MATLAB AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Programming Languages

The best Programming Language alternative to MATLAB is GNU Octave, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to MATLAB and ten of them are Programming Languages so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Programming Language alternatives to MATLAB are R (programming language), Julia, NumeRe and Calcpad.

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MATLAB alternatives are mainly Programming Languages, but if you're looking for Numerical Computation Software or Graphing Calculators you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Linux, Android, iPad, Free, Mac and Android + Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to MATLAB.
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Alternatives list

  1. GNU Octave icon

    GNU Octave

     220 likes

    Octave is a computer program for performing numerical computations which is mostly compatible with MATLAB . It is part of the GNU Project. It is free software under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

    66 GNU Octave alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    GNU Octave GUI screenshot
     
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    14
    155
    Comments about GNU Octave as an Alternative to MATLAB
    Top Positive Comment
    dataculi
    1

    Andy Ng's famous introductory ML course uses Octave! It's the perfect alternative to MATLAB

    LinuxDoge
    Positive
    0

    Linux Desktop integration is perfect. There is a flatpak available. Installing Matlab on Linux is a pain, even more if the license always vanishes. So far it looks good, and if it supports lots of commands, no way I use Matlab!

    Cristian
    Positive
    1

    it is often faster, as well as being free

    3 of 14 comments
    GNU Octave icon
    GNU Octave icon

    • Almost everyone thinks GNU Octave is a great MATLAB alternative.

    • GNU Octave is Free and Open SourceMATLAB is Paid and Proprietary
    • GNU Octave is LightweightMATLAB is not according to our users
  2. R (programming language) icon

    R (programming language)

     224 likes

    R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics. It is a GNU project which is similar to the S language and environment which was developed at Bell Laboratories (formerly AT&T, now Lucent Technologies) by John Chambers and colleagues. R can be consider.

    97 R (programming language) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    R (programming language) screenshot 1
     
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    2
    17
    Comments about R (programming language) as an Alternative to MATLAB
    LoGaIta99
    Negative
    0

    It's a good alternative only for statistics and data analysis.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Very different syntax, not very efficient for numerical computation outside the libraries available.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    R (programming language) icon
    R (programming language) icon

    • Most users think R (programming language) is a great MATLAB alternative.

    • R (programming language) is Free and Open SourceMATLAB is Paid and Proprietary
    • R (programming language) is Customizable and LightweightMATLAB is not according to our users
  4. Julia icon

    Julia

     67 likes

    Julia is a high-level, high-performance dynamic programming language for technical computing, with syntax that is familiar to users of other technical computing environments. It provides a sophisticated compiler, distributed parallel execution, numerical accuracy, and an...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Julia screenshot 1
     
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    1
    23
    Comments about Julia as an Alternative to MATLAB
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Similar sintax, REPL, plotting tools, julia is faster

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Julia icon
    Julia icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Julia is a great MATLAB alternative.

    • Julia is Free and Open SourceMATLAB is Paid and Proprietary
  5. NumeRe icon

    NumeRe

     4 likes

    Open source framework for numerical computations and advanced statistical analysis, featuring nonlinear curve fitting, ODE solving, 1D/2D publication-quality visualization, Fourier and wavelet transforms, intuitive syntax, and namespace-based code organization for research.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Default view of a session in NumeRe with an exemplary plot. The GUI is available in German and English
     
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    1
    Comments about NumeRe as an Alternative to MATLAB
    NumeRe.org
    Positive
    2

    MATLAB is very powerful but overwhelming if you try to achieve very simple tasks and it is quite costly at the same time. NumeRe focuses more on providing a simple interface for such tasks, so that you do not need to type too much code until you see the results. Furthermore, the code editor is far better than MATLAB's and the code is better structured. And the best thing: it is free for everybody.

    NumeRe icon
    NumeRe icon
    • NumeRe is Free and Open SourceMATLAB is Paid and Proprietary
    • NumeRe is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMATLAB is not according to our users
  6. Calcpad icon

    Calcpad

     10 likes

    Calcpad is a lightweight mathematical platform for cloud and desktop. It parses simple text scripts and converts them into professional Html reports. Supports complex numbers, variables, functions, graphing, units and numerical methods.

    45 Calcpad alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Design of RC column
     
  7. Altair Compose icon

    Altair Compose

     2 likes

    Altair Compose is used to perform a variety of math & linear algebra (including matrix analysis and differential equations), filter signals, fit polynomials through data, approximate or check results from simulation software, perform optimization.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Altair Compose screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Altair Compose as an Alternative to MATLAB
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Altair Compose is a software environment for doing calculations, manipulating and visualizing data (including from CAE simulations or test results), programming and debugging scripts useful for repeated computations and process automation. All capabilities are available in a single, multi-functional tool with a user-friendly Integrated Development Environment (IDE). No additional toolboxes required.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Altair Compose icon
    Altair Compose icon
    • Altair Compose is Free and ProprietaryMATLAB is Paid and Proprietary
  9. Euler Math Toolbox icon

    Euler Math Toolbox

     11 likes

    With Euler Math Toolbox, you experience mathematical computations, numerical as well as symbolic, with ease and beauty.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Euler Math Toolbox screenshot 1
     
  10. Doronix Math Toolbox icon

    Doronix Math Toolbox

     2 likes

    Doronix Math Toolbox is a numerical computing environment with programming language which can be used as alternative to MATLAB. It allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user functions, import and export CSV-files...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Doronix Math Toolbox screenshot 1
     
  11. Chapel icon

    Chapel

     Like

    Chapel is a programming language designed for productive parallel computing at scale.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    Chapel screenshot 1
     
  12. Forscape icon

    Forscape

     1 like

    Designed for scientific computation, this language and editor provides low-cost abstraction and safety checks, focusing on matrix operations with syntax parity to scientific papers. It offers math rendering, real-time dimension checks, and intuitive user experience.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Forscape screenshot 1
     
10 of 10 MATLAB alternatives