Mathcad Prime: Free vs Paid
Mathcad Prime Express is a version of Mathcad Prime which allows you to use some functionality of the software without purchasing a license.
What is Mathcad Prime?
If this is your first look at Mathcad Prime, it is an engineering calculations software by PTC. It allows you to write out your calculations in natural math notation and with unit intelligence. It is a great way to document your engineering calculations in a professionally formatted document which can contain text, maths, images, and plots, all in one place.
How does Express work?
You can install Mathcad Prime without buying a license and it will be in Express mode. This free version is a slimmed-down version with limited features. If you were to have a professional license or a trial Mathcad license, then Mathcad would revert to Express mode at the end of your trial or your subscription period.
What are the benefits?
This is a great way to share your native Mathcad files with people who do not have a Mathcad Professional license. They would be able to open your Mathcad files. This is an alternative to sending them a PDF of your Mathcad worksheet. Worksheets created in the professional (full) version of Mathcad Prime can be opened in Mathcad Prime Express. You can edit text and any Maths that do not use Mathcad professional (premium) features can be edited and recalculated. However, editing any Maths that utilizes commercial functionality will cause a warning message to appear and the features will not calculate in Mathcad Prime Express.
What does Express include?
Here is a summary of the key features that you get within Mathcad Prime Express.
Natural math notations – The ability to clearly lay out your maths as if you were writing them on paper.
Unit Intelligence - One of the key features is Maths unit intelligence. Mathcad will recognise the units that you are using in calculations. It will automatically check these when calculations are performed so you can avoid errors.
Some built-in functions - You will have access to approximately 100 basic built-in functions (out of over 700 functions available in the full version).
Format Options - The ability to type and format text on the worksheet, although spell check is not included.
Plots - Only XY Plot graphs are included.
Areas - The area region is included. Areas are regions that can contain both math and text. It is also collapsible and can even be password protected when it is in a normal or collapsed state. It cannot be password protected in Express.
Read Excel Data - You can also read data from excel files into Mathcad. This data can then be used in calculations.
For further reference, we also have a feature-by-feature comparison of Mathcad 15 here. It is important to know that worksheets in Mathcad Prime Express display a watermark.
What to do next?
If you are interested in knowing more information about Mathcad, please look at the Mathcad resources page on our website for datasheets and capability comparisons. If you want to see videos of Mathcad being used, please look at our Mathcad videos page.
If you are looking to start a 30-day trial of Mathcad, you can find the forms for this on our website.
Find out More Information
To enquire about a Mathcad Prime commercial license please be sure to fill out the form below, and one of our Mathcad experts will get in contact with you shortly.