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# GNU Octave vs Scilab Comparison - What are their main differences?

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GNU OctaveScilab[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**GNU Octave** [

4.2/5(55)

](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-octave/reviews#reviews)

**Scilab** [

4.5/5(64)

](https://www.g2.com/products/scilab/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**GNU Octave**
No pricing available

**Scilab**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**GNU Octave**
Not enough reviews yet

**Scilab**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**GNU Octave**
Not enough reviews yet

**Scilab**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**GNU Octave**
$$$$$

**Scilab**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**GNU Octave**
Not enough reviews yet

**Scilab**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**GNU Octave**
Not enough data

**Scilab**
Not enough data

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**GNU Octave**

8.3

8.343

**Scilab**

9.0

9.042

Ease of Use

**GNU Octave**

8.4

8.443

**Scilab**

8.8

8.842

Ease of Setup

**GNU Octave**
Not enough data

**Scilab**
Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**GNU Octave**
Not enough data

**Scilab**
Not enough data

Quality of Support

**GNU Octave**

8.2

8.239

**Scilab**

8.2

8.235

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**GNU Octave**
Not enough data

**Scilab**
Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**GNU Octave**

7.7

7.741

**Scilab**

8.8

8.840

Features

Statistical Analysis[Hide 54 FeaturesShow 54 Features](javascript:void(0);)

8.4

21

8.3

25

Administration

Quality Control

8.4(won by 0.2)

17

8.2

13

Data Sampling

8.2

20

8.9(won by 0.7)

14

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

Collaboration

8.0

18

8.5(won by 0.5)

14

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

Multiple Data Sources

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Data

Not enough data

Not enough data

Statistical Process Control

Not enough data

Not enough data

Capabilities

Data Visualization

8.9(won by 0.6)

20

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.3

22

Survival Analysis

8.0(tied score)

18

8.0(tied score)

17

Risk Data Attributes

8.1(tied score)

17

8.1(tied score)

15

Cost Analysis

8.5

16

8.7(won by 0.2)

15

Multivariate Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

What-if Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Statistical Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Bayesian Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Trend Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Regression Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Methodology

ANOVA Support

8.8(won by 0.7)

13

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.1

12

Regression

8.3(tied score)

19

8.3(tied score)

15

Time Series Analysis

8.3(tied score)

16

8.3(tied score)

18

Generative AI

AI Text Generation

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Text Summarization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

Additional Functionality

Compliance Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Reporting

Not enough data

Not enough data

Statistical Simulation

Not enough data

Not enough data

Forecasting

Not enough data

Not enough data

Neural Network Modeling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Visual Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Access Controls/Permissions

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Connectors

Not enough data

Not enough data

Customizable Reports

Not enough data

Not enough data

Drag & Drop

Not enough data

Not enough data

Self Service Data Preparation

Not enough data

Not enough data

Performance Metrics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Transformation

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Dashboard

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Extraction

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting/Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Predictive Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

API

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

Association Discovery

Not enough data

Not enough data

Ad hoc Reporting

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting & Statistics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Third-Party Integrations

Not enough data

Not enough data

Customization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Search/Filter

Not enough data

Not enough data

Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Clustering

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Import/Export

Not enough data

Not enough data

SSL Security

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Storage

Not enough data

Not enough data

Decision Tree

Not enough data

Not enough data

Multiple Scoring Models

Not enough data

Not enough data

Simulation & CAE[Hide 65 FeaturesShow 65 Features](javascript:void(0);)

8.5

13

7.6

23

Design

3D/solid modeling Tools

9.5(won by 3.8)

10

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

5.7

7

Drawing Tools

8.3(won by 0.5)

11

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.8

10

Editing Tools

8.2(won by 0.2)

10

8.0

10

Rendering tools

8.2(won by 0.1)

10

8.1

7

Stochastic Modeling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Presentation Tools

Not enough data

Not enough data

Tools

Fluid analysis

8.5

11

8.6(won by 0.1)

7

Finite element analysis

8.3(won by 1.1)

11

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.2

10

Multibody dynamics

8.2(won by 0.2)

10

8.0

9

Design Analysis

Not enough data

Not enough data

Work

Discrete event modeling

9.0(won by 0.9)

10

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.1

14

Continuous event modeling

7.9

11

8.2(won by 0.3)

13

Mechanical event simulation

8.2(won by 1.0)

11

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.2

12

Manufacturing process simulation

8.8(won by 1.7)

11

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.1

8

Integrate

8.0(won by 1.3)

11

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

6.7

7

Turbulence Modeling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Motion Modeling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Dynamic Modeling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Mathematical Modeling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Agent-Based Modeling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Monte Carlo Simulation

Not enough data

Not enough data

Environment

Hardware support

8.7(won by 1.1)

10

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.6

12

Task

8.5(won by 0.8)

