Matlab - Alternatives: The 3 best programs

With Matlab you can calculate and plot every complicated invoice. In addition to the well-known math tool, there are also numerous alternatives. We have put together the best for you.

The free Matlab alternative: GNU Octave

"GNU Octave" is freely available under the GPL license and is still a powerful tool if you need help with complicated calculations.

• "GNU Octave" uses its own script language, which is very similar to Matlab and therefore makes the change particularly easy.
• In addition, you can make the math program almost completely compatible with Matlab through free additional packages and add-ons. This way, the data you have already created will not be lost.
• Like Matlab, the tool focuses on solving numerical math problems.
• A graphical user interface has so far been missing in the standard installation. However, you can easily install them later.
• "GNU Octave" is available for Linux, Windows and Mac OS and costs no cent.

Wolfram Researchs Matlab alternative: Mathematica

Many Internet users are particularly familiar with Wolfram Research for the powerful Wolfram Alpha answer engine, which you can also use for numerous mathematical questions. The company also has a direct Matlab competitor in its luggage: "Mathematica".

• In its architecture, "Mathematica" combines various useful packages with which you can solve and present mathematical problems.
• This also includes its own programming language, which is closely related to Lisp.
• The professional software has been in existence for over 25 years and is constantly being developed. It is very popular in the scientific community and is also often used at universities.
• In "Mathematica" you can not only solve invoices, but also embed them directly in documents and surround them with plain text. For example, you can comment and explain your equations.
• The Wolfram database with numerous real-time data sets is also available at Mathematica.
• Mathematica is available for Linux, Windows and Mac OS and costs 130 euros as a desktop version for students. You can even get the tool for free at some universities.

Online Matlab alternative: Sage

Another free alternative to Matlab is "Sage". The versatile program is not only available as a desktop version. You can also use it conveniently in the browser.

• "Sage" has been developed as an open source project for ten years and combines freely accessible scientific sources into an excellent computer algebra system.
• You can use it as a graphical user interface or alternatively write scripts and programs. Advanced users can use "Sage" in many ways.
• The online platform of "Sage" is particularly useful as it lets you work with other users on your own projects. The tasks can be easily managed as a team and data can be exchanged with one another via the Internet.
• "Sage" is currently only available for Linux and Mac OS. Windows users can either use the other operating system via VirtualBox or switch to the universal online version. It works on all devices.

As soon as you have decided on a Matlab alternative, you can get started. To help you get started, we'll explain in the next article how to create 3D plots in Mathematica.