Mathematica vs Mathcad : Which is Better?

Mathematica icon

Mathematica

Wolfram Mathematica (usually termed Mathematica, Mathematica software suite) is a mathematical symbolic computation program. Developed by Wolfram Research

License: Commercial

Categories: Education & Reference

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux Online

VS
VS
Mathcad icon

Mathcad

Mathcad is software for the verification, validation, documentation and re-use of engineering calculations. Developed by PTC

License: Commercial

Apps available for Windows

Mathematica VS Mathcad

Mathcad is geared towards engineers and offers a more intuitive interface for calculations with strong support for units, while Mathematica excels in symbolic computation and programming capabilities, making it suitable for more complex mathematical tasks. Overall, Mathcad is best for engineering applications, whereas Mathematica serves a broader range of mathematical and technical computing needs.

Mathematica

Pros:

  • Powerful symbolic computation capabilities
  • Extensive programming functions
  • High-quality visualizations and graphics
  • Strong community and documentation
  • Versatile for complex mathematical problems

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve for new users
  • May be overkill for simple calculations
  • More expensive than Mathcad
  • Less focused on engineering applications
  • Can be complex for users primarily focused on numeric tasks

Mathcad

Pros:

  • Intuitive interface for engineers
  • Excellent for engineering calculations
  • Strong support for units and dimensions
  • Good for documenting calculations
  • Easier for quick calculations and prototyping

Cons:

  • Limited symbolic computation capabilities
  • Less suitable for programming tasks
  • Higher cost for full features
  • Not as flexible for mathematical exploration
  • Less community support compared to Mathematica

Compare Mathematica

vs
Compare Freemat and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare fxSolver and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare GMDH Shell and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare GNU Octave and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare GraphCalc and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare Julia and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare Maple and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare MATLAB and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare Maxima and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare Microsoft Mathematics and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare python(x,y) and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare R (programming language) and Mathematica and decide which is most suitable for you.