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IBM SPSS Statistics pros and cons

Vendor: IBM

4.1 out of 5

40 reviews
89% willing to recommend

Pros & Cons summary

IBM SPSS Statistics offers ease of use and comprehensive statistical analysis with robust capabilities like machine learning and regression. Ideal for handling large datasets, the software supports analyses such as ANOVA. Although highly regarded for its experienced base, challenges include limited data visualization, documentation, Big Data handling, and advanced modeling support. It lacks predictive analytics features, making it less competitive in AI-driven automation.

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

IBM SPSS Statistics offers ease of use for users with minimal programming experience, allowing for comprehensive statistical analysis.

It provides robust analytical capabilities, including machine learning, regression, descriptive statistics, and factor analysis.

IBM SPSS Statistics' ability to handle large datasets is akin to heavy artillery in analytical tools, making it invaluable for extensive analytic tasks.

The software offers rich functionality and supports a variety of analyses like ANOVA and geographic analysis for improved research consistency.

IBM SPSS Statistics is highly valued for its long-standing presence and experienced resource base, making it a preferred choice over other software.

CONS

IBM SPSS Statistics has limitations in data visualization, making it challenging to create effective graphical outputs compared to some competitors like Minitab.

Documentation for features like macros and programming functions is insufficient, leaving beginners struggling to understand and use the software effectively.

The software's ability to handle Big Data is lacking, often slowing down when processing large datasets without adequate computational power.

There is limited support for advanced statistical modeling and the need for more detailed, explanatory reports alongside simple outcomes.

IBM SPSS Statistics lacks features for predictive analysis using artificial intelligence, making it less competitive in terms of advanced analytics and automation.

IBM SPSS Statistics Pros review quotes

RK

Modeling Analyst, Advanced Analytics - Decision Management at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

Oct 3, 2017

in terms of the simplicity, I think the SPSS basic can handle it.

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Senior Research Analyst at a university

Oct 18, 2017

Custom tables and macros: They allow us to create useful reports quickly for a broad audience.

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Manager of Data Analytics

Dec 12, 2017

It has helped our analyst unit deliver work with more transparency and confidence, given that we can always view the dataset in totality, after each step of data transformation.

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IBM SPSS Statistics

Free Report: IBM SPSS Statistics Reviews and More

Learn what your peers think about IBM SPSS Statistics. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.

880,685 professionals have used our research since 2012.

AM

Senior Statistical Consultant at a financial services firm with 501-1,000 employees

Nov 13, 2019

Most of the product features are good but I particularly like the linear regression analysis.

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Lead Consultant at Caligo

Nov 17, 2019

Some of the most valuable features that we are using with some business models are machine learning algorithms, statistical models given to us by the business, and getting data from the database or text files.

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Solution Consulting, Growth, Analytics at Akinon

Dec 5, 2019

The best part is that they have an algorithm handbook, so you can open it up and understand how it works, and if it is useful, this is very important.

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CEO & Owner at a tech services company

Dec 11, 2019

You can find a complete algorithm in the solution and use it. You don't need to write your own algorithms for predictive analytics. That's the most valuable feature and the main one we use.

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PA

Business Process Improvement at Modi Enterprises Private Limited

May 15, 2020

The solution is very comprehensive, especially compared to Minitabs, which is considered more for manufacturing. However, whatever data you want to analyze can be handled with SPSS.

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YH

Founder at pt. sma

Dec 19, 2019

They have many existing algorithms that we can use and use effectively to analyze and understand how to put our data to work to improve what we do.

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HR

CEO at Avina

Dec 30, 2019

It has the ability to easily change any variable in our research.

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IBM SPSS Statistics Cons review quotes

RK

Modeling Analyst, Advanced Analytics - Decision Management at a consultancy with 10,001+ employees

Oct 3, 2017

Perhaps in terms of visualization. It's not really easy to do some data visualization, just simple, descriptive analysis in SPSS. I think that could be an area for improvement.

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Senior Research Analyst at a university

Oct 18, 2017

Better documentation on how to use macros.

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Manager of Data Analytics

Dec 12, 2017

Needs more statistical modelling functions.

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IBM SPSS Statistics

Free Report: IBM SPSS Statistics Reviews and More

Learn what your peers think about IBM SPSS Statistics. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.

880,685 professionals have used our research since 2012.

AM

Senior Statistical Consultant at a financial services firm with 501-1,000 employees

Nov 13, 2019

I think the visualization and charting should be changed and made easier and more effective.

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Lead Consultant at Caligo

Nov 17, 2019

Technical support needs some improvement, as they do not respond as quickly as we would like.

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Solution Consulting, Growth, Analytics at Akinon

Dec 5, 2019

The statistics should be more self-explanatory with detailed automated reports.

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CEO & Owner at a tech services company

Dec 11, 2019

Each algorithm could be more adaptable to some industry-specific areas, or, in some cases, adapted for maintenance.

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PA

Business Process Improvement at Modi Enterprises Private Limited

May 15, 2020

One of the areas that should be similar to Minitabs is the use of blogs. The Minitabs blog helps users understand the tools and gives lots of practical examples. Following the SPSS manual is cumbersome. It's a good, exhaustive manual, but it's not practical to use. With Minitabs, you can go to the blogs and find specific articles written about various components and it's very helpful. Without blogs, we find SPSS more complicated.

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YH

Founder at pt. sma

Dec 19, 2019

The product should provide more ways to import data and export results that are user-friendly for high-level executives.

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HR

CEO at Avina

Dec 30, 2019

The design of the experience can be improved.

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Show 10 more reviews (out of 34)

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