Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Mathcad VS Blockpad.net

Compare Mathcad VS Blockpad.net and see what are their differences

Mathcad logo Mathcad

Mathcad is engineering calculation software that drives innovation and offers significant process...

Blockpad.net logo Blockpad.net

Blockpad is spreadsheet software re-imagined for engineering. It gives engineers a better way to create, manage, and share critical calculations.
  • Mathcad Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-06
Not present

Blockpad is spreadsheet software re-imagined for engineering calculations. It enables engineers to create professional calculation deliverables in an intuitive and familiar way.

The primary interface feels like a traditional word processor, but pressing the equals sign opens up a formula like in a spreadsheet. This formula is then calculated and presented in clear math notation so that the math is readable and not hidden behind a cell. Also like a spreadsheet, these formulas update whenever numbers change.

The formulas also employ many engineering friendly features: - units intelligence - variable names - matrix math - custom functions

The documents themselves are more than just word processors, and include tools that make engineering calculations easier: - spreadsheet-style tables - actual spreadsheets - point snap drawings - solver sections

Also, the various parts of a document can all connect together using spreadsheet-style formulas and references, so that a whole document can update when the numbers change.

Because Blockpad feels like the office and calculation tools you already know, the learning curve can be pretty short. The math is just like spreadsheet math, and the functions are the same too. So it's easy to get started and creating calculation documents you're proud to share.

Mathcad features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Mathcad provides a user-friendly interface that allows for natural mathematical notation, making it easy for users to express complex equations and perform calculations without extensive programming knowledge.
  • Unit Management
    Mathcad features a robust unit management system that helps prevent errors by allowing users to work with units throughout calculations, ensuring that unit conversions and compatibility are handled automatically.
  • Live Mathematical Worksheets
    Mathcad offers live worksheets where equations update dynamically with changes in data or parameters, allowing for interactive exploration and quick iteration on solutions.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    Mathcad can integrate with other software tools and platforms such as CAD systems and databases, facilitating seamless workflows and data exchange across engineering and design processes.
  • Comprehensive Documentation Capabilities
    Mathcad allows users to combine calculations with text, graphs, and images in a single document, making it easy to create comprehensive and well-organized documentation for projects and analyses.

Possible disadvantages of Mathcad

  • Cost
    Mathcad can be relatively expensive, especially for individual users or small businesses, as it requires purchasing licenses for full access, potentially limiting its accessibility for budget-conscious users.
  • Limited Programming Features
    While Mathcad is excellent for straightforward calculations and visualizations, it lacks some of the advanced programming capabilities found in other mathematical software like MATLAB or Mathematica, which may be necessary for more complex projects.
  • Performance with Large Datasets
    Mathcad may struggle with performance issues when handling very large datasets or highly complex computations, which can limit its applicability for certain data-intensive tasks.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Mathcad may encounter compatibility issues when interacting with newer technologies or specific file formats, which can hinder interoperability with other tools or systems that utilize different software standards.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although basic functionalities are easy to learn, mastering the more advanced features of Mathcad requires a significant investment of time and effort, which may be challenging for users who need quick solutions.

Blockpad.net features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Blockpad.net offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users at all skill levels.
  • Efficient Collaboration
    The platform allows seamless collaboration among team members, enhancing productivity and ensuring transparency in project management.
  • Data Security
    Blockpad.net provides robust security features to protect user data and ensure privacy, giving users peace of mind while using the platform.
  • Customizable Templates
    Users have access to a variety of customizable templates, allowing for tailored solutions to meet specific project needs and requirements.

Possible disadvantages of Blockpad.net

  • Limited Integrations
    Blockpad.net offers fewer integrations with third-party applications compared to some of its competitors, which may limit its usability for certain users.
  • Subscription Costs
    While there is a free version available, access to premium features requires a subscription, which might not be suitable for small businesses or individuals on a tight budget.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although the basic features are user-friendly, mastering some of the more advanced functionalities can be challenging for new users.
  • Mobile App Limitations
    The mobile version of the platform doesn't offer the full functionality available on the desktop, potentially hindering on-the-go project management.

Mathcad videos

PRE-COURSE: WHY USE MATHCAD? Intro to Mathcad for Engineers

More videos:

  • Review - MathCAD Prime 2.0 Review
  • Review - Introduction to MathCAD for Engineers

Blockpad.net videos

No Blockpad.net videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Mathcad and Blockpad.net)
Technical Computing
72 72%
28% 28
Engineering Calculator
43 43%
57% 57
Numerical Computation
75 75%
25% 25
Spreadsheets
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Mathcad and Blockpad.net. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Mathcad and Blockpad.net

Mathcad Reviews

10 Best MATLAB Alternatives [For Beginners and Professionals]
Another alternative to MATLAB is Mathcad. it has easy integration with Microsoft Excel. The feature can be utilized to directly load the dataset or showcase your work.

Blockpad.net Reviews

We have no reviews of Blockpad.net yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Blockpad.net seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 10 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Mathcad mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Mathcad yet. Tracking of Mathcad recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Blockpad.net mentions (10)

  • Ask HN: Help me find spreadsheet software I found on HN
    I remember seeing an app that has a canvas, and on it you put individual 'sheets' or tables. You can reference between them as normal, drag and drop them around. The screenshots _may_ have shown math being entered too, I can't recall. Because my calculations are made up of many mini-calculations this seems a much better idea than the normal Excel style of multiple tables on one sheet, as adding a row doesn't... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Ask HN: Software to Write Engineering Calculations?
    I don't personally use it, but you might find Blockpad interesting https://blockpad.net/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Mathics: A free, open-source alternative to Mathematica
    In that space, https://blockpad.net/ is interesting also. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Hand Calculations - What works best for you?
    I work at Blockpad, and we have a lot of structural engineering customers that love it. It's sort of like Mathcad+Excel, inside of Word. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How to Excel in Tech Without Learning to Code
    For engineers Blockpad (http://blockpad.net) is making a good case for itself as an Excel replacement. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Mathcad and Blockpad.net, you can also consider the following products

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

SMath Studio - Tiny, powerful, free mathematical program with WYSIWYG editor and complete units of measurements support.

Maxima - Maxima is a fairly complete computer algebra system written in Lisp with an emphasis on symbolic computation.

PTC Mathcad - PTC Mathcad PTC Mathcad is Engineering Math Software That Allows You to Perform, Analyze, and Share Your Most Vital Calculations.

Wolfram Mathematica - Mathematica has characterized the cutting edge in specialized processing—and gave the chief calculation environment to a large number of pioneers, instructors, understudies, and others around the globe.

EngineeringPaper.xyz - Online app for engineering calculations. Solves systems of equations, checks and converts units automatically, supports plotting, and allows for the creation of a link to share your work. Free and open source, no registration required.