Chemometrics and Analytical Chemistry Tools

Multivariate analysis, without writing code.

Cactus is a cross-platform desktop application for chemometrics and tabular data analysis, built for teaching and for researchers who want to apply statistical and multivariate methods directly. It brings the whole workflow, from preprocessing to model validation, into a single interface, and your datasets are processed on your own machine.

Download for your system ↓ Read the user guide
License GPL-3.0 Price Free Sign-in Required Windows · macOS · Linux
The analysis pipeline

From raw table to validated model, in one application.

Cactus follows the order of a real chemometric study. Each stage is a dedicated module, and the output of one feeds directly into the next.

01

Import and edit

Load tabular datasets, manage variables and categories, handle missing values and build training and test splits.

CSVTXTXLSXmissing valuestrain / test split
02

Preprocessing

Correct instrumental and physical effects before modelling, with the transformations normally applied to spectra and chromatograms.

baselineSNVPQNcontinuum removalderivativesbinning
03

Visualization

Inspect the dataset through univariate, bivariate and multivariate plots in an interactive environment.

distributionsscatterbox plotsscore plots
04

Statistical exploration

Test assumptions and quantify differences between groups before moving to multivariate models.

descriptivenormality testst-testANOVAcorrelation
05

Unsupervised analysis

Reveal the structure of the data and identify groups and outliers without using class information.

PCAHCAK-meanst-SNE
06

Supervised modelling

Build and evaluate classification, regression and one-class models on the prepared dataset.

LDAQDAKNNPLS-DAMLRPCRPLSSIMCA
Data handling

Where your data stays.

Cactus contacts a server once, at start-up, to sign you in and verify the licence. From that moment on, nothing else is transmitted.

Over the network

Sign-in only

  • Account credentials at start-up
  • Licence verification
On your machine

Everything else

  • Your datasets, in full
  • Every preprocessing and modelling step
  • Models, parameters and validation results
  • Plots, tables and exported files

No information about the content of your data leaves the computer, which matters when working under confidentiality constraints, as in forensic and clinical applications. An internet connection is still required for the session, so the machine has to be online.

Download

Install Cactus on your machine.

The links below always point to the most recent GitHub release.

Windows

Windows 10 / 11

Download the installer and follow the setup wizard.

Download .exe
macOS

Apple Silicon

Download the DMG and drag Cactus into Applications. On first launch, right-click Cactus and choose Open.

Download .dmg
Linux

Ubuntu

Download the DEB package and install it with sudo apt install ./CactusSetup.deb.

Download .deb

System requirements

  • Windows 10 / 11
  • macOS on Apple Silicon
  • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later
  • Active internet connection

The connection is needed to sign in and verify the licence. See where your data stays.

Looking for a specific build? Browse all GitHub releases →

Documentation and citation

Everything you need to start, and to cite.

User guide

Cactus User Guide

Installation instructions and a detailed description of the workflow and of every analytical tool available in the application.

Open the guide Download PDF
How to cite

Citing Cactus

If you use Cactus in research, publications, presentations or teaching material, please cite the associated publication.

Full citation and DOI will be published here as soon as the associated article is available.
Custom development

Need Cactus to do something it does not do yet?

Cactus is free for the scientific and analytical community, and its public development focuses on features that benefit every user. For companies, laboratories and research groups with specific requirements, DataBloom develops dedicated versions.

Describe your case → DataBloom services
  • Dedicated algorithms and modules
  • Workflows adapted to your laboratory
  • Instrument and database integration
  • Validation support and internal training
Support

Report a problem or suggest an improvement.

Use whichever channel is most convenient. Both are read by the development team.

GitHub

Issues

Best for bug reports and feature requests that can be discussed, tracked and integrated into future releases.

Open an issue
Feedback form

Google Form

A simpler route if you prefer not to use GitHub. Useful for teaching feedback and general suggestions.

Open the form

Direct support and other enquiries: info_cactus@databloom.it. Cactus is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0.

Developed in collaboration with

Academic research and applied data science.

Cactus is developed by the Department of Chemistry of the University of Turin together with DataBloom S.r.l., combining research in chemometrics and analytical chemistry with software development.

University of Turin DataBloom