RAxML is open-source command-line software for maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree inference, tree and alignment analyses, and evolutionary placement of short reads.
The manual and repository document tree searches, rapid bootstrapping, partitioned analyses, and short-read placement. It is free under GPL and supports parallel builds, but uses a command-line workflow. No public review ratings were verified; user sentiment is unscored.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
RAxML, short for Randomized Axelerated Maximum Likelihood, is software for inferring phylogenetic trees using maximum likelihood. The manual also documents tree and alignment analyses and evolutionary placement of short reads.
The project distributes source code through GitHub. RAxML is suited to users comfortable with command-line analysis and configuring computational resources. Its manual documents parallel build options, and its official site provides estimates of memory needs based on dataset characteristics.
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Researchers and bioinformatics teams running maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses on aligned DNA, protein, or other supported sequence data, especially where command-line or cluster workflows are appropriate.
Users seeking a supported graphical interface, guided setup, or a hosted product with vendor support. The project documents a command-line tool and says its author does not support the separate GUI, and should evaluate alternatives such as IQ-TREE or FastTree instead.
Linux, macOS
6.7/10
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
Teams expecting a maintained desktop interface may need to use a separately developed GUI or a web portal, each with its own support and workflow considerations.
Evidence source ↗Large alignments or model choices can require substantial memory, so users should estimate resource needs before running analyses on shared systems.
Evidence source ↗Open-source software available under GNU GPL. Users supply the computing environment for local execution; no paid plan or trial was listed by the project.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
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| License | GNU GPL |
|---|---|
| Software interface | Command line |
| Latest listed version | 8.2.13 |
| Native API | Not documented in the official materials reviewed |
| Deployment | Local installation or third-party web-service workflows |
| Verified platforms | Linux and macOS build materials |
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Installation or hosting | Open-source source code is available from GitHub. The README documents compiling Linux sequential, Pthreads, MPI, and hybrid variants; the repository also contains macOS Makefiles. Source ↗ |
|---|---|
| Web execution | The Exelixis Lab page links to external tree-building and sequence-placement web services, including CIPRES; these are not the same as a native hosted RAxML subscription. Source ↗ |
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
The manual and repository document tree searches, rapid bootstrapping, partitioned analyses, and short-read placement. It is free under GPL and supports parallel builds, but uses a command-line workflow. No public review ratings were verified; user sentiment is unscored.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 4 documented sources.
The RAxML v8.2 manual describes these principal functions.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11The peer-reviewed RAxML v8 paper lists the code availability and GNU GPL license.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11The GitHub releases page labels v8.2.13 as the latest release and describes ARM compatibility.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11The RAxML v8.2 manual describes the rapid bootstrap option, partition files, and sequence-placement functions.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11The published comparison reports IQ-TREE had the best-observed likelihoods across the tested concatenation datasets, with RAxML/ExaML close behind.
View source ↗Verified 2026-11-11Answers begin with the clearest available response, followed by the context that helps you act on it.
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