MATLAB Online Alternative

Run Your MATLAB Code in the Browser Blazing Fast

RunMat executes MATLAB-syntax code in your browser with auto GPU acceleration. No account or licence needed.

Try RunMat in Your Browser →View Getting Started

What is MATLAB Online?

MATLAB Online is MathWorks' official browser-based interface for running MATLAB code. It's used by students, engineers, and researchers for numerical computing, data analysis, and algorithm development.

But there's a challenge…

MATLAB Online requires a MathWorks account, and your code runs on their cloud servers, not on your local machine. Many engineers run into these limitations:

Account barriers

Sign-up process and license requirements create unnecessary friction for quick tasks.

Idle timeouts & hour caps

Sessions timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. Free tier is capped at 20 hours/month.

Cloud dependency

Code must be uploaded to remote servers, raising privacy and connectivity concerns.

No local GPU access

Code runs on MathWorks' servers, so you cannot use your own GPU for acceleration.

Meet RunMat: A Free Alternative

RunMat is an open-source runtime that understands MATLAB syntax and runs it directly in your browser. Your code executes on your own device via WebAssembly, and GPU code acceleration in browers that support WebGPU.

Key differences from MATLAB Online

No account required

Open the sandbox and start coding immediately.

No usage limits

No monthly caps, no execution timeouts, no idle disconnects.

Client-side execution

Your code runs locally in your browser, not on a remote server.

GPU acceleration

WebGPU-enabled browsers can accelerate computations automatically.

Free & open source

MIT-licensed runtime, community-developed, and always accessible.

Works offline

After initial load, runs without internet connection.

Live syntax validation

Red underlines highlight errors before you run.

Tracing & logging

Detailed execution trace and console output.

Try RunMat in Your Browser →

Compatibility and coverage

RunMat focuses on MATLAB-compatible syntax for core numerical workflows. See the language coverage guide and function reference for current support.

Performance context

Review the benchmarks and how RunMat works under the hood for detailed performance insights.

Docs →

Language coverage, function reference, and how RunMat works.

Benchmarks →

Reproducible performance results across common math workloads.

Blog →

Practical guides, comparisons, and release notes.

How It Works

Get started in three simple steps.

runmat.org/sandbox

Open the Sandbox

Click the button to launch RunMat in your browser. No downloads or sign-ups required.

A = [3 1 3 2];
C = unique(A);

Write or Paste Code

Type your MATLAB-style code directly, or paste existing scripts from your projects.

C =

     1     2     3

Run and See Results

Execute your code instantly. View outputs, plots, and results in real time.

RunMat vs. MATLAB Online

A clear comparison of capabilities and requirements.

RunMat

High-performance, open-source runtime for math

✓Open-source runtime
✓No account required
✓Client-side execution
✓WebGPU acceleration
✓Works offline
✓Core matrix operations
✓Live syntax validation
✓Execution tracing & logging
–Limited package / toolbox support
–Subset of MATLAB functions

MATLAB Online

MathWorks official platform

✕Requires paid license
✕Account & sign-in required
✕Cloud-based execution
✓GPU support available
✕Requires internet connection
✓Full MATLAB language
✓Complete toolbox ecosystem
✓Official MathWorks support

What Works Today

Works Well

•

Matrix and array operations (indexing, slicing, reshaping)

•

Arithmetic, logical, and relational operators

•

Control flow (if/else, for, while, switch)

•

User-defined functions with multiple outputs

•

Cells, structs, and basic classdef OOP

•

300+ built-in functions

•

Simple 2D plotting (line, scatter)

•

Live syntax validation (red underlines for errors)

•

Execution tracing and console logging

•

Async code execution (non-blocking runs)

Limitations & Future Work

In Progress

•

Advanced plotting (3D, surfaces, subplots, figure handles)

•

Extensible package support (signal processing, optimization, etc.)

•

Some edge-case MATLAB semantics

Not Supported

•

Simulink or graphical block diagrams

•

MATLAB-specific file formats (.slx, .mlapp)

•

Java/COM interop

For a detailed list, see the language coverage guide and function reference. For workflow guides, browse resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about RunMat and MATLAB compatibility.

Is RunMat the same as MATLAB?⌄

No. RunMat is an independent project with an open-source runtime that executes MATLAB-syntax code. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by MathWorks, the makers of MATLAB.

Can I run my existing MATLAB scripts in RunMat?⌄

Many MATLAB scripts run without modification, especially those using core language features and common built-in functions. Scripts relying on specialized toolboxes or advanced features may need adjustments. Try your script in the sandbox to see what works.

Is RunMat really free?⌄

The RunMat runtime is open source under the MIT license. You can run MATLAB-syntax code in the browser or desktop without usage fees or time limits.

Do I need to create an account?⌄

No. The browser sandbox works immediately without sign-up. Creating an account is optional and only needed if you want cloud file persistence.

Does RunMat work offline?⌄

Yes. Once the sandbox page loads, it can run code without an internet connection. For full offline use with local file access, use the RunMat desktop app.

How does RunMat run code in the browser?⌄

RunMat compiles to WebAssembly, which runs natively in your browser at near-native speed. For GPU-accelerated operations, it uses WebGPU (available in Chrome and Edge).

Is my code private?⌄

Yes. Your code runs entirely on your device. Nothing is sent to a server unless you explicitly choose to save files to the cloud.

Can RunMat use my GPU?⌄

Yes, in browsers that support WebGPU (currently Chrome and Edge on most systems). RunMat automatically offloads eligible operations to the GPU for faster execution.

What’s the difference between RunMat and GNU Octave?⌄

Both run MATLAB-style syntax, but RunMat is designed for performance (JIT compilation, GPU acceleration) and runs natively in the browser. Octave is a mature desktop application with broader toolbox compatibility but no browser-native execution.

Is there a desktop version?⌄

Yes. The RunMat desktop app provides the same interface as the browser sandbox with full local file system access. See the download page.

Run MATLAB code online - no install, no license

Start running math immediately in your browser.

Launch the Sandbox