MAXQDA vs QualCoder
MAXQDA
maxqda.comQualCoder
qualcoder.orgSide by side
| Figure | MAXQDA | QualCoder |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $41/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 1 |
| Spec score · Text Analytics Software | 9.0 (#3) | 7.8 (#14) |
| Spec score · Qualitative Data Analysis Software | 9.0 (#2) | 7.6 (#12) |
| Purpose | MAXQDA is qualitative data analysis software for qualitative and mixed methods research, including literature reviews, content analysis, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. | QualCoder is free, open-source software for qualitative data analysis. |
| Support | Free online support is provided for the current and preceding versions, with context-sensitive help linked from dialog windows. | The community page links to forums and language-specific support materials. |
Plans
MAXQDA
- AI Assist FreeFree
- MAXQDA Tailwind Free TrialFree
- MAXQDA Tailwind Pro$41 a month
- AI Assist Premium (12 months)Priced on request
- AI Assist Premium (6 months)Priced on request
- MAXQDAPriced on request
- MAXQDA Analytics ProPriced on request
- MAXQDA Tailwind EnterprisePriced on request
- MAXQDA TeamCloudPrice not published
In their own words
MAXQDA
MAXQDA is desktop software for qualitative and mixed methods research, including literature reviews, content analysis, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. Its tools include qualitative and mixed methods analysis, quantitative text analysis with MAXDictio, and statistical analysis with Stats. Analytics Pro can import and connect Excel or SPSS data and includes descriptive statistics, crosstabs, ANOVA, independent-samples t-tests, cluster analysis, Pearson and Spearman correlations, and scale calculations. MAXQDA Transcription can automatically transcribe audio and video in over 50 languages without a MAXQDA license, though analyzing transcripts in MAXQDA requires a valid MAXQDA or Analytics Pro license. TeamCloud provides a protected cloud workspace with 25GB storage for one team lead and up to four team members per license. The desktop product runs on Windows and Mac with the same interface and functions on both. A 14-day free trial is available for either system. The page does not expose prices for MAXQDA licenses or Analytics Pro; AI Assist has Free and Premium options, with limited capacity.
QualCoder
QualCoder is free, open-source software for qualitative data analysis on Linux, macOS and Windows. It supports coding text, images, audio and video, organizing codes in hierarchies, and keeping journals and memos alongside analysis. Users can generate reports, most of which can be exported as HTML, ODT, plain text or Excel. Projects and codebooks can be exported using the REFI-QDA standard, while codebooks can be imported from plain text or CSV files. Coding data is stored in a SQLite database in the project's data folder. QualCoder is intended for one person at a time; simultaneous access to a project can corrupt its database. VLC is optional for general use but required for audio or video coding. Optional AI features support topic exploration, assisted coding, text analysis and code chats. AI is off by default, and supported providers include cloud services and local models such as Ollama. Provider API access is pay-per-use and may incur charges for each request.