Based on 133 reviews and ratings
Based on 28 reviews and ratings
Highlights
MATLAB and Mathematica are both software businesses can use to handle complex calculations and computing. MATLAB is a predictive analytics tool that helps businesses create insights and predictions from business data. In contrast, Mathematica is a Data Discovery and Visualization tool, which helps glean useful information from existing business data. Both MATLAB and Mathematica are most popular with mid-sized businesses and large enterprises that have large amounts of data to use for predictive analytics or data discovery.
Features
MATLAB and Mathematica can both be used to generate useful insights from business data, but they also have some standout features that set them apart from each other.
MATLAB is a data oriented product that specializes in predictive analytics. Businesses can utilize MATLAB’s proprietary programming language to predict business outcomes based on data collected in other applications. Many developers will feel comfortable using MATLAB quicker than other options, as it can be edited using external editors like emacs that many users are already familiar with. MATLAB also provides many packages that extend its use at no additional charge to the user.
Mathematica can be used to perform complex mathematical functions on data quickly and easily. Syntax for Mathematica is simple enough that users will be able to write functions without much experience with the product, so training requirements are minimal compared to other tools for writing simple functions. Mathematica is an ideal software for handling calculus equations and acting as a scientific calculator.
Limitations
MATLAB and Mathematica both help users get the most out of their business data, but they also have some limitations that are important to consider.
MATLAB offers a robust programming language, but it can be difficult to learn for new users. Businesses should expect MATLAB users to need some training in order to get the most out of the tool. Additionally, while MATLAB is an ideal tool for predictive analytics, it is weaker for complex functions including problems like differential equations.
Mathematica is a strong tool for handling complex equations and functions, but it is less flexible compared to MATLAB. Packages that extend the features of Mathematica exist, but they can’t be accessed for free, unlike MATLAB. Additionally, Mathematica is not supported by external editors, so users will have to adjust to the interface provided by Mathematica.
Pricing
Individuals can purchase MATLAB at a flat rate, but businesses must reach out to the vendor for exact pricing information. Different pricing is provided depending on whether your organization is commercial or academic in nature.
Mathematica offers individual licenses starting at $144.00 per month. Pricing information for teams and businesses is provided by the vendor upon request.
Provided by the TrustRadius Research Team
Published on August 3, 2020
Likelihood to Recommend
MATLAB

Mathematica

Feature Rating Comparison
BI Standard Reporting
Pixel Perfect reports
Customizable dashboards
Report Formatting Templates
Ad-hoc Reporting
Drill-down analysis
Formatting capabilities
Integration with R or other statistical packages
Report sharing and collaboration
Report Output and Scheduling
Publish to Web
Publish to PDF
Report Versioning
Report Delivery Scheduling
Delivery to Remote Servers
Data Discovery and Visualization
Pre-built visualization formats (heatmaps, scatter plots etc.)
Location Analytics / Geographic Visualization
Predictive Analytics
Pros
MATLAB
- It has a very user friendly library which helps users learn this software fairly quickly in a short span of time.
- The graphical user interface provided by the software is really good.
- The code that a person writes allows options for debugging.
- One can visualize the flow of control of their code inside MATLAB.
Mathematica
- It allows straightforward integration of analytic analysis of algebraic expressions and their numerical implemented.
- Supports varying programmatic paradigms, so one can choose what best fits the problem or task: pure functions, procedural programming, list processing, and even (with a bit of setup) object-oriented programming.
- The extensive and rich tools for graphical rendering make it very easy to not just get 2D and 3D renderings of final output, but also to do quick-and-dirty 2D and 3D rendering of intermediate results and/or debugging results.
Cons
MATLAB
- MatLab is pricier than most of its competitors and because of this reason, many organizations are moving towards cheaper alternatives - mostly Python.
- MatLab is inefficient when it comes to performing a large number of iterations. It gets laggy and often crashes. Python is better in this regard.
- There is a limited number of hardware options (mostly NI) that can be connected directly to the data acquisition toolbox.
Mathematica
- Not a fault as such, but there are instances of simple problems where Wolfram Alpha can be used more easily instead.

Usability
MATLAB
Mathematica
Support Rating
MATLAB

Mathematica

Alternatives Considered
MATLAB
Mathematica
Return on Investment
MATLAB
- MATLAB helps us quickly sort through large sets of data because we keep the same script each time we run an analyzation, making it very efficient to run this whole process.
- The software makes it super easy for us to create plots that we can then show to investors or clients to display our data.
- We are also looking to create an app for our product, and we will not be able to do that on MATLAB, therefore creating a limiting issue and a new learning curve for a programming language.
Mathematica
- Easy to solve huge mathematical equations, so it saved time there
- Doing analysis and plotting graphs is also another plus point
- Learning is very slow, and it took lot of time to learn its scripting language
Pricing Details
MATLAB
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
MATLAB Editions & Modules
Edition
Standard | $8601 |
---|---|
Standard | $2,1502 |
Education | $5002 |
Education | $2503 |
Student | $494 |
Student | $495 |
Home | $1496 |
- per year
- perpetual license
- per year
- per student license
- per student suite license
- perpetual license
Additional Pricing Details
—Mathematica
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
Mathematica Editions & Modules
Edition
Mathematica Enterprise Edition | $8,260.001 |
---|---|
Enterprise Private Cloud | Contact sales team |
Standard Cloud | $13.003 |
Standard Desktop | $124.004 |
Standard Desktop & Cloud | $145.004 |
Network Mathematica | Contact sales team |
Student Cloud | $9.006 |
Student Desktop | $83.007 |
Home Cloud | $18.008 |
Home Desktop | $177.009 |
Home Desktop & Cloud | $310.009 |
- one-time fee
- starting price/per month
- per year/starting price
- per month
- per year
- per month
- per year