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MATLAB VS OpenSim

Compare MATLAB VS OpenSim and see what are their differences

MATLAB logo MATLAB

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

OpenSim logo OpenSim

State-of-the-art. simulation software. advancing research. in rehabilitation science. Performance.
  • MATLAB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-30

We recommend LibHunt MATLAB for discovery and comparisons of trending MATLAB projects.

  • OpenSim Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-15

MATLAB features and specs

  • Versatility
    MATLAB is versatile and can be used across a wide range of applications, including engineering, data analysis, robotics, and image processing.
  • Built-in Functions
    MATLAB comes with a vast library of built-in functions and toolboxes that simplify complex mathematical computations and data visualization tasks.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software offers an intuitive and user-friendly graphical interface that makes it accessible even for those who are not experts in programming.
  • Excellent Visualization
    MATLAB provides high-quality, customizable plots and graphs that facilitate the clear and effective presentation of data.
  • Strong Community and Support
    Users can benefit from extensive documentation, community forums, and customer support from MathWorks, which aids in troubleshooting and learning.
  • Integration Capabilities
    MATLAB integrates well with other programming languages like C, C++, and Java, and supports interfaces to SQL databases.

Possible disadvantages of MATLAB

  • Cost
    MATLAB is expensive to license, making it less accessible for small businesses, individual professionals, and students without institutional access.
  • Memory Usage
    MATLAB can be very memory-intensive, which could be a limitation when dealing with large datasets or running on devices with limited computational resources.
  • Speed
    Although MATLAB is efficient for rapid prototyping, it is generally slower in execution speed compared to compiled languages like C or Fortran, particularly for heavy computations.
  • Proprietary Nature
    Being a proprietary software, MATLAB does not offer the same level of transparency and flexibility that open-source alternatives provide.
  • Learning Curve
    For some new users, especially those who have no prior experience with numerical computing environments, it might have a steep learning curve.
  • Limited Cross-Platform Compatibility
    While MATLAB supports multiple operating systems, not all features and toolboxes are available on each platform, potentially limiting its utility in diverse environments.

OpenSim features and specs

  • Open-Source
    OpenSim is open-source software, allowing users to freely download, modify, and distribute it without any licensing fee. This encourages collaboration and innovation within the community.
  • Comprehensive Biomechanical Modeling
    OpenSim offers a detailed platform for biomechanical modeling and simulation, allowing researchers to create and analyze musculoskeletal models to study human and animal movement.
  • Wide Community Support
    The tool is supported by a wide community of users including researchers, educators, and professionals, providing extensive resources, discussions, and shared models.
  • Integration Capabilities
    OpenSim is capable of being integrated with other simulation and analysis tools, enhancing its utility in diverse research and application fields.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and user guides are available, helping new users to start quickly and efficiently with their projects.

Possible disadvantages of OpenSim

  • Complexity
    The software can be complex to use, especially for beginners, as it requires a steep learning curve to understand its full capabilities and effectively use its advanced features.
  • Computationally Intensive
    Running detailed simulations can be computationally demanding, requiring access to high-performance computing resources.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Unlike commercial software with dedicated support services, OpenSim relies largely on community support, which might not always meet the users' immediate needs.
  • Interface Limitations
    The user interface may not be as intuitive or user-friendly as some commercial counterparts, potentially slowing down workflow efficiency.
  • Niche Application
    Primarily focused on musculoskeletal modeling, OpenSim may have limited applications outside its specialized field, restricting its use to niche groups.

MATLAB videos

Matlab Review Part 1

More videos:

  • Review - The Complete MATLAB Course: Beginner to Advanced!
  • Tutorial - Complete MATLAB Tutorial for Beginners

OpenSim videos

Introducing OpenSim 3.0

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MATLAB and OpenSim)
Technical Computing
95 95%
5% 5
Numerical Computation
96 96%
4% 4
Data Visualization
91 91%
9% 9
3D
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare MATLAB and OpenSim

MATLAB Reviews

25 Best Statistical Analysis Software
MATLAB is an exceptional choice for individuals seeking to perform advanced statistical analysis and data visualization. Its high-level programming environment and comprehensive range of tools enable users to efficiently process, analyze, and visualize their data.
7 Best MATLAB alternatives for Linux
MATLAB is a programming language and numeric computing environment. It is used for solving mathematical problems and displaying the result graphically. MATLAB is a paid tool, they provide a free trial for one month.
15 data science tools to consider using in 2021
Developed and sold by software vendor MathWorks since 1984, Matlab is a high-level programming language and analytics environment for numerical computing, mathematical modeling and data visualization. It's primarily used by conventional engineers and scientists to analyze data, design algorithms and develop embedded systems for wireless communications, industrial control,...
The 16 Best Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms for 2021
Description: MathWorks MATLAB combines a desktop environment tuned for iterative analysis and design processes with a programming language that expresses matrix and array mathematics directly. It includes the Live Editor for creating scripts that combine code, output, and formatted text in an executable notebook. MATLAB toolboxes are professionally developed, tested, and...
Matlab Alternatives
Matrix Laboratory also known as MATLAB is a high-level programming language. It provides an interactive environment to perform computations in various fields such as mathematics, sciences and engineering streams. The results can be visualized and generated as reports for further analysis. Matlab is the pioneer in combining these things. A team of professionals develop the...
Source: www.educba.com

OpenSim Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenSim seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 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.

MATLAB mentions (0)

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

OpenSim mentions (4)

  • Is there some kind of CAD program you can design Mujoco MJCF XML files in?
    The most famous and complete free sim for actual natural body parts is https://simtk.org/projects/opensim. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How to use Motion Capture Data on OpenSim - Help!
    Hi, I take it you're meaning opensim which models musculoskeletal structures and creates dynamic simulations of movement rather than opensimulator. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: What problem are you close to solving and how can we help?
    My research specialty is biomechanics. For the arm motion thing, it sounds like you might want inverse kinematics or inverse dynamics. Take a look at OpenSim: https://simtk.org/projects/opensim For the oral appliance adjustment, I'm not sure what your output measures of interest are. If they're mechanical maybe you want to do a sensitivity analysis using FEA. Maybe look at FEBio: https://febio.org/ As for... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • OpenSim issues
    The first link you shared doesn’t take me to the same spot I downloaded the models from. This link: https://simtk.org/projects/opensim should take you to the home site. Click “download latest releases” drop down and select “models and examples”. This is how I got them, should be in a zip file under “modules”. Hope this helps! Also I have struggled with a lot of different issues using Opensim for gait Lab marker... Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing MATLAB and OpenSim, you can also consider the following products

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.

GNU Octave - GNU Octave is a programming language for scientific computing.

Scilab - Scilab Official Website. Enter your search in the box aboveAbout ScilabScilab is free and open source software for numerical . Thanks for downloading Scilab!

COMSOL Multiphysics - COMSOL is the developer of COMSOL Multiphysics software, an interactive environment for modeling and simulating scientific and engineering problems.

Autodesk Fusion 360 - Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation.

Enterprise Architect - Enterprise Architect - UML Design Tools and UML CASE tools for software development | Sparx Systems