Macaulay2
Macaulay2 is a free software system for research in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra.
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 of modules over quotient rings of polynomial rings. Other listed computations include Betti numbers, Ext, coherent-sheaf cohomology on projective varieties, primary decomposition of ideals, and integral closure.
The algorithms are available through a high-level interpreted language with a debugger, extensible classes, and methods for computing with those classes. Contributor-written packages can extend the system. Users can access it in a browser through Macaulay2Web, CoCalc, or SageMathCell, and the project wiki describes links with editors and notebooks such as Emacs, VS Code, Jupyter, Vim, and Zed. Installation guidance covers macOS, Linux distributions, and Windows Subsystem for Linux; legacy downloads also list Windows. The downloads page directs users to the wiki for current installation instructions. The homepage lists version 1.26.06 as the stable release, dated June 10, 2026. Community support includes a discussion group, Zulip chat, and bug reports.
Good
- Free software system.
- Computes Gröbner bases and free resolutions.
- Includes a debugger and extensible classes.
- Browser access is available through several services.
- Contributor-written packages extend functionality.
Watch out
- Current installation instructions are on the wiki, not legacy downloads.
- Windows installation guidance documents Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Who it suits
Macaulay2 is suited to researchers and students working in algebraic geometry or commutative algebra. Its interpreted language and listed integrations may also suit users who want to work through an editor, notebook, or browser.
Verdict
Macaulay2 provides a broad set of computations for algebraic geometry and commutative algebra, with browser access and an extensible language. Check the wiki for current installation instructions.
Plans and prices
From Macaulay2's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Macaulay2 | Free | No plan or usage limits stated on the official site |
The facts
Each one read from Macaulay2's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Additional mathematics
- The site lists Betti numbers, Ext, coherent-sheaf cohomology on projective varieties, primary decomposition of ideals, and integral closure among its computations.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The site invites feedback through a Google discussion group, Zulip team chat, and bug reports.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Core computations
- Its core algorithms compute Gröbner bases and graded or multigraded free resolutions of modules over quotient rings of polynomial rings.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Current version
- The homepage lists version 1.26.06 as the stable release, dated June 10, 2026.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Funding
- The site says Macaulay2’s creation has been funded by the National Science Foundation since 1992.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Installation caveat
- The official Downloads page says its files are retained for historical reference and directs users to the wiki for current installation instructions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project wiki lists ways to use Macaulay2 with Emacs, Sublime, VS Code, Jupyter, Vim, Neovim, and Zed.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The installation wiki documents macOS, Linux distributions, and Windows Subsystem for Linux; the site’s legacy downloads page also lists Windows downloads.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Packages
- Macaulay2 packages written by contributors extend the software’s functionality.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Programming
- The algorithms are accessible through a high-level interpreted language with a debugger, extensible classes, and methods for computing with those classes.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Macaulay2 is a software system for research in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Web access
- Users can try Macaulay2 in a browser through Macaulay2Web at the University of Melbourne or Georgia Tech, CoCalc, and SageMathCell.checked 11 Oct 2026
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