RunMat
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RunMat for academia

Teach and publish MATLAB-syntax work without requiring MATLAB

RunMat gives students, educators, and researchers a free workspace for MATLAB-compatible code. Run supported assignments and research projects in the browser or on Desktop, and share code and results with colleagues and readers without requiring MATLAB.

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Teaching and research

Use MATLAB syntax for teaching and research

Use familiar matrix notation to explain a numerical method, explore a dataset, or test a research model. Share the project so others can work with the code and results.

Teaching and learning

Educators can share MATLAB-syntax examples and assignments. Students can run supported code, change parameters, and plot results as they learn numerical methods.

Academic research

Run numerical experiments and share the code, data, and figures in a research project that colleagues and readers can inspect in a browser.

Comparison

RunMat vs MATLAB for academic work

Compare how RunMat and MATLAB approach access, MATLAB-syntax work, browser execution, and shared computational projects.

Free access
RunMatStudents, educators, and researchers can use RunMat for free without academic verification or a campus agreement. Sign in to save projects and collaborate.
MATLABAccess may come through an institution or an individual purchase. MATLAB Online Basic also offers free use with a limited product set and monthly usage limits.
MATLAB-syntax coverage
RunMatCore MATLAB-compatible language, numerical, matrix, and plotting functionality, with expanding built-in and toolbox coverage. Follow the changelog, or check current compatibility.
MATLABThe complete MATLAB language and official MathWorks product environment.
Browser access
RunMatSupported projects can run locally in the browser. Desktop and CLI workflows are also available.
MATLABMATLAB Online runs in the browser; desktop MATLAB is also available under eligible licenses.
Public project access
RunMatAnyone with the link can open a public RunMat project, inspect it, and run supported code locally in the browser. No RunMat account or MATLAB license is required.
MATLABMATLAB Drive can expose files through a view-only link, but running the work requires a compatible MATLAB environment and access to the products it uses. The free basic tier is limited to 20 hours per month and 10 products.
Project sharing and history
RunMatShare code, data, figures, and variables in one project. Version and run history are available within the included history window. See current usage allowances.
MATLABMATLAB Drive shares files and folders. Recipients can preview a view-only link without an account, but they need a MathWorks Account to add the work to their files and compatible MATLAB access to run it.
Specialist workflows
RunMatNo Simulink, .slx, .mlapp, or blanket compatibility with specialist toolbox workflows.
MATLABMATLAB includes the complete language and connects to Simulink and a large catalogue of specialist products.
After leaving an institution
RunMatRunMat remains free after graduation or a change of institution. Access does not depend on university affiliation.
MATLABInstitution-provided access can change when affiliation or the institution's licensing arrangement changes.

MATLAB product and access details last verified: September 2026. Source links are collected in the FAQ below.

MATLAB to Python

Avoid a Python rewrite when MATLAB syntax still fits the work

Python removes licensing barriers and has a broad open-source package ecosystem. Moving an established course, laboratory, or research workflow also means translating code, adopting new environment practices, and revalidating results. RunMat lets you evaluate supported MATLAB-syntax work in the browser before committing to that rewrite.

Compare RunMat, GNU Octave, Python, and Julia
RunMat project-sharing dialog with public link visibility and copy-link controls

Public research

Publish code and results with one public link

A public RunMat project keeps the files and results behind one link. Readers can inspect code, data, figures, and variables, then run supported code locally in their browser without obtaining MATLAB.

Keep the computational project with the final figure.

Let readers inspect the state behind a result and run supported code without MATLAB.

Project review

Review course and research work in one project

Share assignments and research calculations with the files and figures that explain the result. Review available run history alongside the code.

Assignments and research files

Keep code, supporting files, variables, and figures in the same project for handoff and review.

Project history and snapshots

Return to saved project states within the included history window.

Previous runs

Inspect runs within the included history window alongside the files and state that produced them.

Runtime

Run supported work in the browser, on Desktop, and from the CLI

The same supported project can move between browser, Desktop, and terminal workflows without changing runtimes.

Browser and Desktop

Open supported course or research projects in the browser, or use Desktop when the work needs local files and hardware.

CLI and CI

Run supported .m files and project entrypoints from the terminal, batch jobs, or CI workflows.

CPU and GPU

RunMat plans suitable supported array work across CPU and GPU backends. Performance depends on the workload, so test a representative script.

Read how GPU execution works

FAQ

Questions about RunMat for academia

Free access, MATLAB compatibility, and sharing coursework and research.

Can students, educators, and researchers use RunMat for free?⌄
RunMat is free for students, educators, and researchers, including browser and Desktop projects, local files, and collaboration. RunMat includes allowances for Agent credits, cloud storage, and access to version and run history. Enterprise is a separate paid plan. See the pricing page for current usage allowances and Enterprise options.
Do I need an account or a university email address?⌄
No account is needed for the runtime, CLI, or browser sandbox. Sign in to save projects, collaborate, and use Desktop. A university email address and academic verification are not required.
Can I keep using RunMat after graduation?⌄
Yes. RunMat is free independently of university affiliation. You can continue using it after graduation or when moving between institutions, subject to current usage allowances.
Can I use my existing MATLAB code?⌄
RunMat is an independent runtime with core MATLAB-compatible language, numerical, matrix, and plotting functionality. Built-in and toolbox coverage is expanding; not every MATLAB function or product is available. Check the language coverage and built-in function reference for your project's requirements, and follow the changelog for additions.
Does a reviewer need MATLAB to use a public RunMat project?⌄
No. Readers can open a public RunMat project and run supported code locally in their browser without a RunMat account or MATLAB license. Shared history is subject to the included history window. MATLAB Drive supports view-only links, but running the shared code requires a compatible MATLAB environment and access to its required products. See MathWorks' MATLAB Drive sharing documentation. Last verified: September 2026.
How does RunMat compare with moving coursework or research to Python?⌄
Python has a broad open-source package ecosystem. Moving established MATLAB work to Python can require translating code, adopting new environment practices, and revalidating results. RunMat lets you evaluate supported MATLAB-syntax work before committing to that rewrite.
What MATLAB access is available to students and universities?⌄
Students may receive MATLAB through their university or buy student software. Campus-Wide agreements provide desktop and online products to eligible faculty, staff, students, and researchers. Access depends on the institution's agreement and eligibility rules. MATLAB Online Basic is also available for 20 hours per month with a limited product set. See MathWorks' student offerings, Campus-Wide access, and MATLAB Online versions. Last verified: September 2026.

Try RunMat with your coursework or research

Start free to save and share your projects, or try a MATLAB-syntax file in the browser sandbox.

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