Yacas
What Yacas is
Yacas is a general purpose computer algebra system for symbolic manipulation of mathematical expressions. It also supports arbitrary precision numerical computations through its own programming language. Its script library implements many symbolic algebra operations, and users can add new algorithms to that library. Documentation covers the language, implemented functionality, and the algorithms used, giving users material to consult as they work with the system. Yacas offers an online demo that runs in a browser and performs calculations locally using a C++ application transpiled into JavaScript and WebAssembly. The demo is slower than the desktop version and does not allow saving or loading. The downloads page lists source code and binary packages for Java and Linux for stable version 1.9.1. Linux instructions cover packages for a terminal interface, graphical interface, Jupyter kernel, and development libraries. Version 1.9.1 notes describe implemented plots in the Jupyter kernel, improved Jupyter integration, and fixes to the OpenMath printer and reader. Older versions have Windows 7 or newer packages in the downloads archive. Yacas is free, with no paid plans or usage limits stated.
Who it suits
Yacas suits people who need symbolic manipulation of mathematical expressions or arbitrary precision numerical computation. It may also fit users who want to extend algebra operations with their own algorithms or work through a browser demo, desktop packages, or Linux interfaces including Jupyter.
What it does well
- Free to use, with no paid plans stated.
- Supports symbolic manipulation and arbitrary precision numerical computation.
- Allows users to add algorithms to its script library.
- Offers a browser demo that performs calculations locally.
- Linux packages cover terminal, graphical, and Jupyter interfaces.
- Documentation covers its language, functionality, and algorithms.
What to know first
- The browser demo is slower than the desktop version.
- The browser demo does not allow saving or loading.
- Windows packages in the archive are for older Yacas versions.
Limits
The browser demo is slower than the desktop version and does not allow saving or loading. The listed Windows packages cover older Yacas versions.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Yacas | No paid plans or usage limits stated | Free |
As yacas.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Yacas website and review the documentation.
- Use the browser demo for calculations without installing a desktop package.
- Download the stable 1.9.1 source code or Java or Linux binary package.
- On Linux, choose a terminal, graphical, Jupyter, or development library package as needed.
- For Windows, consult the downloads archive for packages for older Yacas versions.
- Use the linked questions page if you have an unanswered question.
Verdict
Choose Yacas if you want a free computer algebra system for symbolic expressions and arbitrary precision numerical work, especially if extensibility or a Jupyter interface matters to you. Its browser demo offers a way to try calculations locally. Look elsewhere if you need to save or load work in the browser demo, or if you require a current Windows package.
Questions
Is Yacas free?
Yes. The listed plan is free, and no paid plans or usage limits are stated.
What does Yacas do?
It is a general purpose computer algebra system for symbolic manipulation of mathematical expressions, and its own language supports arbitrary precision numerical computations.
Can I use Yacas in a browser?
Yes. Its online demo runs calculations locally in the browser, but it is slower than the desktop version and does not support saving or loading.
Which downloads are available?
The downloads page lists source code and Java and Linux binary packages for stable version 1.9.1. Linux instructions include terminal, graphical, Jupyter, and development packages.
Does Yacas support Windows?
The downloads archive lists packages for Windows 7 or newer for older Yacas versions.
Is Yacas open source?
The downloads page lists source code. The provided facts do not state an open-source license.
Facts from Yacas's own pages
- Browser demo
- Yacas has an online demo that runs in a browser. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Demo limits
- The browser demo is slower than the desktop version and does not allow saving or loading. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Demo processing
- The online demo performs calculations locally in the browser using a C++ application transpiled into JavaScript/WebAssembly. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Documentation covers the scripting language, implemented functionality, and the algorithms used. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The downloads page lists source code and binary packages for Java and Linux for stable version 1.9.1. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Jupyter
- Release 1.9.1 notes that plots are implemented in the Jupyter kernel and that Jupyter integration was improved. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Language
- It uses its own programming language for symbolic and arbitrary precision numerical computations. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Library
- Its library of scripts implements many symbolic algebra operations, and new algorithms can be added to the library. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Linux interfaces
- The Linux instructions list packages for a terminal interface, graphical interface, Jupyter kernel, and development libraries. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- OpenMath
- Release 1.9.1 reports fixes to the OpenMath printer and reader. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Yacas is a general purpose computer algebra system for symbolic manipulation of mathematical expressions. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The getting started page directs users with unanswered questions to ask them through its linked questions page. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The downloads archive lists Windows 7 or newer packages for older Yacas versions. · yacas.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where Yacas stands on Freedom251
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