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Scilab vs GNU Octave: catalog facts
Scilab	GNU Octave
Free Free and open source.	Free Free software under the GNU General Public License.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Hundreds of built-in mathematical functions Xcos editor for modelling dynamical systems	Runs many Matlab scripts without changes Built-in 2D and 3D plotting
Uses its own language rather than a general-purpose one	Compatibility with Matlab is partial, not complete No equivalent of Matlab's commercial toolboxes beyond community packages
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.