Installing Python

MNE-Python requires Python and several Python packages. MNE-Python version 1.9 requires Python version 3.10 or higher.

We recommend using a conda-based Python installation, such as Anaconda, Miniconda, or Miniforge. For new users we recommend our pre-built MNE-Python installers, which use conda environments under the hood.

Warning

Anaconda Inc., the company that develops the Anaconda and Miniconda Python distributions, changed their terms of service in March of 2024. If you’re unsure about whether your usage situation requires a paid license, we recommend using Miniforge or our pre-built installer instead. These options, by default, install packages only from the community-maintained conda-forge distribution channel, and avoid the distribution channels covered by Anaconda’s terms of service.

Other Python distributions

While conda-based CPython distributions provide many conveniences, other types of installation (pip / poetry, venv / system-level) and/or other Python distributions (PyPy) should also work with MNE-Python. Generally speaking, if you can install SciPy, getting MNE-Python to work should be unproblematic. Note however that we do not offer installation support for anything other than conda-based installations.