Tool profile
QDA Miner: cost, fit and limits
QDA Miner is a qualitative and mixed methods analysis program made by Provalis Research of Montreal that codes text, images and recordings and links to the WordStat text mining and SimStat statistics modules. Researchers and analysts use it for coding, retrieval, mapping and statistical analysis of qualitative data.
What to know first
QDA Miner is the deepest tool here for combining coding with text mining and statistics, and the least explicit about its AI. The product page says it has been powered by AI since 2007 and now offers offline transcription and generative AI document analysis, but it names no model and gives no data terms. A 14-day trial and a freeware Lite version exist, with purchase handled on a separate page.
QDA Miner at a glance
| Maker | Provalis Research, Canada |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Free trial only |
| Entry price | Quote only |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Qualitative Data Analysis Software in 2026, rank 9 of 10 |
| Website | provalisresearch.com |
Who QDA Miner is best for
Mixed-methods analysts
Coded segments can be analyzed with word clouds, clustering, multidimensional scaling and correspondence analysis, and the program links to WordStat for text mining and SimStat for statistics.
Teams that audit coding
A command log records project activity, a coding merge feature combines coders' work and an inter-rater agreement module supports reliability checks.
Analysts with location data
Place names and IP addresses can be geocoded and shown on point, distribution and heat maps, with timelines for time-based data.
Researchers with data in many formats
Import covers Word, Excel, HTML, XML, SPSS, Stata, NVivo, PDFs, images, audio and video, and the program connects to social media, email, survey tools, LexisNexis and Factiva.
QDA Miner plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| QDA Miner Lite | Free | A freeware version mentioned on the product page, with the feature differences from the full program not stated on the page read. |
| Trial | 14 days, free | The product page offers a 14-day free trial of the full program, with the order page handling purchase. |
| Full license | Not shown on the product page | The commercial program with AI-assisted coding, offline transcription, text search tools, visualization, teamwork and reporting. Prices are on a separate order page not read. |
Checked November 2026.
What QDA Miner does
- AI-assisted coding
- The tool suggests relevant code relationships and explains why a text segment may fit a code, so the user validates each decision instead of accepting a bulk result.
- Offline transcription
- Recordings can be turned into transcripts without leaving the machine, per the product page, which suits interviews where participants did not consent to cloud processing.
- Seven search tools
- More than seven text search tools include keyword, section and query-by-example search, plus cluster extraction. Coded segments can be pulled by code, code pattern or co-occurrence.
- Quotation matrices and mapping
- Analysis outputs include quotation matrices and GIS maps, and a Report Manager stores tables, graphs and quotes so results can be assembled into a report.
- Multiuser coding
- Multiuser settings, a coding merge feature and an inter-rater agreement module support several coders working on one study, with the command log tracking each change.
How QDA Miner handles your data
The QDA Miner product page says offline transcription and generative AI document analysis are available but does not name the model, say where generative analysis runs or state a retention policy. Offline transcription implies local processing for that step. Provalis Research is located at 2997 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Canada. The pages read did not cover certifications, hosting regions or whether customer content trains models, so the vendor's policy was not checked for these points. A buyer in a regulated field should request a written statement before using the generative features.
Where QDA Miner falls short in practice
- Operating systems unclear. The product page lists no supported systems and links to a macOS installation guide, which suggests a workaround rather than a native Mac build. Confirm Mac support before buying.
- AI claims lack detail. The page claims AI since 2007 and generative document analysis but names no model and gives no accuracy or privacy information, so it is hard to compare with MAXQDA or NVivo.
- Price and edition detail is off-page. No price appears on the product page, and the differences between the freeware Lite version and the full program are not described there. Ask the vendor for an edition comparison.
Works with
Alternatives to QDA Miner
QDA Miner: common questions
Is there a free version of QDA Miner?
The product page mentions a Lite freeware version and a 14-day free trial of the full program. It does not list which features Lite leaves out, so install the trial first to judge whether Lite is enough. Purchase runs through a separate order page.
What AI does QDA Miner offer?
The page says the product has been powered by AI since 2007 and now offers offline transcription and generative AI document analysis. AI-assisted coding suggests code relationships and explains why a segment may fit a code. The user validates each suggestion.
Can QDA Miner import NVivo projects?
The import list on the product page includes NVivo files, along with Word, Excel, HTML, XML, SPSS, Stata, PDFs, images and audio or video. The page does not say how much of the NVivo structure transfers. Check the result on one project first.
Does QDA Miner support teamwork?
Yes. The page lists multiuser settings, a coding merge feature, an inter-rater agreement module and a command log that tracks project activity, which together support several coders and an audit trail. Teams can then compare coders' work and merge it.
Where is Provalis Research based?
The contact page gives 2997 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The product page does not say where generative AI analysis is processed or which provider handles it, so ask about that separately and in writing when your recordings or transcripts are sensitive.