<p>@Pburg mentions <a href="http://www.geogebra.org/" rel="nofollow">Geogebra</a> which is a great drawing tool with export in <a href="http://www.latex-project.org/" rel="nofollow">LaTex</a>. </p>

<p>Regarding graphs in LaTex, an alternative which I prefer to Geogebra is <a href="http://latexdraw.sourceforge.net/" rel="nofollow">Latexdraw</a>.</p>

<p>If you want to use LaTex for your thesis, a good editor might also help. I personally use <a href="http://texstudio.sourceforge.net/" rel="nofollow">Texstudio</a>. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T16:20:55.830Z
2016-02-20T22:01:30.017Z
2016-02-20T22:01:30.017Z
Martin Van der Linden
<p>Python is also something you could look at for econometric and/or data analysis in addition to R and Gretl mentioned above. Alternatively you could check out the Ox programming language. The Ox console is free to download for academic use. The Ox programming language is the basis for OxMetrics and it is relatively easy to use and extremely fast.  </p>

<p>For optimization etc. you can get Octave which is a free alternative to MATLAB. I haven't tried Octave so I cannot comment on its qualities but its free so it might be worth checking out. You can also use Octave to simulate economic models in.</p>

<p>For simulation of economic models I would recommend you to check out Dynare which is a module for simulating and estimating DSGE and OLG models. Note that in order to use Dynare you'll need to have MATLAB or Octave installed on you computer (Octave is free!). I have used Dynare with MATLAB and it is really easy and intuitive to use.</p>

<p>For typesetting you should check out LaTex or the "easier-to-start-to-use" alternative Lyx. In case you want a "Word" type enviroment instead you should check out Open Office. Open Office also has a spreadsheet á la Excel. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-04T10:32:23.293Z
I just have to add - my university uses OX and it is has a very steep learning curve and a small audience. It has some basic point and click features that are okay, but if you want to do anything other than point and click it is hard.
Thorst
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T19:31:59.150Z
2014-12-03T19:31:59.150Z
Plissken
<p>If you feel LaTex is too much you can download a free math extension for word that's easy to use. 
<a href="http://www.eduap.com/wordmat/" rel="nofollow">http://www.eduap.com/wordmat/</a></p>

<p>(I would recommend LaTex, but starting using LaTex, R and writing a thesis can be a bit much at the same time) </p>

<p>Also, atop of R - get <a href="http://www.rstudio.com/" rel="nofollow">R-Studio</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-19T10:01:15.693Z
And R Markdown! https://rmarkdown.rstudio.com/
Jan Höffler
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-18T18:50:28.830Z
Luckily for me, I'm double-majoring with Math as my second major, so LaTeX is no problem!
luna_moth
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-04T10:24:36.970Z
2014-12-04T10:24:36.970Z
Thorst
<p>There's a difference between <em>"free software"</em> and <em>"free software for students studying economics"</em>. For example, when I was studying economics at University, the University provided (free) access to software such as Maple, MATLAB, Datastream, and Stata, to mention just a few. </p>

<p>These software packages are not <em>free</em>, but to economics students at many Universities, there is <em>free access</em> to all of this software making it free, effectively (to the economics student).</p>

<p>As a result, I'd recommend that economics students consult with their instructors to find out what software is being made available to them. The University doesn't pay the licence fees just for kicks.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-02-21T14:16:10.673Z
2016-02-21T14:16:10.673Z
Graeme Walsh
<p>I never understood why discussion about specialized software should be off-topic in the specialty's website. And of course I don't agree. So:</p>

<p>Before diving into <a href="http://www.r-project.org/"><strong>R</strong></a>, which indeed appears to be the dominant (and rich) freeware for statistical computing, one can try <a href="http://gretl.sourceforge.net/"><strong>Gretl</strong></a>. It is an Econometrics freeware, with a lot of functionality, a very good Random Number Generator, and has both menu-driven implementation but also code-writing by the user. It is easier for beginners - but it is serious stuff. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gretl">wikipedia page</a> for Gretl lists some reviews about Gretl.  </p>

