# Best Simulation & CAE Software for Small Business - Page 2

  *By [Daniel Rivera](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/daniel-rivera)*

   Products classified in the overall Simulation & CAE category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, small business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Small Business Simulation & CAE to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Small Business Simulation & CAE category.

In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the Simulation & CAE Software category, to qualify for inclusion in the Small Business Simulation & CAE Software category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from a small business.




  
## How Many Simulation & CAE Software Products Does G2 Track?
**Total Products under this Category:** 263

### Category Stats (May 2026)
- **Average Rating**: 4.34/5
- **New Reviews This Quarter**: 85
- **Buyer Segments**: Small-Business 45% │ Mid-Market 40% │ Enterprise 15%
- **Top Trending Product**: Ansys Forte (+0.109)
*Last updated: May 18, 2026*

  
## How Does G2 Rank Simulation & CAE Software Products?

**Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:**

- 30 Analysts and Data Experts
- 7,600+ Authentic Reviews
- 263+ Products
- Unbiased Rankings

G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category.

  
  
  ## What Are the Top-Rated Simulation & CAE Software Products in 2026?
### 1. [Ansys HFSS](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-hfss/reviews)
  Ansys HFSS is a 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation software for designing and simulating high-frequency electronic products such as antennas, antenna arrays, RF or microwave components, high-speed interconnects, filters, connectors, IC packages and printed circuit boards. Engineers worldwide use Ansys HFSS software to design high-frequency, high-speed electronics found in communications systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), satellites, and internet-of-things (IoT) products . HFFS’s unmatched capacity, coupled with indisputable accuracy, enables engineers to address RF, microwave, IC, PCB and EMI problems for most complex systems. Quick specs include: - Antenna Design Toolkit - Radar Pre/Post Processing - Frequency and Time Domain FEM - Hybrid FEM/IE/SBR+ Solver - 3D Layout ECAD Flow - SBR+ Accelerated Doppler Processing\* - Integral Equation (MoM) - Memory Matrix Solvers - 5G Post-Processing - Concurrent Initial 3D Meshing - SBR+ for Large Scale EMs - Multiplication Solver \* available only with Electronics Enterprise package


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 36
**How Do G2 Users Rate Ansys HFSS?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 7.7/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Ansys HFSS?**

- **Seller:** [Ansys, Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ansys-inc)
- **Year Founded:** 1970
- **HQ Location:** Canonsburg, PA
- **Twitter:** @ANSYS (30,734 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/6536/ (6,703 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ:ANSS

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing, Higher Education
  - **Company Size:** 45% Small-Business, 28% Mid-Market


### 2. [Azore CFD](https://www.g2.com/products/azore-cfd/reviews)
  For more than 20 years, Azore has been a trusted, cutting edge Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software tool for flow, heat transfer, and species mixing applications. It is a control volume solver that can use polyhedral, hex, or tetrahedral mesh topologies. Azore includes a pre/post processing GUI for model set up and results analysis. Training tools include an ever growing robust library of training videos through the Azore website and YouTube, Webinars, and training classes. Primary Applications for Azore CFD: - Industrial flows - Aerodynamics - Thermal mixing - Conjugate heat transfer - Gas species mixing - HVAC system design - Flow and pressure drop optimization - Internal or external flows Why Azore CFD? - Versatile operation - Windows, Linux, or Mac OS - HPC parallel processing - Cost-effective CFD tool, import your mesh and run your analysis in parallel - Trusted numerical methods - Flexible and cost-conscious subscriptions - Faster simulations - Easy to use - Developed by engineers for engineers Azore Software, LLC, provider of practical CFD that you can trust, is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. Developed, validated, and employed for more than 20 years by parent company Airflow Sciences Corporation for it’s own industrial work, the code is based on the same numerical algorithms that have been validated for years in commercial and public domain software. See why fluid dynamics engineers have chosen to use Azore CFD on projects worldwide by starting your FREE 30 DAY TRIAL today.


  **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 18
**How Do G2 Users Rate Azore CFD?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 7.4/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Azore CFD?**

- **Seller:** [Azore Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/azore-software)
- **Company Website:** https://www.azorecfd.com
- **Year Founded:** 2007
- **HQ Location:** Livonia, MI
- **Twitter:** @AzoreCFD (32 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/azore-software-llc (14 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Company Size:** 79% Small-Business, 21% Mid-Market


#### What Are Azore CFD's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Ease of Use (7 reviews)
- Data Visualization (4 reviews)
- Post-Processing (3 reviews)
- Accuracy (2 reviews)
- Setup Ease (2 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Meshing Issues (4 reviews)
- Lack of Features (2 reviews)
- Difficult Learning (1 reviews)
- Error Management (1 reviews)
- Insufficient Tutorials (1 reviews)

