Home MATLAB for workplace?

I am currently a Student MATLAB user. Can I upgrade Student MATLAB to Home MATLAB? I understand that Home MATLAB can be used for profits or revenue-generating activities such as freelancing, but I am not sure if I can use MATLAB home in a workplace such as in a company where I work. I could be the only one who is using MATLAB in the company. In fact, I am not sure what exactly commercial uses of MATLAB are. Does it only mean using MATLAB in a commercial product? I am really confused.

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

I have not heard of provision for student MATLAB being upgraded to Home MATLAB; I can see some sense in doing so, but I am not aware of it being in the price book.

Home MATLAB is only for your personal projects, and cannot be used on company equipment. In most circumstances if you are using it in a workplace, you probably should not be.

But... if you get permission from the company to use the microscopes after hours, on your own time, and using your own computer, to make non-monetized YouTube videos of dancing tardigrades, that you post on a personal non-sponsored channel, then I don't think Mathworks would have any complaint.

[Myat Thu Aung]

Thank you for the answer. To be clear, I am talking about the use of MATLAB Home on my personal computer in a workplace.

[Walter Roberson]

Suppose you were an accountant, but on your lunch break, you did watercolors, or you solved Soduku. You provide the equipment, you aren't being paid, any benefit is entirely yours.

Now, if your hobby were, for example, working on a digital piano program during your lunch hour at a Chemical Engineering company, then Mathworks has no objection to you using a Home license to do that while you are "off the clock" and happen to be at work.

But if you are doing anything during time you are being paid for, or if the company is benefiting somehow, or if you are going to make money from the software somehow, or if you are going to write a research paper to publish using MATLAB, then Yes, Mathworks would care.

Like look at Grzegorz's response at https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/9073-what-is-your-unusual-use-of-matlab#answer_21624: if he had happened to take his Home computer to work to write that up during coffee break, that would have been fine. But Rohan's use was borderline, and sreedevi's would not have been valid with a Home license.

[Myat Thu Aung]

Thank you very much for a perfect explanation.

[Myat Thu Aung]

What about using MATLAB Home for freelance work? I think yes, because MATLAB Home is not prohibited for profits and revenue generating activities. What do you think?

[Stephen23]

" I think yes, because MATLAB Home is not prohibited for profits and revenue generating activities."

No. The Home license FAQ specifically excludes commercial activities:

https://www.mathworks.com/store/faq#home

https://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab-home.html

In case of doubt, call TMW and ask them. The "Contact Us" link is at the top of every page on this website.