Ceres Solver

What it is

Ceres Solver is a powerful library for modeling and solving large complicated nonlinear least squares problems. It is used in various applications including computer vision, robotics, and machine learning.

Ceres Solver stands out as a highly optimized and versatile library specifically designed for nonlinear least squares problems, offering extensive features and performance optimizations.

When it fits — and when it doesn’t

Known weaknesses

Each one links to the public issue, changelog or docs page it came from, where we have one.

1. 01

   Steep learning curve for new users

   Ceres Solver's API and documentation assume a deep understanding of nonlinear optimization concepts.

2. 02

   Limited language support beyond C++

   Primary development is in C++, with limited or no direct support for other languages, which can be a barrier for non-C++ developers.

3. 03

   Complex setup and configuration process

   Setting up the environment requires detailed knowledge of build systems like CMake and dependencies management.

4. 04

   Performance can degrade with poorly formulated problems

   The solver's performance is highly dependent on how well the problem is formulated, which can lead to suboptimal results if not carefully tuned.

What it does well

• Robust nonlinear least squares solver

• Support for unconstrained optimization problems

• High-performance and scalable

• Extensive documentation and examples

Pricing

Free tier

YesOpen source — free to use

Paid from

$0

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise plan

No

Pricing not independently confirmed — check the vendor’s page.