SageMath
Free open-source mathematics system that combines many maths libraries under one Python-based language.
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About SageMath
SageMath is a free, open-source mathematics software system aimed at being an alternative to Magma, Maple, Mathematica and MATLAB. Rather than writing everything from scratch, it brings together many established open-source packages, including NumPy, SciPy, matplotlib, SymPy, Maxima, GAP, FLINT and R, and lets you use them through one common Python-based language or through their own interfaces. That makes it strong for symbolic algebra, number theory, combinatorics and research mathematics, and it is widely used in universities. You can work in Jupyter notebooks, the command line, or online through SageMathCell and CoCalc without installing anything. Installing locally is easiest on Linux and macOS via binaries or conda-forge; Windows users run it through the Windows Subsystem for Linux. It is licensed under the GPL and free to use, funded by donations and sponsors. Expect a steeper learning curve than point-and-click calculators.
Best for: Students and researchers who want a free, programmable replacement for Mathematica or Maple.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free and GPL-licensed, with no paid tier
- Combines Maxima, SymPy, GAP, R and more behind one language
- Usable online through SageMathCell and CoCalc
- Python-based, so it fits existing scientific Python skills
Why people leave
- No native Windows build; needs the Windows Subsystem for Linux
- Large install with a steep learning curve
- Code-first, with no menu-driven interface for casual users
Top SageMath alternatives
See all 5- 1
wxMaxima66.5Lighter, menu-driven notebook for Maxima's symbolic algebra, with native Windows installers.
- 2
GeoGebra64.8Free CAS and graphing in the browser and on phones, much easier for school-level maths.
- 3
Symbolab59.4Step-by-step web solver for students who want worked solutions rather than a programming system.
- 4
Desmos57.5Free browser graphing calculator when you need quick plots rather than research-grade algebra.
- 5
Wolfram|Alpha52.6Ask maths questions in plain English online, with no setup or programming needed.
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SageMath: common questions
Is SageMath free?
Yes. SageMath is free, open-source software.
Is SageMath open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at sagemath/sage.
What platforms does SageMath run on?
SageMath is available for Linux, macOS, Windows and Web.
What are the best alternatives to SageMath?
The highest-ranked SageMath alternatives right now are wxMaxima, GeoGebra and Symbolab. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.