SOFA Statistics
SOFA Statistics is a free, open-source desktop package for statistical analysis and reporting on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What SOFA Statistics is
SOFA Statistics is a free, open-source desktop package for statistical analysis and reporting on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It provides charts, report tables, descriptive measures, and tests including t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square, and correlations. Data can be imported from Excel, ODS, CSV, tab-separated files, and Google Docs spreadsheets, then exported to Excel. Direct database connections include MySQL, Microsoft Access, SQLite, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server. For reporting, SOFA can export Python scripts for routine automation, while its tabular HTML output can be shared on websites or intranets. The classic application is in stable maintenance, with releases mainly for bug fixes. The maker says the sofastats_lib Python library is ready, while a new web GUI remains under construction. SOFA focuses on commonly used analyses, and its FAQ recommends R when required features are outside its scope. It is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 or later.
Good
- Free and open-source desktop software
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Connects to major databases
- Exports Python scripts and HTML reports
- No stated record or variable limits
Watch out
- Classic application is in maintenance mode
- New web GUI remains under construction
- Focuses on commonly used analyses
- No free trial is offered
Who it suits
SOFA Statistics suits researchers, students, data analysts, and anyone seeking to understand data. It is useful for users needing common statistical tests and desktop reporting.
Verdict
SOFA Statistics covers common analysis, data import, database connection, and reporting tasks without a software charge. Users needing capabilities beyond its stated scope may need another package, and development is split between maintenance and a new GUI under construction.
Plans and prices
From SOFA Statistics's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| SOFA Statistics | Free | Free and open source · no stated record or variable limits · AGPL-3.0 |
The facts
Each one read from SOFA Statistics's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Analysis
- It provides charts, report tables, descriptive measures, and statistical tests including t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square, and correlations.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Current development
- The maker says SOFA is being refreshed: its sofastats_lib Python library is ready to use, while its new web GUI remains under construction.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Database connections
- It connects directly to MySQL, Microsoft Access, SQLite, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server databases.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Data import and export
- It imports Excel, ODS, CSV, and tab-separated data, and can export data to Excel format.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Data import formats
- Excel, ODS, CSV, Google Docs spreadsheetschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Deployment
- desktopchecked 20 Sep 2001
- Intended users
- The maker names researchers, students, data analysts, and anyone seeking to understand their data as potential users.checked 12 Oct 2001
- License
- The software is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 or later.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Maintenance status
- The classic application is in stable maintenance mode, with new releases mainly for bug fixes.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Notable scope limit
- The FAQ says SOFA focuses on commonly used analyses and recommends R for use cases needing features SOFA does not provide.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Product
- SOFA Statistics is a user-friendly, open-source statistics, analysis, and reporting package.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Reporting
- It can export Python scripts to automate routine reporting, and its tabular output is HTML that can be shared on websites or intranets.checked 12 Oct 2001
- Statistical tests
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Support
- For installation or usage problems, the maker directs users to its discussion group, the lead developer, or Launchpad bug reports.checked 12 Oct 2001
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
The company
- Maker location
- The FAQ identifies Paton-Simpson & Associates Ltd as based in Auckland, New Zealand.checked 12 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The classic download page lists Windows and Linux versions and a Mac version 1.4.6; it says version 1.5.x is not yet available for Mac.checked 12 Oct 2001
