Maple
Ranked #10 of 13 for numerical computing software: Mathematics software with its own programming language, from Maplesoft in Waterloo.
Sebastiaan SmitsFounderOn this site vendors can buy visibility, and we say so. Outbound links, including the one to Maple, are marked identically. Read more.
Visit Maple See it in the numerical computing software ranking
Key facts about Maple
| Headquarters | Canada |
|---|---|
| Best for | Mathematics teams wanting algebra, graphics and explanation in one workbook |
| API | Not stated in the pages we read |
| Pricing model | Quoted by licence type: web store for single users, quotes for multi-user; trial download offered |
| Free plan | Paid only, as far as we recorded |
| Deployment | Unclear from the vendor pages |
What is Maple?
Maple is math software from Maplesoft, a division of Waterloo Maple Inc. with headquarters in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The product page describes an easy-to-use interface and a programming language designed for mathematics, with customisable 2-D and 3-D plots and animations. It says Maple can solve problems from virtually any branch of mathematics, calculus, statistics and group theory being examples, and keep problems, solutions and explanations in one document.
Interactive applications can be shared over the web. Maple now includes access to Maple Calculator Premium, Maple Learn and Maple MCP, described as a math plugin for an LLM. Maplesoft is a subsidiary of Cybernet Systems Co. Ltd. The pricing page lists licence types but shows no prices.
Maple key features
- Math-oriented language. The product page pairs an interface with a programming language designed for mathematics. Users can therefore write procedures in the same environment where they explore a problem.
- Broad problem coverage. Virtually any branch of mathematics is claimed, with calculus, statistics and group theory given as examples. The page does not list individual functions, so depth in a specific area has to be checked.
- Single-document workflow. Problems, solutions and explanations stay together in one document. That suits reports and coursework where the working has to be shown alongside the answer.
- 2-D and 3-D plots and animations. Customisable plots and animations are named among the functions. The pages we read do not say which export formats are offered.
- Shareable interactive applications. Interactive applications can be created and shared over the web. MapleCloud is listed for sharing documents, and a free Maple Player lets others view Maple documents.
- Included companions. Maple now includes Maple Calculator Premium, Maple Learn and Maple MCP, the last described as a math plugin for an LLM. What each does is not detailed on the pages we read.
- Related products. MapleSim handles system-level modelling, and Maple T.A. and Möbius are offered through the technology partner DigitalEd. MapleNet appears under add-ons.
Who Maple suits
- A university lecturer. Building interactive applications for a course and sharing them over the web, with Maple Player available to students who only need to view documents. Licensing for a department goes through quote.
- An engineer modelling systems. Starting in Maple and moving to MapleSim for system-level modelling. The pages we read do not describe how the two exchange models.
- A researcher documenting a derivation. Keeping the problem, the solution and the explanation in one document so reviewers can follow the steps. Plots and animations sit in the same file.
Getting started with Maple
The product page links a Download a Free Trial option and a free Maple Player for viewing Maple documents, which is the lowest-commitment way to look at the software. For a purchase, the pricing page splits the routes: single-user new purchases through the Maplesoft Web Store, single-user upgrades through the Upgrade Center, and multi-user licences and upgrades on quote.
The pages we read give no installation steps, system requirements or trial length. Maple Learn and Maple Calculator Premium are included with Maple, and MapleCloud is named for sharing documents, so those are the places to continue after the first install.
Where Maple wins and where it does not
- Maple keeps problems, solutions and explanations in one document, with 2-D and 3-D plots and web-shared interactive applications.
- Marked in our records as maple Player.
- Catalogue tag: Multi-user quotes.
- Suits: Mathematics teams wanting algebra, graphics and explanation in one workbook.
- Maple is tagged Single-user store in our records.
- Ownership sits with Cybernet Systems Co. Ltd, which the company page names as parent.
- Look elsewhere if you are Buyers who want to read a price before talking to sales.
- No amount, currency or billing basis appears for any licence.
Verdict: Maple
Maple keeps problems, solutions and explanations in one document, with 2-D and 3-D plots and web-shared interactive applications. Maplesoft, a division of Waterloo Maple Inc., is a subsidiary of Cybernet Systems Co. Ltd. The pricing page shows no prices, currency or billing basis for any licence, so a buyer has to ask before comparing costs.
The numerical computing software list places Maple 10 of 13: it follows Mathics and comes before Mathematica. No numeric score is attached; established products follow the challengers in their ranked order.
Home market: Canada, one of 3 North America bases among the 13 products here.
Maple pros and cons in practice
- A free trial download and a free Maple Player are linked from the product page.
- The company page names Waterloo, Canada, and over 35 years of providing software.
- Maple Learn, Maple Calculator Premium and Maple MCP are included.
- Single-user, term, volume and site licence routes are described.
- The pricing page shows no prices, currency or billing basis for any licence.
- Multi-user licences and upgrades are on quote only.
- The Personal Edition page we read did not include the price or renewal terms.
- The pages we read give no trial length, system requirements or data handling detail.
Maple in practice
The product page says Maple now includes Maple Calculator Premium, Maple Learn and Maple MCP, a math plugin for an LLM.
