SmartPLS 4 vs EQS
Faster, Friendlier, Future‑Ready
Overview
EQS has a strong established in SEM. SmartPLS 4 modernizes the experience with interactive modeling, streamlined diagnostics, and both CB‑SEM & PLS‑SEM in a single environment.
Why Institutions Choose SmartPLS
SmartPLS’s interactive, modern interface shortens time-to-competency and simplifies lab support compared to menu/syntax mixes.
A single platform covering CB-SEM and PLS-SEM with journal-ready outputs streamlines curricula and thesis production.
A single platform covering CB-SEM and PLS-SEM with journal-ready outputs streamlines curricula and thesis production.
Key Differences
| Feature | SmartPLS 4 | Eqs |
|---|---|---|
| Method Coverage | CB-SEM and PLS-SEM (incl. PROCESS, GSCA, Regression, NCA) | CB-SEM |
| Interface | GUI based | GUI based |
| Usability | Modern GUI. Drag-and-drop modeling. | Older-style menus/syntax |
| Learning Curve | Low | Moderate |
| Platform & OS Support | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Licensing Model | Commercial license (academic/site options) | Commercial |
Sources (short)
- SmartPLS: https://www.smartpls.com
- Eqs: https://www.mvsoft.com
Note on comparability and sources
This comparison reflects SmartPLS 4.1.1.5 versus EQS 6.4 (current), as of 11 Oct 2025. The information is based on publicly available vendor/user documentation, release notes, and hands‑on use. Please include concrete version numbers and this as‑of date when citing. Product and brand names belong to their respective owners and are used for identification only.