### 3. [Simulink](https://www.g2.com/products/simulink/reviews)
  Simulink is a block diagram environment for multidomain simulation and Model-Based Design. It supports system-level design, simulation, automatic code generation, and continuous test and verification of embedded systems. Simulink provides a graphical editor, customizable block libraries, and solvers for modeling and simulating dynamic systems. It is integrated with MATLAB, enabling you to incorporate MATLAB algorithms into models and export simulation results to MATLAB for further analysis. Key Features: - Graphical editor for building and managing hierarchical block diagrams - Libraries of predefined blocks for modeling continuous-time and discrete-time systems - Simulation engine with fixed-step and variable-step ODE solvers - Scopes and data displays for viewing simulation results - Project and data management tools for managing model files and data - Model analysis tools for refining model architecture and increasing simulation speed - MATLAB Function block for importing MATLAB algorithms into models - Legacy Code Tool for importing C and C++ code into models Primary Value: Simulink enables engineers and scientists to design, simulate, and test complex systems within a unified environment, facilitating early detection of design issues and reducing development time. By integrating with MATLAB, it allows for seamless incorporation of algorithms and data analysis, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of system development. Simulink's support for automatic code generation and continuous verification streamlines the transition from design to implementation, ensuring robust and reliable embedded systems.


  **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 95
**How Do G2 Users Rate Simulink?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.4/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Simulink?**

- **Seller:** [MathWorks](https://www.g2.com/sellers/mathworks)
- **Year Founded:** 1984
- **HQ Location:** Natick, MA
- **Twitter:** @MATLAB (105,136 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/1194036/ (7,860 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Automotive
  - **Company Size:** 42% Enterprise, 37% Mid-Market


### 4. [Ansys Icepak](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-icepak/reviews)
  Ansys Icepak provides powerful electronic cooling solutions that utilize the industry leading Ansys Fluent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver for thermal and fluid flow analyses of integrated circuits (ICs), packages, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic assemblies. The Ansys Icepak CFD solver uses the Ansys Electronics Desktop (AEDT) graphical user interface (GUI). Perform conduction, convection and radiation conjugate heat transfer analyses, with many advanced capabilities to model laminar and turbulent flows, and species analysis including radiation and convection. Some of the product specs: - MCAD and ECAD Support - Solar radiation - Parametrics and Optimization - Customization and Automation - Network Modeling - DC Joule Heating Analysis - Electro-thermal and Thermo-Mechanical - Extensive Libraries for Thermal - Liquid Cooling - Dynamic Thermal Management - Varying Flow and Power ROM


  **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 22
**How Do G2 Users Rate Ansys Icepak?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 7.6/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Ansys Icepak?**

- **Seller:** [Ansys, Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ansys-inc)
- **Year Founded:** 1970
- **HQ Location:** Canonsburg, PA
- **Twitter:** @ANSYS (30,734 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/6536/ (6,703 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ:ANSS

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 48% Small-Business, 36% Enterprise


### 5. [Mathematica](https://www.g2.com/products/mathematica/reviews)
  Mathematica is a computational software program based on symbolic mathematics, developed by Wolfram Research.


  **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 86
**How Do G2 Users Rate Mathematica?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 5.8/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Mathematica?**

- **Seller:** [Wolfram Research](https://www.g2.com/sellers/wolfram-research)
- **Year Founded:** 1987
- **HQ Location:** Champaign, US
- **Twitter:** @WolframResearch (68,676 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/10199/ (638 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Who Uses This:** Research Assistant
  - **Top Industries:** Research, Information Technology and Services
  - **Company Size:** 45% Enterprise, 31% Small-Business


### 6. [SolidWorks Simulation](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-solidworks-simulation/reviews)
  SolidWorks Simulation is a comprehensive suite of analysis tools integrated within the SolidWorks CAD environment, enabling engineers and designers to virtually test and validate their designs under real-world conditions. By simulating physical behaviors such as stress, strain, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics, users can identify potential issues early in the design process, reducing the need for costly physical prototypes and accelerating time to market. Key Features and Functionality: - Structural Analysis: Evaluate the strength and durability of components and assemblies under various loading conditions to ensure product reliability. - Thermal Analysis: Simulate heat transfer and thermal effects to optimize product performance in varying temperature environments. - Fluid Flow Analysis: Analyze fluid dynamics to assess the impact of liquid and gas flows on product design and functionality. - Motion Analysis: Study the movement of assemblies to predict mechanical behavior and identify potential operational issues. - Fatigue Analysis: Predict product lifespan by assessing how repeated loading and unloading cycles affect material integrity over time. - Optimization Tools: Automatically refine designs to meet specified performance criteria, enhancing efficiency and innovation. Primary Value and Problem Solving: SolidWorks Simulation empowers users to make informed design decisions by providing accurate, real-time insights into product performance. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of design flaws, reduces development costs, and shortens the product development cycle. By integrating simulation directly into the design process, SolidWorks Simulation helps ensure that products meet quality standards and perform as intended in real-world applications.


