The provision of free trial software represents a significant promotional offer within the professional and academic software market, allowing users to evaluate a product before committing to a purchase. This article details the specific free trial programme for PASS 2026, a statistical sample size software, based exclusively on the provided source material. The information outlines the terms of the trial, the process for obtaining it, the software's features and limitations, and the data handling policies associated with its use. The following guide is intended for UK-based professionals, researchers, and students who may require such tools for their work.
The free trial for PASS 2026 is designed as an evaluation tool. It is explicitly stated that the software is not to be used for actual research, study planning, or any other purpose, whether academic, commercial, governmental, or educational. The trial provides an opportunity to assess the software's capabilities, though with a specific restriction on alpha. Users who click the download button with a valid email address can begin downloading the PASS 2026 sample size software setup file. Upon doing so, they will receive an email containing a trial license key. This key allows for the evaluation of the software for a period of 30 days. A key feature of this programme is the seamless transition from trial to full product; if a user chooses to purchase the software, the received license key can be used to convert the trial version into the fully-functional version without the need to reinstall the software.
Eligibility and Process for Accessing the Free Trial
The process for obtaining the PASS 2026 free trial is straightforward and digital. The primary requirement is the provision of a valid email address. There is no indication of any geographic restriction, such as UK-only eligibility, within the provided source material. The trial is accessed by navigating to the download page and submitting the required information. Once the download is initiated and the email address is confirmed, the user receives the license key via email. This key is the mechanism that activates the 30-day evaluation period. The source material does not specify any other eligibility criteria, such as affiliation with a specific institution or profession. It is important to note that the trial is for evaluation purposes only and should not be used for generating data for actual research projects.
The download is a setup file for the software. The system requirements are clearly defined: PASS 2026 is compatible with Windows only. For users operating on other systems, such as a Mac, a Windows emulator (e.g., Parallels) is required to run the software. The source material provides a link for a complete list of system requirements and further information for Mac users, though the specific URL is not provided in the chunks. For users experiencing difficulties with the download, the source material advises contacting the provider directly for assistance.
Software Features and Capabilities
PASS software is described as a leading choice for sample size calculation in clinical trial, pharmaceutical, and other medical research contexts. It has been developed and fine-tuned over a period of more than 20 years. A key claim is that PASS provides sample size tools for over 740 statistical test and confidence interval scenarios, which is noted as more than double the capability of any other sample size software. Each tool within the software is validated using published articles and/or texts, and the software includes integrated documentation. Additionally, PhD statistician support is available.
The software's features are extensive and cover a wide range of statistical analyses. According to the source material, these include: - Association Discovery - Multivariate Analysis - Statistical Process Control - Survival Analysis - Forecasting - Regression Analysis - Statistical Simulation - Time Series
Specific procedures and tools within PASS are regularly updated. For the 2026 version, over 55 new sample size procedures have been added. Examples of new and updated procedures include those for logistic regression (specifically tests for the odds ratio with various types of independent variables), repeated measures, group-sequential tests for hazard rates, means, and proportions, GEE tests for means, proportions, and Poisson rates in cluster-randomized designs, and post-marketing surveillance for Poisson rates. Other updates concern randomization lists, conditional power and sample size re-estimation, one-way ANOVA, and simplified simulation procedures for various tests. The source material also notes that for the 11 new group-sequential sample size procedures in PASS, corresponding analysis and re-estimation procedures exist in NCSS.
Data Privacy and Usage Policies
A significant aspect of the PASS free trial programme is its data handling policy. The source material explicitly states that PASS 2026 will never collect nor transmit any data or settings input into the software, any data related to intermediate calculations, or any output data or results generated by the software. This is a critical privacy consideration for researchers and professionals handling sensitive or proprietary information.
However, the software does report the types and frequency of the procedures and tools being used. This aggregated, non-identifiable data is used to understand which features are most popular and to identify potential improvements for future versions. Users should be aware of this reporting function, even though it does not involve their specific data or results.
Furthermore, by signing up for the free trial, users agree to receive periodic emails with product information and tutorials. The source material confirms that users can unsubscribe from these communications at any time and that the provided email address will never be sold or given to a third party. This policy is a standard and important assurance for users concerned about marketing communications and data privacy.
Limitations and Considerations for UK Users
While the free trial offers a substantial evaluation period, there are several limitations and considerations based on the provided information. The most notable limitation is the restriction on alpha, though the exact nature of this restriction is not detailed in the source material. Users must rely on the trial for evaluation purposes only and not for actual research. This is a contractual term of the free trial offer.
The software's compatibility is another key consideration. As it is only natively compatible with Windows, UK researchers using Mac or Linux systems must factor in the additional step and potential cost of using a Windows emulator. The source material does not provide information on the cost or performance implications of using an emulator.
The 30-day trial period is standard for professional software, but users should plan their evaluation accordingly. The source material does not indicate if an extension of the trial period is possible or if there is a limit on the number of times an individual can access a free trial.
From a UK consumer perspective, it is important to note that the provided source material does not specify any UK-specific terms, pricing in GBP, or availability through UK-based distributors. The information is general and appears to be applicable to an international audience, but users should verify any local terms or support when proceeding with a purchase after the trial.
Conclusion
The PASS 2026 free trial is a structured, time-limited promotional offer that allows professionals and students to evaluate a comprehensive sample size software package. The process is simple, requiring only an email address for download and license key issuance. The software itself is feature-rich, with extensive capabilities for statistical analysis and sample size calculation, particularly in medical and clinical research contexts. A strong point in its favour is the clear data privacy policy, which ensures that user-generated data and results are not collected or transmitted. However, users must adhere to the evaluation-only terms, be aware of the Windows-only compatibility, and consider the 30-day limit. For UK-based consumers, the lack of specific localised information in the source material means that any potential purchase would require further investigation into UK pricing, support, and terms of service.