpenRouter runs on API, Web. Stata runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.
Can I use OpenRouter for free?
Yes. OpenRouter has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Stata starts at $48/year.
What is OpenRouter best used for?
OpenRouter is most often used for multi-model applications optimising for cost or performance, provider-agnostic deployments avoiding vendor lock-in, enterprise applications with custom data policies and provider requirements, development workflows testing multiple models without code changes. Of those, multi-model applications optimising for cost or performance and provider-agnostic deployments avoiding vendor lock-in are not what Stata is typically brought in for.
What can OpenRouter do that Stata cannot?
Stata covers Statistical analysis, Data management, Graphics, Econometrics.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OpenRouter: How much does OpenRouter charge?

OpenRouter charges a 5.5% platform fee on top of the actual inference costs from selected models. Customers purchase credits on a pay-as-you-go basis with no subscriptions or minimum spend requirements.

Source
Stata: How much does Stata cost?

Stata does not publish specific pricing on its website. Customers must use the 'Order Stata' or 'Request a quote' functions to obtain pricing. StataNow is available as a subscription option, but specific monthly or annual costs are not displayed publicly.

Source
OpenRouter: Is there a free tier?

Yes. OpenRouter offers a free tier with 50 requests per day and access to 25+ free models across 4 providers. The free tier provides community support only.

Source
Stata: What are the differences between Stata editions?

Stata offers multiple editions including Stata/BE and Stata/MP, with different capabilities and performance characteristics. Edition selection affects pricing, but specific comparisons and costs require requesting a quote.

Source
OpenRouter: What does the Enterprise plan include?

The Enterprise plan includes 200,000 USD of list price inference per month at no cost, with a 5% platform fee applied to usage above that threshold. It also includes SSO/SAML support, contractual SLAs, and dedicated support with a shared Slack channel.

Source
Stata: Does Stata offer a subscription model?

Yes, StataNow is offered as a subscription option that delivers new features immediately upon release. However, specific pricing for StataNow subscriptions is not published on the website.

Source
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