SPSS is clunky. R has a steep curve. SAS proc mixed (for hierarchical linear modeling) is the industry standard for education and psychology research. The OnDemand platform is free indefinitely for professors and students. You can write a dissertation using SAS without paying a cent.
However, it suffers from an identity problem. New coders find it "old." Old coders find it "reliable." If you are trying to break into legacy industries, this trial is your golden ticket. If you are building a flashy web app, stick to open source. sas software free trial
In the world of advanced analytics, SAS is the 800-pound gorilla. For decades, it has been the gold standard for industries where failure is not an option: banking, pharmaceuticals, government, and healthcare. SPSS is clunky