<p>In R, there are two main packages for estimating mixed effects models: <a href="https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/nlme/index.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">nlme</a> and <a href="https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/lme4/index.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">lme4</a>. They have certain differences. (<a href="http://glmm.wikidot.com/pkg-comparison" rel="nofollow noreferrer">There are also other packages.</a>)</p>

<ul>
<li><p>In 2010, we had a well-received question: <a href="https://stats.stackexchange.com/questions/5344/how-to-choose-nlme-or-lme4-r-library-for-mixed-effects-models">How to choose nlme or lme4 R library for mixed effects models?</a></p></li>
<li><p>In 2013, we had a follow-up question (<a href="https://stats.stackexchange.com/questions/64226/lme-and-lmer-comparison">lme and lmer comparison</a>), referring to the earlier question and noting that the answer might have changed in the intervening years. (The consensus appeared to be that the earlier answers were still valid.)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Now it's 2016, and I'd be interested in whether the situation is still as in 2010/2013. (Specifically, I'm most interested in panel data as per the <a href="https://stats.stackexchange.com/questions/64226/lme-and-lmer-comparison">2013 question</a>, but I'm also interested in any other changes in the differences between the packages.)</p>

<p>Should I just ask a new question, referring to the earlier ones? Or do something different?</p>