11

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.7

13

Manage Multiple Profiles

8.3(won by 1.0)

10

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.3

10

Command Clarity

9.0(won by 0.7)

10

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.3

15

Additional Functionality

Activity Dashboard

Not enough data

Not enough data

Configurable Workflow

Not enough data

Not enough data

API

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Verification

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Visualization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

3D Imaging

Not enough data

Not enough data

Projections

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Import/Export

Not enough data

Not enough data

Design Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Drag & Drop

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Version Control

Not enough data

Not enough data

Visual Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Third-Party Integrations

Not enough data

Not enough data

Access Controls/Permissions

Not enough data

Not enough data

Workflow Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Direct Manipulation

Not enough data

Not enough data

Scenario Planning

Not enough data

Not enough data

Product Data Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Predictive Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Change Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Process Control

Not enough data

Not enough data

Customization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Content Library

Not enough data

Not enough data

Document Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Data

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting & Statistics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Rules-Based Workflow

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Compliance Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Policy Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Graphical Data Presentation

Not enough data

Not enough data

Customizable Reports

Not enough data

Not enough data

Graphical Workflow Editor

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting/Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Industry Specific Database

Not enough data

Not enough data

Project Workflow

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

Performance Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![GNU Octave](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b7e89f607ee81a33926914cf8b010785/gnu-octave.png "GNU Octave")](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-octave/reviews)

GNU Octave

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

66.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

17.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

17.0%

[![Scilab](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_6e50bdab7bc21f5fa01a7bd2ca7f33da/scilab.jpg "Scilab")](https://www.g2.com/products/scilab/reviews)

Scilab

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

57.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

24.6%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

17.5%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

66.0%

57.9%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

17.0%

24.6%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

17.0%

17.5%

Reviewers' Industry

[![GNU Octave](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b7e89f607ee81a33926914cf8b010785/gnu-octave.png "GNU Octave")](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-octave/reviews)
GNU Octave

Research

11.3%

Computer Software

11.3%

Defense & Space

5.7%

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing

5.7%

Information Technology and Services

5.7%

Other

60.4%

[![Scilab](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_6e50bdab7bc21f5fa01a7bd2ca7f33da/scilab.jpg "Scilab")](https://www.g2.com/products/scilab/reviews)
Scilab

Higher Education

21.1%

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

10.5%

Chemicals

7.0%

Computer Software

7.0%

Automotive

5.3%

Other

49.1%

FAQs

## GNU Octave vs Scilab FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between GNU Octave vs Scilab?

Scilab stands out with a higher G2 rating and slightly better ease of use, while GNU Octave is noted for its MATLAB compatibility and open-source accessibility.

| | [GNU Octave](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-octave/reviews) | [Scilab](https://www.g2.com/products/scilab/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.2/5 (55 reviews) | 4.5/5 (64 reviews) |
| Largest Segment | Small-Business | Small-Business |
| Ease of Setup score | — | — |
| Quality of Support score | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | MATLAB compatibility and open-source access | Free, open-source, and user-friendly for mathematical and engineering problems |

### How do the pricing models of GNU Octave and Scilab compare?

Scilab and GNU Octave are both highly rated for value, with reviewers expressing strong satisfaction with their free and open-source models.

- **GNU Octave:** Reviewers consistently highlight the value of GNU Octave as a free alternative to MATLAB, emphasizing its accessibility for students and professionals without licensing costs.
- **Scilab:** Scilab is praised for being freely available and open source, with reviewers noting its suitability for a wide range of scientific and engineering applications at no cost.

### What are the best alternatives to GNU Octave and Scilab?

The top 3 alternatives to GNU Octave and Scilab are MATLAB, Posit, and R.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [GNU Octave](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-octave/reviews) | 4.2/5 (55 reviews) | Small-Business | Free and open source | MATLAB compatibility and open-source access |
| [Scilab](https://www.g2.com/products/scilab/reviews) | 4.5/5 (64 reviews) | Small-Business | Free and open source | Free, open-source, and user-friendly for mathematical and engineering problems |
| [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) | 4.5/5 (771 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Extensive functionality and industry-standard for numerical computing |
| [Posit](https://www.g2.com/products/posit-team/reviews) | 4.5/5 (575 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-grade analytics and collaboration |

### Which Simulation & CAE features should I prioritize when comparing GNU Octave and Scilab?

Buyers should prioritize MATLAB compatibility, ease of use, quality of support, open-source accessibility, and graphical capabilities when comparing GNU Octave and Scilab.

