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Macaulay2

macaulay2.com

  • Free plan
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Web
  • Self-hosted
7.6 Club score Visit macaulay2.com

What Macaulay2 is

Macaulay2 is a free software system for research in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra. Its core algorithms compute Gröbner bases and graded or multigraded free resolutions for modules over quotient rings of polynomial rings. The system also lists Betti numbers, Ext, coherent-sheaf cohomology on projective varieties, primary decomposition of ideals, and integral closure. These capabilities are exposed through a high-level interpreted language with a debugger, extensible classes, and methods for computing with them. Contributor-written packages can extend the software. Users can run Macaulay2 in a browser through Macaulay2Web at the University of Melbourne or Georgia Tech, CoCalc, and SageMathCell. The project wiki documents integration with Emacs, Sublime, VS Code, Jupyter, Vim, Neovim, and Zed. Installation guidance covers macOS, Linux distributions, and Windows Subsystem for Linux; a legacy downloads page also lists Windows downloads. The official Downloads page says its files are historical references and directs users to the wiki for current instructions. The homepage lists stable version 1.26.06, dated June 10, 2026. Community support includes a Google discussion group, Zulip chat, and bug reports.

Who it suits

Macaulay2 is aimed at researchers and students working in algebraic geometry or commutative algebra. It also suits users who want browser access, programmable mathematics, package extensions, or editor and notebook integrations.

Good to know, and what to watch

  • Computes Gröbner bases and free resolutions
  • Includes broad algebraic-geometry computations
  • Provides an interpreted language with debugger
  • Runs through several browser-based services
  • Integrates with editors and notebooks
  • Current installation guidance is on the wiki, not legacy downloads
  • Windows support is documented through Windows Subsystem for Linux

Plans

Every plan and price

Macaulay2

Free

Free plan

The verdict

Macaulay2 provides specialized symbolic computation for advanced algebra research, with programming and package extensibility. Browser services and many integrations make it accessible across different workflows, while installation requires following the project’s current wiki guidance.

What the maker publishes

Additional mathematics
The site lists Betti numbers, Ext, coherent-sheaf cohomology on projective varieties, primary decomposition of ideals, and integral closure among its computations. source
Community support
The site invites feedback through a Google discussion group, Zulip team chat, and bug reports. source
Core computations
Its core algorithms compute Gröbner bases and graded or multigraded free resolutions of modules over quotient rings of polynomial rings. source
Current version
The homepage lists version 1.26.06 as the stable release, dated June 10, 2026. source
Funding
The site says Macaulay2’s creation has been funded by the National Science Foundation since 1992. source
Installation caveat
The official Downloads page says its files are retained for historical reference and directs users to the wiki for current installation instructions. source
Integrations
The project wiki lists ways to use Macaulay2 with Emacs, Sublime, VS Code, Jupyter, Vim, Neovim, and Zed. source
Operating systems
The installation wiki documents macOS, Linux distributions, and Windows Subsystem for Linux; the site’s legacy downloads page also lists Windows downloads. source
Packages
Macaulay2 packages written by contributors extend the software’s functionality. source
Programming
The algorithms are accessible through a high-level interpreted language with a debugger, extensible classes, and methods for computing with those classes. source
Purpose
Macaulay2 is a software system for research in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra. source
Web access
Users can try Macaulay2 in a browser through Macaulay2Web at the University of Melbourne or Georgia Tech, CoCalc, and SageMathCell. source

Checked against the maker's pages on 11 Oct 2026.