Quick Answer
Download Stata from the official website at stata.com. A free 30-day trial is available. Stata is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. For students, check your university IT department for free or discounted academic access. Current version: Stata 18 (2026).
- 1Visit stata.com and click Products
- 2Choose Stata BE, SE, or MP edition
- 3Click Free Trial or purchase a license
- 4Download the installer for your operating system
- 5Enter your serial number and authorization code to activate
What Is Stata
Stata is a comprehensive statistical software package developed by StataCorp that combines data management, statistical analysis, graphics, and programming in a single environment. It is widely used in economics, epidemiology, political science, sociology, and public health research for its robust handling of complex survey data, panel data, and time-series analysis.
One of Stata's key strengths is its do-file scripting system, which makes research fully reproducible. Unlike purely menu-driven software, Stata's command-line interface allows researchers to document and replay every step of their analysis, which is a requirement for peer-reviewed academic research.
Stata Editions Comparison
| Edition | Max Variables | Max Observations | Parallel Processing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stata BE | 2,048 | 2.14 billion | No | Basic research, teaching |
| Stata SE | 32,767 | 2.14 billion | No | Academic and applied research |
| Stata MP | 32,767+ | 20+ billion | Yes (multi-core) | Large datasets, big data research |
How to Download Stata
Visit stata.com
Open your browser and go to stata.com. Navigate to the Products section to see all available Stata editions and pricing.
Choose Your Edition
Select Stata BE for basic use, Stata SE for standard research, or Stata MP for large datasets and parallel processing. Consider your dataset size and research requirements.
Select License Type
Choose between an annual subscription license (lower upfront cost) or a perpetual license (one-time payment, no annual fee). Student annual licenses are the most affordable option for academic users.
Complete Purchase or Start Trial
Click Free Trial for a 30-day trial or complete your purchase. You will receive a serial number and authorization code by email after purchase.
Download the Installer
Log in to the StataCorp download portal and download the installer for your operating system — Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Install Stata
Run the downloaded installer. On Windows, right-click and Run as Administrator. Accept the license agreement and follow the installation wizard.
Activate Your License
Launch Stata after installation. Enter your serial number, code, and authorization from your purchase email. Click OK to activate. Stata will verify the license online.
Stata 18 System Requirements
| Component | Windows | macOS | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS Version | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) | macOS 11.0 Big Sur or later | Ubuntu 20.04+ / RHEL 8+ |
| RAM | 2 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended | 2 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended | 2 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended |
| Disk Space | 2 GB free | 2 GB free | 2 GB free |
| CPU | 64-bit processor | Intel or Apple Silicon | 64-bit x86-64 |
| Display | 1024 x 768 minimum | 1024 x 768 minimum | 1024 x 768 minimum |
Key Features of Stata 18
Stata 18 introduced several major improvements over previous versions:
- Causal inference tools: New commands for difference-in-differences, synthetic control, and other modern econometric methods.
- Bayesian analysis improvements: Expanded Bayesian commands with better posterior predictive capabilities.
- Heterogeneous difference-in-differences: Built-in support for modern panel data estimators like Callaway-SantAnna.
- Lasso and regularized regression: Integrated machine learning methods for variable selection.
- Multiple frames: Work with multiple datasets simultaneously in the same session.
- Enhanced graphics: Updated graph themes and improved publication-quality output.
Stata vs SPSS — Which Should You Download
| Criterion | Stata | SPSS |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Economics, epidemiology, political science | Psychology, social work, market research |
| Interface | Command-line + GUI | Primarily menu-driven GUI |
| Reproducibility | Excellent (do-files) | Good (syntax files) |
| Panel Data | Excellent built-in support | Limited |
| Survey Data | Excellent (svy commands) | Good |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Student Price | ~$195-295/year | ~$99/month or university license |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Stata is not free — it is a commercial statistical software product by StataCorp. However, StataCorp offers a free 30-day trial of Stata 18. Many universities provide Stata free to students and researchers through site licenses. Check with your university IT department before purchasing, as academic access may be available at no cost.
Next Steps
After downloading Stata, explore other professional software guides: