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MATLAB and Simulink are two products that work together. Simulink is a block diagram environment for multidomain simulation and Model-Based Design; you build a model by connecting blocks on a canvas, then run it from the Simulink Editor or from MATLAB. This guide is for researchers and analysts who know MATLAB scripts and want to know what Simulink adds, how to open it, and how to build and read a first model.
MATLAB vs Simulink: what Simulink adds
MathWorks describes Simulink as a block diagram environment for multidomain simulation and Model-Based Design, used to simulate a system before hardware exists. It works together with MATLAB: Simulink gives a graphical way to build the model, while MATLAB is used for parameter optimization, test and automation scripts, and analysing results. In other words, simulink matlab is not a choice between two tools; the same project can use both.
| If your work is mainly… | Start with | Why (per MathWorks product pages) |
|---|---|---|
| Textual programming, data analysis, scripted automation | MATLAB | MATLAB is used for analysis, test scripts and automation around a model. |
| A system you describe as connected components that is simulated over time | Simulink | Simulink is a block diagram environment for multidomain simulation. |
| Targeting hardware from a model | Simulink | Simulink supports code generation for C, C++, CUDA, PLC, Verilog and VHDL, aimed at microcontrollers, DSPs, GPUs and FPGAs. |
For the language itself, see What Is MATLAB Used For? and MATLAB indexing. Another simulation environment covered on this site is COMSOL Multiphysics.
Install or access Simulink with MATLAB
Simulink is opened from inside MATLAB, so you need a MATLAB installation or a MATLAB Online session that includes it. For desktop setup see MATLAB installation; for what a license covers, see MATLAB licensing. Install only from MathWorks.
Simulink Online
MathWorks offers Simulink Online for use in a browser. Sign in to MATLAB Online and either start Simulink or open an existing Simulink model; there is no separate Simulink login. MATLAB Drive provides 5 GB of storage for your files.
How to open Simulink in MATLAB
On the desktop, click the Simulink button in the MATLAB Toolstrip. The Simulink start page opens with New and Examples tabs. Choose the Blank Model template on the New tab to open an empty Simulink Editor, titled untitled.
Build and run a first Simulink model
This walkthrough follows the MathWorks tutorial Create a Simple Model (read 2026-11-07).
- Click Simulink in the MATLAB Toolstrip, then choose Blank Model on the New tab.
- On the Simulation tab choose Save > Save as and name the file, for example
simple_model. Simulink gives it the.slxextension. - Open the Library Browser from the Simulation tab. Use its search box to find blocks by name.
- Add a Pulse Generator (Sources), a Gain (Math Operations), a Second-Order Integrator (Continuous) and two Out1 blocks (Sinks). To set the gain value, double-click the Gain block and type it. Copy and paste blocks with Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V (command on macOS).
- Connect blocks by clicking the output port on the right of one block, then the chevron cue on the next block input.
- Set the Stop Time box on the Simulation tab (default 10.0).
- Run with Ctrl+T (command+T on macOS) or click Run on the Simulation tab.
Output and how to read it
Right-click a signal line and choose View in Data Inspector. In the Simulation Data Inspector, select Out1:1 to plot that signal against simulation time. Because Simulink works with MATLAB, you can also analyse results and script repeated runs from MATLAB.
FAQ
What is the difference between MATLAB and Simulink?
MATLAB is the programming and analysis environment; Simulink is a block diagram environment for simulation and Model-Based Design that runs together with it. MathWorks positions MATLAB for scripts, optimization and results analysis around Simulink models.
How do I open Simulink in MATLAB?
Click the Simulink button in the MATLAB Toolstrip, then pick Blank Model or an example from the start page.
Can I use Simulink with MATLAB in a browser?
Yes. Sign in to MATLAB Online and start Simulink or open an existing model; no separate Simulink login is needed.
What file does a Simulink model save as?
The .slx extension, added when you save from the Simulation tab.
Sources
- MathWorks, Create a Simple Model (Simulink documentation), read 2026-11-07.
- MathWorks, Getting Started with Simulink, read 2026-11-07.
- MathWorks, Simulink product page, read 2026-11-07.
- MathWorks, Simulink Online, read 2026-11-07.