<p>The other kind of "economics" (not mathematics) software apart from econometrics packages would be specialized simulation software, for say Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Models, or micro-applications.  For DSGE, one such is <a href="http://www.dynare.org/"><strong>Dynare</strong></a>.  A lot of DSGE-code for various other software can be found at <a href="http://www.dsge.net/">International Network for DSGE Modeling, Monetary and Fiscal Policy</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-28T14:16:17.357Z
Dynare.runs on top of Matlab which is commercial software. It also runs, with a degraded performance, on Octave, an open source alternative to Matlab.
BKay
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-11-19T09:58:35.033Z
Some programming languages that are open source are becoming more popular in economics, e.g. python (cf. http://pyecon.org ) and julia. See also https://economics.stackexchange.com/questions/5853/most-common-programs-used-by-economists/10534#10534
Jan Höffler
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T21:56:50.027Z
Dynare, among others.
Deer Hunter
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T22:10:43.263Z
@DeerHunter Thanks, I added it in the body with link.
Alecos Papadopoulos
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T22:13:11.580Z
we should make this post meta and add links to IDEAS as well.
Deer Hunter
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-04T11:18:44.533Z
I agree that discussions about software are on topic. But for a list of responses to be useful I think there is need for more focus (e.g.: "What are good open source software tools *for microeconometrics*?")
Ubiquitous
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T15:50:13.097Z
2014-12-03T22:10:10.140Z
2014-12-03T22:10:10.140Z
Alecos Papadopoulos
<p>Can anyone recommend some free software for students studying economics for use in senior projects, theses, or dissertations?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T14:28:28.843Z
Could you specify what you mean by "economics software"? Do you mean software for econometric analysis, symbolic mathematics, etc.? In other words, what exactly do you need the software to do?
Ubiquitous
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T14:28:51.247Z
Also, why is it important that the software be for students, and not for economists more generally?
Ubiquitous
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T14:50:07.687Z
The question is too broad and off-topic for most SE sites. Please note there is a Software Recommendations SE. Please also note that of late, the R statistical system is finding wide use, and is free.
Deer Hunter
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-03T15:54:53.273Z
code:julia, R, octave
pictures: geogebra
Pburg
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-05T23:18:30.527Z
One thing to keep in mind is that your senior project/thesis will be hard enough as it is--trying to also teach yourself a new programming language at the same time will probably be overly burdensome. Your best bet is probably just to ask your thesis advisor what s/he recommends.
Steve S
<software>
What kind of economic freeware exists for economics students?
luna_moth
# What kind of economic freeware exists for economics students?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-12-03)

Can anyone recommend some free software for students studying economics for use in senior projects, theses, or dissertations?

**Tags:** software

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you specify what you mean by "economics software"? Do you mean software for econometric analysis, symbolic mathematics, etc.? In other words, what exactly do you need the software to do?  
> **username_1**: Also, why is it important that the software be for students, and not for economists more generally?  
> **username_2**: The question is too broad and off-topic for most SE sites. Please note there is a Software Recommendations SE. Please also note that of late, the R statistical system is finding wide use, and is free.  
> **username_3**: code:julia, R, octave pictures: geogebra  
> **username_4**: One thing to keep in mind is that your senior project/thesis will be hard enough as it is--trying to also teach yourself a new programming language at the same time will probably be overly burdensome. Your best bet is probably just to ask your thesis advisor what s/he recommends.  

---

## 5 answers

### Answer by username_10 on 2014-12-03. Score: 11 | Accepted answer

I never understood why discussion about specialized software should be off-topic in the specialty's website. And of course I don't agree. So:

Before diving into [**R**](http://www.r-project.org/), which indeed appears to be the dominant (and rich) freeware for statistical computing, one can try [**Gretl**](http://gretl.sourceforge.net/). It is an Econometrics freeware, with a lot of functionality, a very good Random Number Generator, and has both menu-driven implementation but also code-writing by the user. It is easier for beginners - but it is serious stuff. The [wikipedia page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gretl) for Gretl lists some reviews about Gretl.

