OR-Tools vs. Hexaly
Constraint programming vs. the next-generation MIP solver. Explore performance on large-scale combinatorial problems such as routing, scheduling, and packing — where scalability and modeling expressiveness matter most.
OR-Tools vs. Hexaly
Explore our benchmarks against OR-Tools
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OR-Tools vs. Hexaly
What is the difference between Hexaly and OR-Tools?
OR-Tools is a suite of optimization libraries developed by Google, including the CP-SAT solver for combinatorial optimization and specialized solvers such as the Vehicle Routing (VRP) engine. It is widely used for constraint-based modeling and heuristic search on discrete problems.
Hexaly is a next-generation MIP solver that extends this approach by supporting both combinatorial and continuous optimization within a unified modeling framework. It enables richer models, including nonlinear expressions and high-level combinatorial structures, while delivering scalable performance on large and complex problems.
Is the Hexaly suite of products similar to OR-Tools?
OR-Tools is a collection of optimization libraries offering multiple solvers with different modeling APIs, including CP-SAT for combinatorial optimization and specialized engines such as routing.
Hexaly is built around a next-generation MIP solver and provides a unified modeling framework across combinatorial, continuous, and nonlinear optimization. Rather than combining separate tools, it allows problems to be expressed within a single, coherent model.
Beyond solving, Hexaly offers an integrated platform to prototype, develop, and deploy optimization applications, with tools such as Hexaly Studio and Hexaly Cloud supporting the full lifecycle from model to production.
Do I have to avoid or approximate continuous variables and expressions when modeling with Hexaly, as I do with OR-Tools?
No, you do not need to avoid or approximate continuous variables with Hexaly.
OR-Tools focuses primarily on combinatorial optimization, where continuous variables and nonlinear expressions are often approximated or not directly supported within the same modeling framework.
Hexaly provides a unified modeling approach that supports both discrete and continuous variables natively. You can express problems directly using standard mathematical operators such as min, max, logical expressions, and nonlinear functions, without complex approximations.
For discrete problems, Hexaly also offers high-level constructs such as set, list, and interval variables, enabling more compact and natural models compared to classical Boolean or integer formulations.
Hexaly further supports black-box optimization, allowing simulation or machine learning components to be integrated directly into optimization models. It natively supports lexicographic multi-objective optimization.
Does Hexaly outperform OR-Tools on all types of optimization problems?
No, Hexaly does not outperform OR-Tools on all types of optimization problems.
OR-Tools is highly effective for many combinatorial problems using constraint programming and SAT-based search, particularly when models fit well within that paradigm.
Hexaly focuses on large-scale and structurally complex optimization problems across industries such as transportation, logistics, energy, finance, and industrial systems, including applications such as pricing and media optimization, as well as engineering domains involving simulation-based or black-box models.
To provide a transparent view, we share benchmark results on selected problem families of practical interest, based on publicly available instances and well-studied formulations. Additional results across other domains will be published progressively.
Are my OR-Tools models compatible with Hexaly?
No, OR-Tools models are not directly compatible with Hexaly.
OR-Tools relies on constraint programming and SAT-based modeling approaches with specific APIs. Hexaly follows a different approach, providing a unified modeling framework that supports combinatorial, continuous, and nonlinear optimization within a single model.
To fully benefit from Hexaly’s performance and scalability, problems should be reformulated using its native modeling constructs. This typically results in more compact and expressive models, especially for structurally complex problems.
Hexaly provides intuitive modeling APIs in Python, Java, C#, and C++, designed to build optimization models naturally and integrate easily into modern software environments. Many examples and templates are available to help users get started quickly.
How does Hexaly’s technical support compare to OR-Tools?
OR-Tools is an open-source optimization toolkit and does not offer dedicated enterprise support.
At Hexaly, support is provided directly by the scientists and engineers who design the solver. Beyond technical expertise, they work hands-on with real-world optimization problems and help users model and solve them effectively.
Support includes assistance with modeling, answering technical questions, and reviewing models to ensure they follow best practices and achieve high performance.
Is Hexaly free like OR-Tools?
No, Hexaly is not free like OR-Tools.
OR-Tools is an open-source toolkit, while Hexaly is a commercial optimization solver designed for enterprise use.
Hexaly offers a simple unlimited license with a flat annual or quarterly fee. This removes restrictions on model size, usage, or deployment, allowing organizations to scale optimization across teams and applications without pricing constraints.
