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Software · head to head

SAS vs Anaconda

SAS logo

SAS

Software

Analytics, AI and data management software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Anaconda logo

Anaconda

Software

The world's most popular data science platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SAS sAS publishes no rate, no minimum and no named cost driver; the how to buy page offers only a customized price quote based on your requirements and deployment preferences; Anaconda dependency resolution slower than pip due to SAT solver complexity
  • They diverge on capability: SAS covers Statistical analysis, Anaconda covers Conda package manager.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SAS and Anaconda actually diverge.

Attributes where SAS and Anaconda differ
AttributeSASAnaconda
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsLinux, Windows, WebWindows, macOS, Linux, Web/Cloud
Founded19762012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 SAS

  • Statistical analysis
  • Machine learning
  • Forecasting
  • Text analytics
  • Optimization
  • Python
  • R
  • Hadoop

Only in Anaconda

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

Both cover

  • Linux support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

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

SAS

  • Regulated statistical analysis and clinical reportingnot Anaconda
  • Enterprise data management, visualization and decisioning on one licensed platformnot Anaconda

Anaconda

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

Where each one falls short

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

SAS

  • SAS publishes no rate, no minimum and no named cost driver; the how to buy page offers only a customized price quote based on your requirements and deployment preferences
  • Most new and existing customers are routed through authorized resellers rather than buying direct
  • Cloud marketplace purchases require choosing between pay as you go and bring your own licence, each with different licensing terms

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

Pricing, plan by plan

SAS

Free
  • SAS OnDemand for AcademicsFree
    • Academic use
    • Core SAS
  • SAS ViyaFree
    • Full platform
    • Cloud-native
    • AI/ML

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

Which should you pick?

Choose SAS if

  • You need statistical analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Web.
  • You also want machine learning.
SAS review

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

Questions people ask

Is SAS or Anaconda better?
Neither clearly leads. SAS starts at Free and Anaconda at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SAS or Anaconda?
SAS starts at Free and Anaconda at Free.
Does SAS or Anaconda run on more platforms?
SAS runs on Linux, Windows, Web. Anaconda runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Web/Cloud.
Can I use SAS for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is SAS best used for?
SAS is most often used for regulated statistical analysis and clinical reporting, enterprise data management, visualization and decisioning on one licensed platform. Of those, regulated statistical analysis and clinical reporting and enterprise data management, visualization and decisioning on one licensed platform are not what Anaconda is typically brought in for.
What can SAS do that Anaconda cannot?
SAS covers Statistical analysis, Machine learning, Forecasting, Text analytics. Anaconda covers Conda package manager, Environment management, 1500+ packages, Navigator GUI. Both handle Linux 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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