NCSS Statistical Software
NCSS Statistical Software, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Kaysville, Utah, has established itself as a reliable provider of statistical analysis and sample size calculation tools.
Profile
Provides desktop software for statistical analysis and clinical trial sample size calculations.
NCSS Statistical Software, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Kaysville, Utah, has established itself as a reliable provider of statistical analysis and sample size calculation tools. The company operates with a lean team, focusing on two core products: NCSS for statistical analysis and PASS for sample size determination. Unlike many SaaS companies, NCSS follows a traditional software licensing model with perpetual and annual subscription options, priced competitively at roughly half the cost of major competitors like SAS and SPSS.
Their customer base spans academic researchers, medical trial planners, and quality control professionals across industries. Financial disclosures are private, but pricing sheets show commercial licenses at $1,295 for NCSS and $1,995 for PASS, with academic discounts available. The 2026 release focused on UI modernization rather than statistical method additions, suggesting a maturity in their core algorithms.
Support is a differentiator—all customers get direct access to PhD statisticians during business hours. While not a disruptor, NCSS has maintained steady adoption in niche research communities, with over 1,200 citation-validated statistical procedures in their documentation.
Who buys this
- Academic researchers and university statistics departments
- Pharmaceutical and medical device companies running clinical trials
- Government agencies and public health researchers
- Quality control engineers in manufacturing
- Business analysts in market research
Strengths and what to watch
Strengths
- PASS covers 1,200+ sample size scenarios—more than any competitor in clinical trial design
- All customers receive direct support from PhD statisticians, uncommon at their price point
- Perpetual license option avoids SaaS subscription lock-in for budget-conscious buyers
Watch for
- Desktop software model faces pressure from cloud-based competitors like Statsig and JMP Live
- UI modernization in 2026 suggests catching up rather than innovating—no major algorithm updates noted
- Heavy academic reliance risks exposure to shrinking university research budgets
Key Information
- Founded
- 1981
- Headquarters
- Kaysville, Utah
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NCSS Statistical Software used for?
NCSS provides desktop software for statistical analysis and clinical trial sample size calculations. Their two main products are NCSS for general statistical analysis and PASS for sample size determination, widely used in academia, medical research, and quality control. Founded in 1981, it offers 1,200+ validated statistical procedures.
How much does NCSS software cost compared to SAS?
NCSS is priced at roughly half the cost of major competitors like SAS. Commercial licenses are $1,295 for NCSS and $1,995 for PASS, with academic discounts available. Unlike SaaS models, NCSS offers perpetual licenses, avoiding subscription lock-in for budget-conscious researchers and organizations.
What makes NCSS different from other statistical software?
NCSS differentiates with direct access to PhD statisticians for all customers during business hours. PASS software covers 1,200+ sample size scenarios—more than competitors in clinical trial design. Their desktop model with perpetual licensing appeals to users avoiding cloud subscriptions, though this faces pressure from web-based alternatives.
Who typically uses NCSS statistical tools?
Primary users include academic researchers, pharmaceutical companies running clinical trials, and quality control engineers. Government health researchers and business analysts also use NCSS. The software is cited in niche research communities, with strength in medical device studies and manufacturing quality assurance applications requiring rigorous statistical validation.
Does NCSS offer cloud-based statistical analysis?
No, NCSS follows a traditional desktop software model with no cloud version. The 2026 update focused on UI modernization rather than web enablement. This contrasts with competitors like Statsig and JMP Live, though NCSS maintains users who prefer offline access and perpetual licensing over SaaS subscriptions.
How does NCSS support its users?
All NCSS customers receive direct support from PhD statisticians during business hours—a rare feature at their price point. Support covers both technical issues and statistical methodology questions. Documentation includes 1,200+ citation-validated procedures, particularly strong in clinical trial design scenarios through the PASS product.
Sources
- www.ncss.com — Pricing model and license types
- www.ncss.com — 2026 release focused on UI updates
- www.ncss.com — PhD statistician support and licensing details
- www.ncss.com — PASS's 1,200+ sample size scenarios