Hexaly also provides discounted pricing for startups and SMEs, and offers free access to students and academic users. For more details, see our pricing page or contact us.
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Testimonials
Are you in need of a powerful optimization solver to tackle complex problems like VRP, TSP, scheduling, and packing? Look no further than Hexaly! I’ve been using it daily, and it’s been an absolute game-changer. It’s not just lightning-fast and user-friendly—it’s incredibly flexible and can easily adapt to your specific needs. With its intuitive Studio, you can design use cases in under 20 lines of code. If you're searching for the fastest, most efficient optimization solver on the market, I wholeheartedly recommend Hexaly. Try it out and experience the results for yourself!
Building a bridge between Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) techniques and Operations Research demanded an optimization solver that could seamlessly combine ease of use with powerful performance. Hexaly Optimizer exceeded all expectations. Its intuitive and elegant mathematical formalism, coupled with lightning-fast, transparent algorithms, provided us with the ideal platform for designing optimized system architectures that met multi-perspective constraints. What truly stands out is how Hexaly's team guided us through the implementation of complex constraints, ensuring everything was tailored to our specific needs. I am truly grateful for their expertise and unwavering support throughout the project, making Hexaly Optimizer an essential tool in our success.
Hexaly revolutionizes the way we complete our patient transport missions, combining efficiency and precision to deliver exceptional schedules. Not only does it save us invaluable time—allowing us to focus on high-impact tasks—but it also enhances our tactical reasoning and medium-term resource planning. With Hexaly, we’re equipped to make smarter decisions and achieve greater results.
We developed the Pasco supply chain optimization model using Hexaly in just a few days, and the results have exceeded all expectations. Hexaly Optimizer delivered outstanding solutions, as praised by Pasco planners, in only a few minutes of run time—even with tens of millions of variables involved. Initially, we could not have imagined solving such a complex problem so efficiently, especially since industry-standard MILP solvers like CPLEX, Xpress, and Gurobi struggled to handle the problem in hours. Thanks to Hexaly's incredible speed and scalability, we now know that even the most challenging optimization tasks are within reach. The performance and capabilities of Hexaly Optimizer have truly transformed our approach to supply chain optimization.
Preparing Fret SNCF train drivers’ schedules is an intricate challenge, balancing numerous operational and regulatory constraints. Tackling such a highly combinatorial problem required a solver capable of mastering this complexity while delivering high-quality solutions quickly. Hexaly Optimizer proved to be the best tool on the market for the job. It empowers us to generate optimized schedules annually and adapt them seamlessly to evolving requirements, ensuring efficiency and compliance in an ever-changing environment.
I have worked with Hexaly on several large-scale optimization projects in highly dynamic environments, and it has consistently proven to be instrumental in delivering high-quality solutions within minutes, meeting the critical need for dynamic re-planning. The unique expressiveness of Hexaly’s modeling API, combined with the highly knowledgeable support team, makes Hexaly my go-to choice for tackling complex optimization problems. Their ability to adapt and respond quickly has been invaluable in ensuring our success across various challenging projects.
The speed, scalability, and unique nonlinear modeling features of Hexaly have enabled us to tackle a variety of problems that MILP solvers like Gurobi and Cplex couldn’t effectively solve. Hexaly Optimizer’s performance has far exceeded our expectations, especially in areas such as traveling salesman (TSP), vehicle routing (VRP), assignment and matching, and facility location problems. With Hexaly, we successfully optimized the entire supply chain network for our customer Argel, achieving an impressive 12% reduction in OPEX. The thorough and responsive support from Nikolas, Senior Optimization Scientist at Hexaly, has been invaluable in helping us make rapid progress on our projects. We are extremely impressed by Hexaly’s capabilities and the substantial impact it has had on our business.
Solving our complex routing problem became a breeze with Hexaly. Its high-level declarative language made tackling multiple constraints intuitive and straightforward. The lightning-fast performance of Hexaly Optimizer didn’t just speed up solving times—it unlocked the ability to run powerful what-if analyses, giving us deeper insights for fleet management decisions. Even the unpredictable, stochastic nature of the problem was no match, as we could simulate hundreds of scenarios in just minutes. Hexaly turned a challenging task into an opportunity for smarter, faster, and more confident decision-making.
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