Magma Computer Algebra System
Magma Computer Algebra System is software for computation in algebra, number theory, algebraic geometry, and algebraic combinatorics.
What Magma Computer Algebra System is
Magma Computer Algebra System is software for computation in algebra, number theory, algebraic geometry, and algebraic combinatorics. It supports structures including groups, rings, fields, modules, algebras, schemes, curves, graphs, designs, and codes, and includes databases intended to support computational research in algebraic areas. The maker provides an online handbook with language guidance, functions organized by topic, and example code. A free online calculator is available to students and other users. The full software is currently available directly only to institutions; students may qualify for home versions through their institution. Institutional subscriptions usually cover three years and include new releases, bug fixes, and general support while current. The listed institutional subscription is A$2,580 a year, billed AU$2580 for a three-year subscription in 2026 for machines with at most 15 cores total at an educational institution; machines and processor type affect cost, and a quote is required. A student version through educational institutions is limited to 150 MB of memory. Running the software requires a magmapassfile generated using the computer's MAC address, and downloads are account-gated after an order is received.
Good
- Covers several areas of computational mathematics.
- Supports a broad range of mathematical structures.
- Includes research databases and an online handbook.
- Offers a free online calculator.
Watch out
- Full software is sold directly only to institutions.
- Student version is limited to 150 MB of memory.
- Running it requires a computer-specific magmapassfile.
- Downloads are account-gated after an order.
Who it suits
Magma suits institutions and mathematics researchers working in its covered areas. Students may have access through their educational institution, including a limited-memory student version and a free online calculator.
Verdict
Magma offers extensive mathematical subject coverage and research-oriented resources, with institutional purchasing as the route to the full software. Students can check with their institution about access and the memory-limited version.
Plans and prices
From Magma Computer Algebra System's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free online calculator | Free | online calculator · students and others may use it |
| Institutional subscription | A$2,580 a year | institutional access · machines and processor type affect cost · quote required · AU$2580 for a three-year subscription in 2026, for machines with at most 15 cores total at an educational institution |
The facts
Each one read from Magma Computer Algebra System's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Documentation
- The maker provides an online handbook with language guidance, topic-organized functions, and example code.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Download access
- The latest software downloads are account-gated, and Magma says downloads are available after an order is received.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Individual purchase
- Magma is currently available directly only to institutions; students may qualify for home versions through their institution.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License mechanism
- Magma requires a magmapassfile to run on a computer, generated using that computer's MAC address.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Mathematical structures
- It supports structures including groups, rings, fields, modules, algebras, schemes, curves, graphs, designs, and codes.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Online calculator
- A free online calculator is available for students and other users.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Patches
- The maker says it issues approximately fifteen patch releases each year.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Magma is a computational algebra system for algebra, number theory, algebraic geometry, and algebraic combinatorics.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Research databases
- Magma includes databases designed to support computational research in algebraic areas of mathematics.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Student access
- A student version is available through educational institutions and is limited to 150 MB of memory.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Subscription
- Institutional subscriptions usually cover a set period of three years and include new releases, bug fixes, and general support while current.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Third-party contributions
- Extra user-submitted packages and tools are offered as-is without support from the Magma group.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Sydney, New South Wales, Australiachecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The maker lists Linux and 64-bit Intel Mac OS X as actively supported platforms; old Windows 32-bit versions are available but no longer actively supported.checked 5 Oct 2026
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