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Machine Learning · head to head

AWS SageMaker vs Stata

AWS SageMaker logo

AWS SageMaker

Machine Learning

Build, train, and deploy machine learning models at scale

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 AWS SageMaker has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AWS SageMaker vendor lock-in to AWS ecosystem makes migration to other platforms difficult; Stata the entry Stata/BE edition is capped at 2,048 variables and 798 independent variables in a model
  • They diverge on capability: AWS SageMaker covers Jupyter notebooks, Stata covers Statistical analysis.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AWS SageMaker and Stata actually diverge.

Attributes where AWS SageMaker and Stata differ
AttributeAWS SageMakerStata
Starting priceFree$48/year
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebLinux, Mac, Windows
Founded20061985

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 AWS SageMaker

  • Jupyter notebooks
  • Built-in algorithms
  • Automatic model tuning
  • One-click deployment
  • Model monitoring
  • S3
  • Lambda
  • Step Functions

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.

AWS SageMaker

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

Stata

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

Where each one falls short

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

AWS SageMaker

  • Vendor lock-in to AWS ecosystem makes migration to other platforms difficult
  • Opaque pricing can lead to unexpected expenses like forgotten EBS volume charges
  • Does not include native job scheduling, requiring Lambda or EventBridge integration

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

AWS SageMaker

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the AWS SageMaker review.

Stata

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

Which should you pick?

Choose AWS SageMaker if

  • You need jupyter notebooks.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want built-in algorithms.
AWS SageMaker 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 AWS SageMaker or Stata better?
Neither clearly leads. AWS SageMaker 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, AWS SageMaker or Stata?
AWS SageMaker has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AWS SageMaker and $48/year for Stata.
Does AWS SageMaker or Stata run on more platforms?
AWS SageMaker runs on Web. Stata runs on Linux, Mac, Windows.
Can I use AWS SageMaker for free?
Yes. AWS SageMaker has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Stata starts at $48/year.
What is AWS SageMaker best used for?
AWS SageMaker 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 AWS SageMaker do that Stata cannot?
AWS SageMaker covers Jupyter notebooks, Built-in algorithms, Automatic model tuning, One-click deployment. Stata covers Statistical analysis, Data management, Graphics, Econometrics.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AWS SageMaker: What is AWS SageMaker used for?

AWS SageMaker is a machine learning service for building, training, and deploying ML models at scale. It provides tools for data preparation, model training, inference endpoints, and performance optimization.

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
AWS SageMaker: How is AWS SageMaker priced?

SageMaker uses pay-as-you-go pricing with no upfront costs or long-term commitments. Pricing starts at $0.04 per hour for basic notebook instances and scales based on instance type. ML Savings Plans offer up to 64% off with hourly spend commitments.

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
AWS SageMaker: Does AWS SageMaker have a free tier?

Yes, the free tier includes 250 hours of notebook usage, 50 hours of training, and 125 hours of hosting on ml.t3.medium instances during the first two months.

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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