kitio.aiSAS Viya vs Simple ML for Sheets
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Simple ML for Sheets is completely free, while SAS Viya is free trial.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Data management
- Visual machine learning
- Visual Analytics reporting
- Forecasting and optimization
- Model deployment and governance
- SAS, Python and R support
- Predict missing values
- Spot abnormal values
- Forecasting
- Train and evaluate models
- Model export
| Feature | SAS Viya | Simple ML for Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cloud-native SAS platform for analytics, machine learning and AI | Google Sheets add-on for machine learning and forecasting |
| Category | Data & analytics | Data & analytics |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free |
| Starting price | See pricing page | Free |
| Free plan | No, trial available | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | SAS Institute | Google (TensorFlow Decision Forests team) |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Simple ML for Sheets is completely free, while SAS Viya is free trial.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
SAS Viya
- Mature, broad analytics toolset
- Strong model governance for regulated sectors
- Both visual and code-based workflows
- Quote-based and costly
- Heavy platform for small teams
- Steep learning curve
Simple ML for Sheets
- Free add-on from Google
- No coding or ML knowledge needed
- Data is not shared with third parties
- Works only in Google Sheets
- Limited to tabular data
- Not suited to large datasets
Which one should you choose?
Choose SAS Viya if you want:
- Mature, broad analytics toolset
- Strong model governance for regulated sectors
- Both visual and code-based workflows
Watch out: quote-based and costly.
Choose Simple ML for Sheets if you want:
- Free add-on from Google
- No coding or ML knowledge needed
- Data is not shared with third parties
Watch out: works only in google sheets.
SAS Viya vs Simple ML for Sheets FAQ
What is the difference between SAS Viya and Simple ML for Sheets?
SAS Viya: Cloud-native SAS platform for analytics, machine learning and AI. Simple ML for Sheets: Google Sheets add-on for machine learning and forecasting. Both are data & analytics tools.
Is SAS Viya or Simple ML for Sheets cheaper?
Simple ML for Sheets is completely free, while SAS Viya is free trial.
Do SAS Viya and Simple ML for Sheets have free plans?
SAS Viya: No, trial available. Simple ML for Sheets: Yes, fully free.
Who makes SAS Viya?
SAS Viya is made by SAS Institute, based in United States.
Who makes Simple ML for Sheets?
Simple ML for Sheets is made by Google (TensorFlow Decision Forests team), based in United States.
Which should I choose, SAS Viya or Simple ML for Sheets?
Choose SAS Viya if you value mature, broad analytics toolset and strong model governance for regulated sectors. Choose Simple ML for Sheets if you value free add-on from google and no coding or ml knowledge needed.