gretl vs LatentGOLD

gretl is a free, open-source desktop package for econometric analysis, available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It includes statistical tests and regression models, with estimators such as least squares, maximum likelihood, GMM, and regularized methods including LASSO, Ridge, and elastic net. Time-series tools cover ARIMA, GARCH-type models, VARs, VECMs, unit-root and cointegration tests, and the Kalman filter. It also supports panel-data estimators and limited dependent-variable models, including probit and dynamic panel methods based on GMM. Users can script in hansl and export models as LaTeX tables or equations. Data formats include CSV, Excel, OpenDocument, Stata, SPSS, EViews, and others. gretl exchanges data and results with GNU R, GNU Octave, Python, Julia, Ox, and Stata, and supports machine learning via LIBSVM and mixed time-series frequencies via MIDAS. It is distributed under the GNU GPL, which permits redistribution and modification. The maker notes its statistical-method coverage is less comprehensive than GNU R's.

LatentGOLD is Windows desktop software for latent class and profile analysis, finite mixture modeling, choice modeling, segmentation, clustering and advanced latent-variable work. Its Basic version includes Cluster, DFactor, Regression and Step3 point-and-click modules. Advanced/Syntax adds complex sampling, multilevel latent class models, continuous latent variables, a point-and-click Markov module and the LG-equations syntax language. Choice options cover first-choice, ranking, best-worst, rating and allocation data. The software includes statistical tests, regression models and scripting, and imports ASCII text and SPSS system files. LatentGOLD 6.1 is listed as compatible with Windows 10 and 11; the maker supports installation only on Windows machines. There is no stated record-count limit, although runtime depends on data, machine speed and requested output. The maker identifies researchers, universities, market researchers, consultants and data analysts as users. Eligible university-affiliated students, researchers and educators can request a free academic single-user license for academic or non-commercial research. Pricing includes a 14-day trial and paid plans; listed standard single-user pricing for Basic + Advanced/Syntax is €795 a year.