Find your next solver
A curated index of Operations Research resources — solvers, courses, books, datasets, communities and more. Classified by type, topic and audience.
- Annals of Operations ResearchJournal
The journal publishes 24 issues a year that focus on the theoretical, practical, and computational aspects of operations research
- BARONSolver
BARON is the industry-leading solver for mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP).
- BKS ChallengeChallenge
The CVRPLIB team announces the CVRPLIB BKS Challenge, a 30-day competition aimed at finding extremely high-quality solutions for the new XL benchmark set, 100 challenging CVRP instances ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 customers.
- Ceres SolverSolver
Ceres Solver is an open source C++ library for modeling and solving large, complicated optimization problems. It can be used to solve Non-linear Least Squares problems with bounds constraints and general unconstrained optimization problems.
- CG:SHOPChallenge
The CG:SHOP Challenge (Computational Geometry: Solving Hard Optimization Problems) is an annual competition dedicated to tackling specific, difficult geometric optimization problems. Originally established as a workshop at Computational Geometry Week (CG Week) in 2019, the Challenge provides a unique platform where the success of proposed solutions is measured based on computational performance on a set of carefully selected benchmark instances. This focus on empirical evaluation marks a shift from traditional computational geometry research, which often emphasizes theoretical approaches.
- Choco solverSolver
An Open-Source java library for constraint programming
- ChuffedSolver
Chuffed is a state of the art lazy clause solver designed from the ground up with lazy clause generation in mind.
- ClarabelSolver
http://clarabel.rs/ is a Rust implementation of an interior point numerical solver for convex optimization problems using a novel homogeneous embedding.
- COMAP contestsChallenge
Consortium for Mathematics and its applications
- COMAP mcm-icmChallenge
COMAP's Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) and Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM) are international contests for high school students and college undergraduates. The contests challenge teams of up to three students to analyze, model, solve, and present solution reports to an open-ended application problem. In these contests research, analytics, and applied intelligence are just as important as time management and problem selection. Are you and your team up to it?
- Computers & Operations ResearchJournal
Operations research and computers interact in many scientific fields of vital importance to our society. These include, among others, transportation, economics, investment strategy, inventory control, logistics, safety, reliability, urban planning, and ecology. Computers & Operations Research (COR) provides an international forum for the application of computers and operations research techniques to problems in these and related fields.
- CONOPTSolver
CONOPT is a feasible path solver based on advanced active set methods, particularly suited for large and sparse models.
- COPTSolver
A mathematical optimization solver for large-scale optimization problems. It is independently developed by Cardinal Operations, and it includes high-performance solvers for LP, MIP, SDP, (MI)SOCP, convex (MI)QP, convex (MI)QCP and exponential cone programming.
- CPLEXSolver
The IBM ILOG CPLEX Optimizer solves integer programming problems, very large[3] linear programming problems using either primal or dual variants of the simplex method or the barrier interior point method, convex and non-convex quadratic programming problems, and convex quadratically constrained problems (solved via second-order cone programming, or SOCP).
- cuOptSolver
Achieve world-record speed on large-scale problems with millions of constraints and variables—saving time and reducing costs.
- Decision Management Community challengesChallenge
Community for Decision Management, including Machine Learning and Optimization
- DIMACS challengeChallenge
Challenges from the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science
- Discrete Applied MathematicsJournal
Journal covering algorithmic and applied areas of discrete mathematics
- European Journal of Operational ResearchJournal
It is a peer-reviewed academic journal in operations research. It was founded in 1977 by the Association of European Operational Research Societies
- FICO XpressSolver
The FICO Xpress optimizer is a commercial optimization solver for linear programming (LP), mixed integer linear programming (MILP), convex quadratic programming (QP), convex quadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP), second-order cone programming (SOCP) and their mixed integer counterparts. Xpress includes a general purpose non-linear solver, Xpress NonLinear, including a successive linear programming algorithm (SLP, first-order method), and Artelys Knitro (second-order methods).
