Software · head to head
Stata vs Comet ML
Comet ML
Software
Platform for tracking, comparing, and optimizing ML experiments
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Comet ML has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Stata the entry Stata/BE edition is capped at 2,048 variables and 798 independent variables in a model; Comet ML the free cloud tier caps data at 25,000 spans a month with 60 day retention
- They diverge on capability: Stata covers Statistical analysis, Comet ML covers Experiment tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Stata and Comet ML actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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 Stata
- Statistical analysis
- Data management
- Graphics
- Econometrics
- Survey analysis
- Python
- ODBC
- Excel
Only in Comet ML
- Experiment tracking
- Code versioning
- Model registry
- Hyperparameter optimization
- Production monitoring
- PyTorch
- TensorFlow
- Keras
Both cover
- Linux support
- Mac support
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Stata
- Statistical analysis and econometrics on panel and survey datanot Comet ML
- Reproducible research with do files and logsnot Comet ML
- Teaching quantitative methods to studentsnot Comet ML
Comet ML
- Tracking machine learning experiments, metrics and model versionsnot Stata
- Monitoring and evaluating LLM applications with tracingnot Stata
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Comet ML
- The free cloud tier caps data at 25,000 spans a month with 60 day retention
- Retention stays at 60 days even on the paid Pro plan, and extending it is a $29 per 100k spans add on
- Overage on Pro is $5 per additional 100,000 spans
- The free MLOps tier is a single user with 100 GB of storage and training hours governed by a fair usage policy
- Pro MLOps is $19 per user per month and caps the team at 10 users
Pricing, plan by plan
Stata
$48/year- Stata/BE$48/year
- Basic edition
- Core features
- Stata/SE$295/year
- Standard edition
- Larger datasets
Comet ML
Free- FreeFree
- 100 experiments
- Basic features
- Community support
- Team$179/month
- Unlimited experiments
- Team collaboration
- Priority support
Which should you pick?
Choose Stata if
- You need statistical analysis.
- You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
- You also want data management.
Choose Comet ML if
- You need experiment tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Linux, Mac, Windows.
- You also want code versioning.
Questions people ask
- Is Stata or Comet ML better?
- Neither clearly leads. Stata starts at $48/year and Comet ML at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Stata or Comet ML?
- Comet ML has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $48/year for Stata and Free for Comet ML.
- Does Stata or Comet ML run on more platforms?
- Stata runs on Linux, Mac, Windows. Comet ML runs on Web, Linux, Mac, Windows.
- Can I use Comet ML for free?
- Yes. Comet ML has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Stata starts at $48/year.
- What is Stata best used for?
- Stata is most often used for statistical analysis and econometrics on panel and survey data, reproducible research with do files and logs, teaching quantitative methods to students. Of those, statistical analysis and econometrics on panel and survey data and reproducible research with do files and logs are not what Comet ML is typically brought in for.
- What can Stata do that Comet ML cannot?
- Stata covers Statistical analysis, Data management, Graphics, Econometrics. Comet ML covers Experiment tracking, Code versioning, Model registry, Hyperparameter optimization. Both handle Linux support, Mac support, Windows support.