SPSS vs SAS | Which Data Analysis Software Is Best?

Are you looking for a comparison between SPSS vs SAS? If yes, then this blog is for you. A major concern of statistics students is the difference between SPSS vs SAS. This blog will talk about the key differences between SPSS vs SAS. Before going any further, let’s briefly introduce each of these terms.

What is SPSS?

SPSS full form is “Statistical Package for the Social Sciences”. This is a tool from IBM. It was launched in 1968. The software package consists of one application. This package is particularly useful for the statistical analysis of data.

The SPSS software is primarily used in several areas, such as healthcare, marketing, and educational research and by market researchers, health researchers, survey companies, education researchers, government, marketing organizations, and data miners.

The system analyzes the data for descriptive statistics, numerical results predictions, and group identifications. Additionally, the software allows users to manage data smoothly with features such as data transformation, graphing, and direct marketing.

Features of SPSS

Following are the key features of SPSS.

• SPSS stores data in the.SAV format. It mostly stores survey data. Data can be easily manipulated, analyzed and retrieved by using this method.

•  With Spss, we can access different types of data. These variables are easy to understand. Most of the process is automated in SPSS; researchers can quickly set up models.

• SPSS begins working after data is entered. The possibilities for analysis are endless.

• SPSS can also get data from critical sources. Spss offers trends analysis, assumptions, and predictive models.

• SPSS is a simple program to learn, use, and apply.

• Making use of editing tools and data management systems is helpful.

• You can use SPSS for in-depth statistical analysis of the results.

• With SPSS, we can create designs, plots, reports, and presentations for better clarity.

What is SAS?

SAS is a software tool used for analyzing and visualizing statistical data. SAS stands for Statistical Analysis Software. This software allows you to utilize qualitative processes and techniques to boost employee productivity and increase your profit. In addition to data mining, SAS is also used for advanced analysis like business intelligence, crime investigation, and forecasting. SAS is pronounced as “SaaS.”

SAS extracts and categorizes data, enabling you to analyze and identify data patterns. To compete in the competitive & changing business conditions, you need to perform advanced analysis, Business Intelligence, Predictive Analysis, and data management. SAS also works on both Linux and Windows, so it can run on either platform.

Features of SAS

SAS has the following key features:

• Data files from external databases can be accessed easily. Read and write almost any data format
• Entering, editing, retrieving, formatting, and converting data using data management tools
• Data can be analyzed using descriptive, statistical, forecasting, modeling, and linear programming
• Business practices can be improved through advanced analytics.
• Forming perfect graphs for reports
• Project management and operations research
• Modification and updating of data
• Language capable of handling large amounts of data
• Cleanup of data is excellent
• Multi-host system interaction

SPSS vs SAS: Limitations

Following are the limitations between SPSS vs SAS.

SPSS

• SAS has a much larger information storeroom, whereas SPSS has a smaller one. Due to this, it cannot manage and handle very large datasets. 

• SPSS is likewise closed source and expensive to purchase. Huge enterprises and associations can only use this product with high information requirements. 

• This programming instrument gives constrained punctuation and highlights, likewise characteristic of other programming instruments like R and SAS.

SAS

• SAS is a closed-source program. You must purchase a license to use it. It is so expensive that individuals and small companies cannot afford it.

• In graphical representations, SAS needs the most highlights. When compared with an open-source program like R, it lags.

• In SAS, the majority of the highlights are constrained. If you wish to use factual procedures or AI models, you need to obtain R software to indicate the total costs.

Differences between SPSS vs SAS

History and Basic difference

SPSS is a software program that is used for statistical analysis. The acronym stands for Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Researchers in health, market, education, and marketing also use it. SPSS is a statistical programming language for the PC developed for the social sciences. The original version of SPSS was created at Stanford University in 1968, eight years after the company SPSS Inc. was founded, and in 2009 IBM bought SPSS Inc.

The SAS programming language creates software for advanced analytics, business intelligence, data management, and predictive analysis. SAAS means Statistical Analysis System. SAS software was developed at North Carolina State University with the primary purpose of being able to analyze large amounts of agricultural data.

Data Processing

Data smaller than 100 MB can be processed using SPSS. It will provide appropriate results.

In the case of a huge amount of data, SAS is excellent and provides various functions like sorting or splicing the data.

Ease of Learning

With SPSS, a user doesn’t have to learn to code. Pasting steps within a user interface create syntax for the steps.

If you are familiar with SQL, SAS’s coding is easy to learn. If you don’t know what is SQL software then You can learn SAS from scratch with no problem.

Purpose and Usability

The SPSS software is an incredible tool for those who aren’t statisticians. Its interface is user-friendly, and the drop-down menus are easy to use. The method can be used in various fields, but it is most commonly used in social sciences.

SAS should have a considerable amount of high-quality production code for various purposes.

The company is considered to be a leader in commercial analytics. The SAS software is well tested, as it is updated in a controlled environment, which leads to strong handling capabilities.

Advantages

Many universities use SPSS. It comes with a good user interface with detailed instructions. With the ‘Paste’ button, you can easily write code with click and play functionality. The company provides a very good level of support to its users in case of any problems.

On the other hand, SAS is widely used in the industry. Its flow-based interface provides drag-and-drop functionality. It can handle large datasets with ease.

Disadvantages

SPSS is expensive and has different licenses based on its features. This language is limited in syntax, and it is slow to adopt new technologies. Furthermore, it is not able to handle very large datasets.

SAS is also expensive. You must write code to customize options not included in the user interface. Each visualization or data mining program has its program.

These are some of the differences between SPSS vs SAS. We hope you got enough information from this article.

Conclusion:

SPSS vs SAS each has its way of investigating information. Despite this, both are extremely useful. In addition to providing a method for improving the fair worth of an association, they also perform various functions that help a business recognize its worth and increase it. The newest technology allows you to combine SPSS vs SAS to enhance operational expenses and logical flexibility.

SAS is a good choice if you are familiar with programming. As an alternative, you could use SPSS. Both are IBM products. It makes SPSS a very reliable software package.

Furthermore, if you need programming assignment help then you can talk to our experts and receive immediate help.

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