R
R · Vienna, Austria · founded 1990
What it is
R is a free software environment for statistical computing, with support for graphics, statistical tests, regression models, and scripting. It runs on Windows and macOS, as well as a wide variety of UNIX platforms. For analysis workflows, it can import text, XML, spreadsheet-like, Excel, SPSS, SAS, and Stata files, plus data from databases, binary files, and image files. Downloads are available through preferred CRAN mirrors, and the project’s FAQs cover installation and license terms. Its online resources include documentation, manuals, journals, books, certification links, mailing lists, and developer pages. The listed current release is R 4.6.1, named Happy Hop, released on June 24, 2026; version 4.5.3 is identified as a wrap-up release. R was founded in 1990, and its maker is listed as R, headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Questions about the software are directed to the Getting Help section.
For and against
For
- Free software environment.
- Includes statistical tests, regression models, and scripting.
- Imports many file types and database data.
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and UNIX.
Against
- Desktop platforms listed are macOS and Windows.
- Installation help is provided through FAQs.
The verdict
R brings statistical computing, graphics, and scripting together in a free environment. Its import support and multi-platform availability are useful considerations for choosing a tool for analysis work.
Who it suits
R suits people who need a free environment for statistical computing, graphics, tests, regression modeling, or scripting. Its broad data import options may fit workflows that use multiple file formats or databases.
Plans and prices
R
Read 27 Sep 2026 · r-project.org
On the record
- Community Resources
- The site lists mailing lists, contributing, developer pages, and related project links.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- R Conference
- The useR! 2026 conference took place in Warsaw from July 7-9.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Current Version
- R version 4.6.1, named Happy Hop, was released on 2026-06-24.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Data import formats
- text files, XML, spreadsheet-like files, Excel, SPSS, SAS, Stata, databases, binary files, image filesr-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- desktopr-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Documentation Resources
- The site provides documentation, manuals, FAQs, journals, books, and certification links.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Download Source
- R downloads are provided through preferred CRAN mirrors.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Foundation Donations
- The Kalibera Family Fund accepts donations until the end of 2026.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Foundation Support
- Users can support the R Foundation through a renewable supporting-member subscription.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Free Software
- R is provided as a free software environment.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Graphics Support
- R supports graphics as part of its environment.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Installation Help
- FAQs cover how to download and install R.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- License Help
- FAQs provide information about R license terms.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- MacOS Support
- R runs on MacOS.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Previous Version
- R version 4.5.3, named Reassured Reassurer, was a wrap-up release.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Regression models
- Yesr-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Scripting support
- Yesr-project.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Social Channels
- The R Foundation is present on BlueSky, Mastodon, and LinkedIn.r-project.org · read 27 Sep 2026
