The latest version of SmartPLS supports covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM), which includes confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). This means you can fit covariance-based CFA in SmartPLS using maximum likelihood (ML) estimation in the same way as in other SEM programs such as AMOS, lavaan, or Mplus. See

Hair, J. F., Babin, B. J. Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., & Becker, J.-M. (2025): Covariance-based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM): A SmartPLS 4 Software Tutorial. Journal of Marketing Analytics, forthcoming.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057/s41270-025-00414-6.pdf

https://www.smartpls.com/documentation/algorithms-and-techniques/cbsem

Good luck with your modeling!

Yes, SmartPLS (version 4 and above) can be used as an alternative for Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Specifically, its covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) module supports CFA for validating the factor structure of observed variables and testing relationships between latent constructs . Below are key references supporting this claim:

Hair et al. (2025): Title: Covariance-based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM): A SmartPLS 4 Software Tutorial

Link: Article Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM): a Sm...

Relevance: This tutorial explicitly demonstrates SmartPLS's CFA capabilities within its CB-SEM module, including graphical model building and maximum likelihood estimation.

SmartPLS Documentation on CFA:

Link: https://smartpls.com/documentation/algorithms-and-techniques/cfa/

Relevance: Official documentation confirms SmartPLS's CFA functionality, with examples replicating textbook results (e.g., Kline, 2023; Byrne, 2016).

SmartPLS Sample Projects (CFA Examples):

Link: https://smartpls.com/documentation/sample-projects/cfa/

Relevance: Provides downloadable projects showcasing CFA implementations in SmartPLS, including comparisons with IBM SPSS Amos, LISREL, and other software.

Maybe the question if PLS-SEM can be used as an alternative to CB-SEM. The answer is no because both methods have different objectives. Researchers must choose the method that better fits their research objective. See Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

As it was mentioned in previous answers, the current version of SmartPLS supports both methods and other multivariate methods.