# Open Source Alternative to MATLAB

Open source alternatives · Data and dev

MATLAB licenses start around US$940 a year. GNU Octave runs your MATLAB code free; Python is the modern path.

**What the paid app costs:** From US$940/yr

## Why switch?

Students graduate and lose their campus MATLAB license; researchers hit toolbox paywalls. Octave runs the code you already wrote, and Python's NumPy/SciPy/Jupyter stack is what industry actually hires for now.

## Compare the alternatives

AlternativeLicensePlatformsBest for[GNU Octave](https://octave.org/)GPL-3.0Windows, macOS, LinuxFor running MATLAB code free[Python (NumPy/SciPy)](https://www.python.org/)PSF/BSD (open source)Windows, macOS, LinuxFor new projects and careers

### [GNU Octave](https://octave.org/)

Free forever GPL-3.0 · Windows, macOS, Linux

- Runs most MATLAB code as-is
- Same matrix syntax
- Free toolboxes included

**For running MATLAB code free**

[Official site →](https://octave.org/)

### [Python (NumPy/SciPy)](https://www.python.org/)

Free forever PSF/BSD (open source) · Windows, macOS, Linux

- NumPy and SciPy for numerics
- Jupyter notebooks
- The industry standard now

**For new projects and careers**

[Official site →](https://www.python.org/)

## Which one should you pick?

- **GNU Octave:** For running MATLAB code free
- **Python (NumPy/SciPy):** For new projects and careers

## Frequently asked questions

### Will my MATLAB scripts run in Octave?

Most will, unchanged. Some specialized toolboxes have no Octave equivalent.

### Should I learn Python instead?

For new work, yes. Python's scientific stack is free, vast, and the dominant skill in data jobs.

### Is Octave good for coursework?

Yes, it covers the linear algebra, plotting, and scripting that courses require.

## More open source alternatives

- [Tableau](/open-source-alternative-to-tableau/)
- [SPSS](/open-source-alternative-to-spss/)

[← All open source alternatives](/open-source-alternatives/)