Choosing a qualitative data analysis (QDA) software package can be intimidating! While all QDA software has the same basic functionality, they are not all equal. When it comes to the cost of the software licenses, the time needed to learn the software, getting help when you run into trouble, and how well they handle the specific types of data and methods you use there can be significant differences. This guide will compare and contrast four popular programs; NVivo, MaxQDA, Atlas.ti, and Dedoose. While there is no “right” QDA program, this guide will help you confidently select the program that is right for you.
All of these programs have free trial versions available for you to give it a test run before you buy.
Please note: MERIT hosts this information (created by a former staff member). MERIT no longer has the staff expertise to support questions related to qualitative research tools. We encourage you to reach out to the Social Science Computing Cooperative (SSCC) for additional assistance. SSCC provides tools and advice to researchers who use statistical analysis in their work. SoE currently funds SSCC accounts at no cost to SoE departments.
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For more comprehensive information on these packages and others, please see Choosing an appropriate CAQDAS package from the Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Networking Project at the University of Surrey.
Additional Considerations:
- QDA software does not actually perform the analysis of your data!! It is a tool to facilitate your analysis by helping you organize, annotate, and search your data. Regardless of what software package you choose, you, the researcher, are the primary tool of analysis!
- As, if not more, important as to what software you choose is how you will use it. Using your chosen program on a big screen is good, multiple screens are better! With more screen real estate, the more of your project you’ll be able to see at one time. Having room to view your coding structure, documents, additional literature, and have space for memoing and reflection without needing to switch around between windows will streamline your analysis process.
- When at all possible, pick the program you like the most. Sometimes the selection process is as easy as that! You’re going to spend a lot of time with the software, your happiness matters.