Slope stability analysis can be undertaken using a variety of methods and software packages. Each method makes different assumptions in order to solve the slope stability problem, and there is much debate over which method is the recommended method to use for certain situations. These methods assume either a non-circular or a circular plane of failure with vertical slices taken of the earth slope. Assumptions are then made related to the vertical, horizontal and applied moment that each of these slices encounters, to determine the critical point that defines when a slope will fail. This paper aims to examine the methods themselves to see how they compare to one another. Once this is complete, software programs that incorporate the methods studied will be tested against each other to determine the effectiveness of both the software, and the methods that are used by the software.