Maxima review
A free, broad symbolic math system for desktop and web access, without guided solutions.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Maxima is an open-source computer algebra system for symbolic and numerical mathematics. It suits students, educators, and technical users who want to manipulate expressions and solve a range of traditional math problems rather than receive a guided lesson. Its scope includes differentiation, integration, Taylor series, Laplace transforms, ordinary differential equations, linear systems, and operations on polynomials, sets, lists, vectors, matrices, and tensors. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with web also listed as a platform.
The breadth is its main draw: exact fractions and arbitrary-precision integers sit alongside variable-precision floating-point computation, while two- and three-dimensional plotting support visual exploration. Users can work in a terminal, use the included XMaxima graphical interface, or choose separately available wxMaxima for notebook-style interaction. Gnuplot and Tcl/Tk are listed integrations. This makes Maxima a fit for people comfortable with computer algebra workflows and interface choices; it is less suited to someone seeking a polished, single-purpose calculator experience.
Maxima is free to use and open source, so there are no paid tiers to weigh against its mathematical coverage. That favors learners and practitioners looking for a no-cost symbolic tool, especially when exact computation or differential equations matter. It is not positioned here as a photo-based homework scanner or a tutor that explains each step: photo input, handwriting recognition, and step-by-step explanations are not documented. Choose another app if those interaction and teaching features are central; choose Maxima when open symbolic computation and plotting are the priority.
Maxima pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Handles calculus, differential equations, linear systems, and algebraic objects
- Supports exact arithmetic and arbitrary-precision numerical computation
- Offers terminal, XMaxima, and wxMaxima interfaces plus 2D/3D plotting
- Where it doesn't
- Does not document photo input or handwriting recognition
- Does not document step-by-step answer explanations
- Graphical notebook-style interaction depends on XMaxima or separately available wxMaxima
Maxima fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update