Why buy Stata?

Let us summarise why we think Stata is such a good program.

It is not expensive relative to other comprehensive programs on the market (such as SPSS and SAS). The program includes all procedures: there are no extra modules to purchase. However, new functions and procedures can be readily added. Some new procedures are released by Stata. Others are less formally circulated among the growing community of users.

There are no annual costs. The licence you receive is permanent. Updates (minor adjustments to the program) are available free from the Stata web site from time to time. Upgrades appear when major changes are needed: previous upgrades have been sold to existing users for little more than the cost of new documentation.

There are various purchase options such as single user, network and volume. The network is defined in terms of the maximum number of people likely to be using the program at the same time. Extra documentation or supplementary books can be purchased as needed. Software prices are lower for academic users. Students may purchase Stata under the graduate plan (GradPlan) for even greater discounts.

Stata is 100% compatible across computer platforms. A dataset, program or graph created using Stata on one platform may be read without translation by Stata running on a different platform. If you change your system, all your Stata data and commands will work on your new system.

The technical advice and service is excellent: prompt, detailed, authoritative and friendly.

The program is very easy and intuitive to use once you get used to the Stata jargon and formats. The basic screen has four windows: command, results, variables and the previous commands window.

Commands are entered using the GUI system, or can be typed in or retrieved with the PageUp key or retrieved from the list of previous commands. The list of previous commands (.do files) can be saved and edited for running as a syntax or batch file.

The program includes comprehensive graphics procedures designed to summarise results of the analyses and to assist in fit diagnostics for models. Results, including graphics, can be readily copied across to Word or other programs.

The data management procedures are very comprehensive. Data can be readily imported from or exported to ASCII and spreadsheet formats. The associated program Stat/Transfer facilitates transfer between any data formats: Stata, Excel, Access, SPSS, SAS, ASCII, etc.

Stata includes its own programming language so that users can add their own procedures. New commands (.ado files) are regularly distributed through The Stata Journal or made available through the web.

Stata will do virtually all of the statistical procedures found in other comprehensive programs, but is particularly strong on survival analysis, panel data analysis, time series and analysis of survey data. Please contact us if you need further discussion or information.

Further information

See our overview of Stata.
See our software price list.
Visit our bookshop.
Visit the Stata site.
See what other people have written about Stata.