- GCGSolver
GCG is a generic decomposition solver for mixed-integer programs (MIPs). It automatically performs a Dantzig-Wolfe reformulation and runs a full-fledged branch-price-and-cut algorithm to solve it to optimality. Alternatively, GCG is able to automatically apply a Benders decomposition.
- GecodeSolver
Gecode is an open source C++ toolkit for developing constraint-based systems and applications. Gecode provides a constraint solver with state-of-the-art performance while being modular and extensible.
- GLPKSolver
For solving large-scale linear programming (LP), mixed integer programming (MIP), and other related problems. It is a set of routines written in ANSI C and organized in the form of a callable library.
- Grid Optimization competitionChallenge
Grid Optimization challenges for electric systems
- GurobiSolver
Gurobi Optimizer is a prescriptive analytics platform and a decision-making technology developed by Gurobi Optimization, LLC. The Gurobi Optimizer (often referred to as simply, “Gurobi”) is a solver, since it uses mathematical optimization to calculate the answer to a problem.
- HexalySolver
Heuristic-based solver with great results in complex problems
- HiGHSSolver
HiGHS is open-source software to solve linear programming (LP), mixed-integer programming (MIP), and convex quadratic programming (QP) models.
- HSL ma27Solver
To solve a sparse symmetric system of linear equations.
- HuubSolver
Huub is a Lazy Clause Generation (LCG) solver with a focus on modularity and maintainability in addition to speed. LCG solvers are a class of solvers that can be used to solve decision and optimization problems. They are characterized by their ability to dynamically add new Boolean variables and clauses to a Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) solver during the search process
- InsideOptSolver
Optimization software that leverages machine learning to provide unparalleled performance.
- International Transactions in Operational ResearchJournal
It is a peer-reviewed academic journal which is published six times a year by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies. The editorial mission of the journal is to advance the theory and practice of Operational Research and Management Science internationally
- IpoptSolver
Ipopt (Interior Point Optimizer, pronounced "Eye-Pea-Opt") is an open source software package for large-scale nonlinear optimization. It can be used to solve general nonlinear programming problems
- jMetalSolver
jMetal is a Java-based framework for multi-objective optimization with metaheuristics.
- Kaggle Optimization ChallengesChallenge
Challenges around TSP variant with Santa Claus
- KalisSolver
An innovative constraints programming component able to solve quickly and efficiently a wide range of combinatorial problems relying on an interactive and user-friendly hybrid framework including constraint programming, mixed-integer programming and artificial intelligence.
- KNITROSolver
The most advanced solver for nonlinear optimization.
- Land-Doig CompetitionChallenge
The 2026 Land-Doig MIP Competition is a computational competition hosted by the 2026 Mixed Integer Programming Workshop, offering an opportunity for teams to showcase their practical and computational prowess and fostering innovation in computational MIP. It is named in honor of Ailsa H. Land and Alison G. Harcourt (née Doig), who proposed the first LP-based branch-and-bound algorithm.
- LGOSolver
LGO is capable of determining high-quality solutions to global optimization problems that have (possibly many) locally optimal solutions. Because LGO makes only limited assumptions as to problem structure and differentiability, it can be applied in a broad range of design and operational applications.
- LINGOSolver
LINGO includes a set of built-in solvers to tackle a wide variety of problems. Unlike many modeling packages, all of the LINGO solvers are directly linked to the modeling environment.
- LOQOSolver
LOQO is a powerful solver for smooth constrained optimization problems, based on interior-point method applied to a sequence of quadratic approximations. Subject to the requirement that the defining functions be smooth (at the points evaluated by the algorithm), LOQO can handle a range of problems: linear or nonlinear, convex or nonconvex, constrained or unconstrained. For convex problems, LOQO finds a globally optimal solution; otherwise, it iterates from the given starting point to find a locally optimal solution.
- lpsolveSolver
A Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) solver.