The other kind of "economics" (not mathematics) software apart from econometrics packages would be specialized simulation software, for say Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Models, or micro-applications. For DSGE, one such is [**Dynare**](http://www.dynare.org/). A lot of DSGE-code for various other software can be found at [International Network for DSGE Modeling, Monetary and Fiscal Policy](http://www.dsge.net/).

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Dynare, among others.  
> **username_10**: @DeerHunter Thanks, I added it in the body with link.  
> **username_2**: we should make this post meta and add links to IDEAS as well.  
> **username_1**: I agree that discussions about software are on topic. But for a list of responses to be useful I think there is need for more focus (e.g.: "What are good open source software tools *for microeconometrics*?")  
> **username_11**: Dynare.runs on top of Matlab which is commercial software. It also runs, with a degraded performance, on Octave, an open source alternative to Matlab.  
> **username_8**: Some programming languages that are open source are becoming more popular in economics, e.g. python (cf. http://pyecon.org ) and julia. See also https://economics.stackexchange.com/questions/5853/most-common-programs-used-by-economists/10534#10534  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2014-12-03. Score: 7

@username_3 mentions [Geogebra](http://www.geogebra.org/) which is a great drawing tool with export in [LaTex](http://www.latex-project.org/).

Regarding graphs in LaTex, an alternative which I prefer to Geogebra is [Latexdraw](http://latexdraw.sourceforge.net/).

If you want to use LaTex for your thesis, a good editor might also help. I personally use [Texstudio](http://texstudio.sourceforge.net/).


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2014-12-03. Score: 6

Python is also something you could look at for econometric and/or data analysis in addition to R and Gretl mentioned above. Alternatively you could check out the Ox programming language. The Ox console is free to download for academic use. The Ox programming language is the basis for OxMetrics and it is relatively easy to use and extremely fast.

For optimization etc. you can get Octave which is a free alternative to MATLAB. I haven't tried Octave so I cannot comment on its qualities but its free so it might be worth checking out. You can also use Octave to simulate economic models in.

For simulation of economic models I would recommend you to check out Dynare which is a module for simulating and estimating DSGE and OLG models. Note that in order to use Dynare you'll need to have MATLAB or Octave installed on you computer (Octave is free!). I have used Dynare with MATLAB and it is really easy and intuitive to use.

For typesetting you should check out LaTex or the "easier-to-start-to-use" alternative Lyx. In case you want a "Word" type enviroment instead you should check out Open Office. Open Office also has a spreadsheet á la Excel.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: I just have to add - my university uses OX and it is has a very steep learning curve and a small audience. It has some basic point and click features that are okay, but if you want to do anything other than point and click it is hard.  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2014-12-04. Score: 3

If you feel LaTex is too much you can download a free math extension for word that's easy to use.
<http://www.eduap.com/wordmat/>

(I would recommend LaTex, but starting using LaTex, R and writing a thesis can be a bit much at the same time)

Also, atop of R - get [R-Studio](http://www.rstudio.com/)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Luckily for me, I'm double-majoring with Math as my second major, so LaTeX is no problem!  
> **username_8**: And R Markdown! https://rmarkdown.rstudio.com/  

---

### Answer by username_9 on 2016-02-21. Score: 1

There's a difference between *"free software"* and *"free software for students studying economics"*. For example, when I was studying economics at University, the University provided (free) access to software such as Maple, MATLAB, Datastream, and Stata, to mention just a few.

These software packages are not *free*, but to economics students at many Universities, there is *free access* to all of this software making it free, effectively (to the economics student).

As a result, I'd recommend that economics students consult with their instructors to find out what software is being made available to them. The University doesn't pay the licence fees just for kicks.


---

