R
R is a free software environment designed for statistical computing, with graphics support, statistical tests, regression models, and scripting.
What R is
R is a free software environment designed for statistical computing, with graphics support, statistical tests, regression models, and scripting. It runs on Windows, macOS, and a wide range of UNIX platforms. R can import text, XML, spreadsheet-like, Excel, SPSS, SAS, and Stata files, as well as data from databases, binary files, and image files. Downloads are available through preferred CRAN mirrors. Project resources include installation and license FAQs, documentation, manuals, journals, books, and certification links. Community resources include mailing lists and developer pages, while questions about the software are directed to the Getting Help section. The listed current release is R version 4.6.1, named Happy Hop, released on June 24, 2026. The R project was founded in 1990, and its maker is listed as R, headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
Good
- Free software environment.
- Supports statistical tests and regression models.
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and UNIX platforms.
- Imports files from several formats and databases.
- Includes scripting and graphics support.
Watch out
- Platforms listed for deployment are macOS and Windows.
- The current listed release is version 4.6.1.
Who it suits
R suits people who need a free environment for statistical computing, scripting, graphics, statistical tests, or regression models. Its broad file-import support may help users working with varied data sources.
Verdict
R offers statistical computing, graphics, and scripting in a free environment, with support for many platforms and data formats. Its project also provides documentation and community resources for users seeking help.
Plans and prices
From R's own pricing page, checked 27 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| R | Free | Free software environment |
The facts
Each one read from R's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Community Resources
- The site lists mailing lists, contributing, developer pages, and related project links.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Current Version
- R version 4.6.1, named Happy Hop, was released on 2026-06-24.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Data import formats
- text files, XML, spreadsheet-like files, Excel, SPSS, SAS, Stata, databases, binary files, image fileschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- desktopchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Documentation Resources
- The site provides documentation, manuals, FAQs, journals, books, and certification links.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Download Source
- R downloads are provided through preferred CRAN mirrors.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Foundation Donations
- The Kalibera Family Fund accepts donations until the end of 2026.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Foundation Support
- Users can support the R Foundation through a renewable supporting-member subscription.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Graphics Support
- R supports graphics as part of its environment.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Installation Help
- FAQs cover how to download and install R.checked 27 Sep 2026
- License Help
- FAQs provide information about R license terms.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Previous Version
- R version 4.5.3, named Reassured Reassurer, was a wrap-up release.checked 27 Sep 2026
- R Conference
- The useR! 2026 conference took place in Warsaw from July 7-9.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Regression models
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Scripting support
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Social Channels
- The R Foundation is present on BlueSky, Mastodon, and LinkedIn.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Statistical Computing
- R is designed for statistical computing.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Statistical tests
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1990checked 23 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Vienna, Austriachecked 23 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Free Software
- R is provided as a free software environment.checked 27 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- MacOS Support
- R runs on MacOS.checked 27 Sep 2026
- Supported Platforms
- R runs on UNIX platforms, Windows, and MacOS.checked 27 Sep 2026
