What does GNU Octave replace?

GNU Octave is a free alternative to MATLAB ($1,050/yr).

Is GNU Octave open source?

Yes. GNU Octave is licensed under GPL-3.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.

Yes (Arch extra: octave; Flathub: org.octave.Octave). Install with: sudo pacman -S octave or flatpak install flathub org.octave.Octave.

There's nothing to host: GNU Octave is a desktop app that runs on your own machine.

A free, open-source alternative to MATLAB. Switching saves $1,050/yr at list price.

Checked Oct 17, 2026 · How we check

Desktop app

Open source · GPL-3.0 Linux Arch/AUR

gnu-octave/octave663★last push Oct 2, 2026checked Oct 17, 2026

Install

$ sudo pacman -S octave

$ flatpak install flathub org.octave.Octave

What does GNU Octave replace?: GNU Octave is a free alternative to MATLAB ($1,050/yr).
Is GNU Octave open source?: Yes. GNU Octave is licensed under GPL-3.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.
Does GNU Octave run on Linux?: Yes (Arch extra: octave; Flathub: org.octave.Octave). Install with: sudo pacman -S octave or flatpak install flathub org.octave.Octave.
Can you self-host GNU Octave?: There's nothing to host: GNU Octave is a desktop app that runs on your own machine.