Related products are MapleSim for system-level modelling and MapleCloud for sharing documents.
What Maple costs
Charging model: Quoted by licence type: web store for single users, quotes for multi-user; trial download offered.
The pricing page shows no prices, currency or billing basis for any licence. It lists single-user new purchases through the Maplesoft Web Store, multi-user licences and multi-user upgrades on quote, and single-user upgrades through the Upgrade Center. Maplesoft also offers single-user term licences, volume licences, site licence programmes and special configurations, though the page gives no term length or billing details. The Maplesoft Store catalogue for the Personal Edition is titled in USD, but the page text we read did not include the price, billing basis or renewal terms, so we record none. A trial download is offered through the product page.
Source: the pricing material on maplesoft.com, as read for Best Numerical Computing Software in 2026 and last reviewed on 13 November 2026.
Maple: data and security
The company page gives the headquarters as 609 Kumpf Drive, Suite 202, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2V 1K8, and the footer names the legal entity as Maplesoft, a division of Waterloo Maple Inc. Maplesoft is a subsidiary of Cybernet Systems Co. Ltd.
The pages we read say nothing about where documents are processed, how MapleCloud stores shared files, retention, encryption or certifications. Maple MCP is described as a math plugin for an LLM, but the page does not explain what data it sends. Buyers with data protection questions need to ask the company.
Integrations and ecosystem
Integrations the vendor names (10):
- Maple Calculator Premium
- Maple Learn
- Maple MCP
- MapleSim
- Maple T.A.
- Möbius
- DigitalEd
- MapleCloud
- MapleNet
- Maple Player
Also in our records:
- The product page says Maple now includes Maple Calculator Premium, Maple Learn and Maple MCP, a math plugin for an LLM.
Maple in numbers and labels
| Product | Maple |
|---|---|
| Vendor website | maplesoft.com |
| Headquarters | Canada (North America) |
| Price visibility | Quoted after a conversation |
| Primary guide | Best Numerical Computing Software in 2026 |
| Catalogue tags | Single-user store, Multi-user quotes, Maple Player |
| Rank there | #10 of 13 |
| What we do not hold | funding rounds and staff numbers |
| Head-to-head pages | No comparison written |
| Alternatives page | Not part of the alternatives set |
Alternatives to Maple
These are the nearest neighbours of Maple in the same list, picked on shared traits and price model.
- SMath Studio (#3 of 13): Units-aware maths worksheet program with published prices from SMath LLC. Best for: Engineers documenting unit-aware calculations in readable worksheets on a published price list.
- PARI/GP (#7 of 13): Number theory computer algebra system developed at the University of Bordeaux. Best for: Number theory researchers working with factorisation, elliptic curves and modular forms.
- Mathics (#9 of 13): Not for: buyers who need verified documentation and a company behind the product. Mathematica-syntax computer algebra system written as Python packages, licensed GPLv3.
- Mathematica (#11 of 13): Wolfram's technical computing environment, listing nearly 7,000 built-in functions. Watch out: price fields are blank on the Personal page, and the index lists no amounts. (United States)
Also ranked in
| Guide | Position |
|---|---|
| Best Numerical Computing Software in 2026 | #10 of 13 |
Maple: questions
9 answersWho should choose Maple?
Mathematics teams wanting algebra, graphics and explanation in one workbook. It is a weaker match for the following: buyers who want to read a price before talking to sales.
Is Maple free, or what does it charge?
The pricing entry for Maple reads: Quoted by licence type: web store for single users, quotes for multi-user; trial download offered. On free access, a paid plan is required, per our records.
Where does Maple stand among numerical computing software?
In our numerical computing software list Maple stands at place 10 of 13.
Where is Maple based?
The vendor is based in Canada (North America). That is where the contracting company sits, not necessarily where your data is hosted.
What else should I look at besides Maple?
The nearest neighbours in our ranking are SMath Studio, PARI/GP, Mathics and Mathematica. They are ranked and described in the same list.
Where is Maplesoft based?
The company page gives the headquarters as 609 Kumpf Drive, Suite 202, Waterloo, ON, Canada. It is a subsidiary of Cybernet Systems Co. Ltd.
Can I try Maple first?
The product page links a Download a Free Trial option. The trial's length is not stated on the pages we read.
How is Maple priced?
The pricing page shows no prices. Single-user purchases go through the Maplesoft Web Store, while multi-user licences are on quote.
What is Maple MCP?
The product page describes it as a math plugin for an LLM and says it is included with Maple.
Maple: sources
Read from the vendor’s own pages on 12 November 2026.
- maplesoft.com/products/Maple: Functions, included products, related products, trial and Maple Player
- maplesoft.com/products/maple/pricing/index.aspx: Licence routes, quote-only multi-user, absence of prices
- store.maplesoft.com/products/usd-maple-personal-edition: Personal Edition titled in USD, price not in the text read
- maplesoft.com/company: Headquarters, legal entity, parent company, DigitalEd spin-off in 2018
How we rank
We rank on what separates products after the demo: time to useful, the real price, the exit and who the product is for. Maple ends up at #10 among 13. Details: how we rank software.