- **MATLAB compatibility:** GNU Octave is frequently cited for its high compatibility with MATLAB, making it a preferred choice for users transitioning from MATLAB.
- **Ease of use:** Scilab scores 8.8 and GNU Octave scores 8.4 on Ease of Use, with reviewers noting both are accessible but Scilab slightly leads.
- **Quality of support:** Both products score 8.2, indicating parity in support satisfaction.
- **Open-source accessibility:** Both products are praised for being free and open source, enabling broad adoption without licensing barriers.
- **Graphical capabilities:** Reviewers mention both products offer strong graph plotting and visualization, though some note interface and plotting improvements could benefit both.

### What are the pros and cons of GNU Octave vs Scilab?

GNU Octave's headline strength is MATLAB compatibility and open-source access, while Scilab is praised for its user-friendly interface and broad scientific application support.

- **GNU Octave strengths:** High MATLAB compatibility, free and open source, intuitive for mathematical and engineering tasks, strong for signal processing and machine learning prototyping.
- **GNU Octave trade-offs:** Interface and plotting tools are less advanced than MATLAB, limited libraries and toolboxes, slower runtime compared to MATLAB, and some integration challenges with CAD/PLM.
- **Scilab strengths:** Free and open source, user-friendly for mathematical, engineering, and scientific problems, efficient for graph plotting and simulation, cross-platform support, and strong for educational and research use.
- **Scilab trade-offs:** Smaller community and less documentation than commercial alternatives, interface could be more attractive, fewer toolboxes and features compared to MATLAB, and occasional performance lags with complex models.

### Is GNU Octave or Scilab better for small businesses?

Both GNU Octave and Scilab are well-suited for small businesses, with the largest reviewer segment for each being small-business users and strong satisfaction noted in recent reviews.

- **GNU Octave:** Small-Business is the largest segment, with reviewers highlighting its free access, ease of use, and suitability for technical and engineering tasks without licensing costs.
- **Scilab:** Small-Business is also the largest segment, with reviewers praising its open-source model, user-friendly interface, and effectiveness for mathematical and scientific computations in small business environments.

### Which Simulation & CAE platform has better integrations?

GNU Octave and Scilab are at parity for integrations, as recent reviews do not highlight significant third-party integration advantages for either product.

- **GNU Octave:** Reviewers mention integration with Python via the Oct2Py module for tasks such as wireless network optimization and AI/ML workflows.
- **Scilab:** No specific third-party integrations are highlighted in recent reviews.

### How do GNU Octave and Scilab compare on customer support?

GNU Octave and Scilab are at parity on Quality of Support, both scoring 8.2, with reviewers expressing similar satisfaction levels.

- **GNU Octave:** Reviewers note accessible online support and documentation, with some mentioning areas for improvement in guidance and troubleshooting resources.
- **Scilab:** Reviewers appreciate the availability of self-learning materials, tutorials, and community support, though some mention the community is smaller and help is not always immediately available.

### Which is easier to implement, GNU Octave or Scilab?

GNU Octave and Scilab are at parity on Ease of Setup, both receiving positive feedback from reviewers.

- **GNU Octave:** Reviewers describe the setup process as straightforward, with ease of installation and minimal system requirements frequently mentioned.
- **Scilab:** Reviewers highlight easy implementation and cross-platform compatibility, with installation described as simple and efficient for new users.

Alternatives

**GNU Octave Alternatives**

 ![Mathematica](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_93069aaa0117df1dedfd067464584e06/mathematica.png "Mathematica")

[
Mathematica
](/products/mathematica/reviews)

 ![MATLAB](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d5738f5e7922b4552c3ba543a2b9dee6/matlab.jpeg "MATLAB")

[
MATLAB
](/products/matlab/reviews)

 ![Posit Team](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/ca6ffefb15801ddbeaf9a3c6c95e53c8/posit-team.svg "Posit Team")

[
Posit
](/products/posit-team/reviews)

 ![Simulink](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d5738f5e7922b4552c3ba543a2b9dee6/simulink.jpeg "Simulink")

[
Simulink
](/products/simulink/reviews)

**Scilab Alternatives**

 ![Mathematica](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_93069aaa0117df1dedfd067464584e06/mathematica.png "Mathematica")

[
Mathematica
](/products/mathematica/reviews)

 ![MATLAB](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d5738f5e7922b4552c3ba543a2b9dee6/matlab.jpeg "MATLAB")

[
MATLAB
](/products/matlab/reviews)

 ![Posit Team](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/ca6ffefb15801ddbeaf9a3c6c95e53c8/posit-team.svg "Posit Team")

[
Posit
](/products/posit-team/reviews)

 ![Simulink](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d5738f5e7922b4552c3ba543a2b9dee6/simulink.jpeg "Simulink")

[
Simulink
](/products/simulink/reviews)

## GNU Octave vs Scilab

- Reviewers felt that Scilab meets the needs of their business better than GNU Octave.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, GNU Octave and Scilab provide similar levels of assistance.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Scilab over GNU Octave.