Python is a scripting language, and matlab, as its name implies, is called "Mathematical Laboratory", which is a language specially designed for mathematical calculation. They have different application fields, different efficiency in special algorithms and different objects, so there is not much conflict between them. So python can't replace matlab.

By comparison, it will be found that using the simple operation and comprehensive mathematical function library (including signal processing, image processing, numerical analysis and other libraries) emphasized by matlab, researchers who are not good at programming can realize their own algorithms in the shortest time. However, it is inefficient and occupies huge resources, so it cannot be applied to commercial software development. Python has been positioned as a "development language" from the beginning, which has all the characteristics of a development language and is small and efficient (similar to JAVA). However, its basic library does not contain too many mathematical tools, and users need to reinstall them one by one. Moreover, it doesn't have so many functions of calculation, display and real-time adjustment in matlab.

So python can't replace the application of matlab in some fields.