- Mathematics Of Operations ResearchJournal
It is a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal established in February 1976. It focuses on areas of mathematics relevant to the field of operations research such as continuous optimization, discrete optimization, game theory, machine learning, simulation methodology, and stochastic models. The journal is published by INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences)
- MINOSSolver
MINOS is an established choice for both linear and nonlinear optimization problems. It incorporates proven methods for large-scale sparse nonlinear constraints, and its methods are especially effective for nonlinear objectives subject to linear and near-linear constraints.
- MOPTA challengeChallenge
Annual challenges from the University of Lehigh
- MosekSolver
Solves your LPs, QPs, SOCPs, SDPs, and MIPs. Includes interfaces to C, C++, Java, MATLAB, .NET, Python, Julia, Rust and R.
- NevergradSolver
A gradient-free optimization platform.
- NLoptSolver
NLopt is a free/open-source library for nonlinear optimization, providing a common interface for a number of different free optimization routines available online as well as original implementations of various other algorithms.
- Operations ResearchJournal
Journal about Operations Research from INFORMS
- Operations Research LettersJournal
It is a bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal covering operations research. It was established in 1981
- OPTIL.ioChallenge
Challenges with different optimization problems
- OSQPSolver
The OSQP (Operator Splitting Quadratic Program) solver is a numerical optimization package for solving convex quadratic programs.
- PACE challengeChallenge
Challenge from Parameterized Algorithms and Computational Experiments Challenge to bridge the gap between theory and practice of algorithms
- PATHSolver
The PATH solver for MCP models is a Newton-based solver that combines a number of the most effective variations, extensions, and enhancements of this powerful technique.
- PATHNLPSolver
PATHNLP is a solver for large nonlinear programming problems that builds on the PATH algorithm, extending it from mixed complementarity problems to general NLPs. PATHNLP is distributed through the GAMS ecosystem.
- ROADEF challengeChallenge
Bi-annual challenges from the French Operational Research (OR) and Decision Support Society. 2026: https://gitlab.com/Orange-OpenSource/network-optimization-tools/challenge-roadef-2026/-/tree/main/sprint_results
- SBBSolver
SBB is a GAMS solver for Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) models. It is based on a combination of the standard Branch and Bound (B&B) method known from Mixed Integer Linear Programming and some of the standard NLP solvers already supported by GAMS. SBB can use all GAMS NLP solvers as subsolvers but it works best with NLP solvers that can utilize a near optimal point as a starting point like Conopt, Minos, and Snopt.SBB supports all types of discrete variables supported by GAMS, including Binary, Integer, Semicont, Semiint, Sos1, and Sos2.
- SCIPSolver
SCIP is currently one of the fastest non-commercial solvers for mixed integer programming (MIP) and mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP). It is also a framework for constraint integer programming and branch-cut-and-price.
- SCSSolver
SCS (Splitting Conic Solver) is a numerical optimization package for solving large-scale convex quadratic cone problems. The code is freely available on https://github.com/cvxgrp/scs. It solves primal-dual problems.
- Shell AI challengeChallenge
Annual challenges organized by Shell AI team.
- SHOTSolver
SHOT (Supporting Hyperplane Optimization Toolkit) is a deterministic solver for mixed-integer nonlinear programming problems (MINLPs). Originally, SHOT was intended for convex MINLP problems only, but now also has functionality to solve nonconvex MINLP problems as a heuristic method without providing any guarantees of global optimality. SHOT can solve certain nonconvex problem types to global optimality as well.
- SMIO ChallengeChallenge
Optimization competition organized by the Mexican Society of Operations Research (SMIO).
- SNOPTSolver
A software package for solving large-scale optimization problems (linear and nonlinear programs). It employs a sparse SQP algorithm with limited-memory quasi-Newton approximations to the Hessian of Lagrangian. SNOPT is especially effective for nonlinear problems whose functions and gradients are expensive to evaluate.
- Timefold AISolver
Updated fork from OptaPlanner
- UnoSolver
Uno (Unifying Nonlinear Optimization) is a C++ library that unifies methods for solving nonlinearly constrained optimization problems.
- VeRoLogChallenge
Vehicle Routing and Logistics work group from EURO
- Z3Solver
Z3 is a theorem prover from Microsoft Research.