Top Derive Alternatives for Symbolic and Numeric Mathematics

Derive 6.1 was once a powerful system for symbolic and numeric mathematics, but as an application that is no longer available or officially supported, users are increasingly searching for reliable and robust Derive alternative solutions. If you're looking to perform advanced mathematical computations, algebra, calculus, or data analysis, there are many modern software packages that can fill the void left by Derive.

The Best Derive Alternatives

Whether you need a free, open-source solution or a commercial enterprise-grade environment, the following alternatives offer a wide range of features and platforms to meet your mathematical computing needs. Let's explore some of the top contenders.

GNU Octave

GNU Octave

GNU Octave is a fantastic free and open-source Derive alternative, largely compatible with MATLAB. It's a cross-platform solution available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD. Octave excels in numerical computations and offers features like ANOVA testing, making it a strong choice for scientific and engineering applications.

MATLAB

MATLAB

MATLAB is an enterprise-class commercial computing environment and programming language that serves as a comprehensive Derive alternative. It's available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, and iPad, offering extensive platform support. Key features include Simulink for model-based design, batch plotting, and an embedded debugger, making it ideal for complex numerical computation and data analysis.

Sage

Sage

Sage is a free, open-source mathematics software system licensed under the GPL, making it a powerful Derive alternative for those seeking flexibility. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, Sage combines the power of many existing open-source packages into a common Python-based interface, with strong capabilities in symbolic computation.

Mathematica

Mathematica

Mathematica is a definitive commercial technical computing system and a robust Derive alternative, available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web. It spans machine learning, neural networks, data science, and visualizations. Its extensive features include symbolic computation, calculus solving, constructive geometry, equation solving, graphing calculator, algebra, and graphical components.

SciPy & Numpy

SciPy & Numpy

SciPy and NumPy are open-source Python libraries for mathematics, science, and engineering, serving as excellent free Derive alternative options. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, these libraries provide fundamental building blocks for numerical computing in Python, making them popular among researchers and developers.

Scilab

Scilab

Scilab is a free and open-source scientific software package for numerical computations, providing a powerful computing environment for engineering and scientific applications. As a Derive alternative, it's available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, making it accessible for a wide range of users needing to perform advanced numerical analysis.

Maxima

Maxima

Maxima is a free and open-source system for the manipulation of symbolic and numerical expressions, serving as a direct Derive alternative for symbolic mathematics. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it handles differentiation, integration, Taylor series, Laplace transforms, and ordinary differential equations, along with strong algebra capabilities.

wxMaxima

wxMaxima

wxMaxima is a free and open-source document-based interface for the Maxima computer algebra system, making it an excellent user-friendly Derive alternative. It runs natively on Windows, X11, and Mac OS X, providing a graphical environment for leveraging Maxima's powerful algebra features.

Orange

Orange

Orange is a free and open-source, cross-platform data mining and machine learning suite, offering a visual programming approach. While not a direct symbolic math replacement, it can be a valuable Derive alternative for data-centric numerical tasks. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, its features include visual programming, data science, interactive visualization, and Python-based plugins.

SymPy

SymPy

SymPy is a free and open-source Python library for symbolic computation, aiming to be a full-featured computer algebra system with a simple code base. As a Derive alternative focused on symbolic math, it's available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and includes features for algebra, education, equation editing, and solving.

With a diverse range of open-source and commercial options, from general-purpose numerical computing environments to specialized symbolic manipulation systems, you're sure to find a suitable Derive alternative. Explore these options and choose the one that best aligns with your specific mathematical and computational needs.

William Hall

William Hall

A former developer turned content strategist who enjoys demystifying tech for readers.