  **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 58
**How Do G2 Users Rate SolidWorks Simulation?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 7.6/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind SolidWorks Simulation?**

- **Seller:** [Solidworks](https://www.g2.com/sellers/solidworks)
- **Year Founded:** 1993
- **HQ Location:** Waltham, MA
- **Twitter:** @SOLIDWORKS (178,798 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/solidworks/ (1 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** EPA: DSY

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Design
  - **Company Size:** 48% Mid-Market, 42% Small-Business


#### What Are SolidWorks Simulation's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Ease of Use (4 reviews)
- Intuitive Use (2 reviews)
- Meshing Techniques (2 reviews)
- Accuracy (1 reviews)
- Assembly Design (1 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Missing Features (2 reviews)
- Complexity (1 reviews)
- Export Issues (1 reviews)
- File Handling (1 reviews)
- Lack of Features (1 reviews)

### 7. [Simcenter Femap](https://www.g2.com/products/simcenter-femap/reviews)
  Simcenter™ Femap software from Siemens Digital Industries Software is an advanced simulation application for creating, editing, and inspecting finite element models of complex products or systems. Engineers can use advanced workflows in Simcenter Femap to model components, assemblies, or systems, to then determine a model’s behavioral response when subjected to real-world conditions. In addition, Simcenter Femap provides powerful data-driven and graphical results visualization and evaluation, which in combination with the industry-leading Simcenter Nastran, delivers a comprehensive CAE solution that improves product performance.


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 16
**How Do G2 Users Rate Simcenter Femap?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Simcenter Femap?**

- **Seller:** [Siemens Digital Industries Software](https://www.g2.com/sellers/siemens-digital-industries-software)
- **Year Founded:** 1980
- **HQ Location:** Plano, Texas
- **Twitter:** @siemenssoftware (36,968 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/28423178/ (20,658 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Company Size:** 63% Small-Business, 25% Enterprise


#### What Are Simcenter Femap's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- CAE Software (1 reviews)
- Customer Support (1 reviews)
- Ease of Use (1 reviews)
- Meshing Techniques (1 reviews)
- Multiphysics Simulation (1 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Inconsistent Results (1 reviews)
- Insufficient Tutorials (1 reviews)
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)
- Limited Learning Resources (1 reviews)
- Performance Issues (1 reviews)

### 8. [GNU Octave](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-octave/reviews)
  GNU Octave is an open-source mathematical modeling and simulation software very similar to using the same language as Matlab and Freemat.


  **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 54
**How Do G2 Users Rate GNU Octave?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind GNU Octave?**

- **Seller:** [FreeCAD](https://www.g2.com/sellers/freecad)
- **Year Founded:** 2021
- **HQ Location:** Brussels
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/freecad-project-association/ (5 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Computer Software, Research
  - **Company Size:** 65% Small-Business, 18% Mid-Market


### 9. [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews)
  Creo helps you deliver your best designs in less time with numerous productivity and usability enhancements. Manufacturers rely on PTC to deliver innovative CAD tools for designing composites, conducting real-time simulation, driving generative design, and streamlining additive and subtractive manufacturing. And Creo continues to expand Model-Based Definition capabilities, as well as several core modeling functions that make Creo easier for every user. Creo 11 provides an on-premises solution, while Creo+ delivers a SaaS solution that drives cloud-enabled collaboration and license management / deployment tools.


  **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 189
**How Do G2 Users Rate Creo?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 7.1/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Creo?**

- **Seller:** [PTC](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ptc)
- **Year Founded:** 1985
- **HQ Location:** Boston, Massachusetts
- **Twitter:** @PTC (37,577 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/1935/ (8,226 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ: PTC

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Who Uses This:** Design Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Automotive
  - **Company Size:** 37% Enterprise, 36% Mid-Market


#### What Are Creo's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Ease of Use (11 reviews)
- Features (9 reviews)
- Modeling (7 reviews)
- Modeling Efficiency (7 reviews)
- 3D Modeling (6 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Complexity (4 reviews)
- Not User-Friendly (4 reviews)
- Performance Issues (4 reviews)
- 3D Modeling Issues (3 reviews)
- Crashes (3 reviews)

### 10. [SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation/reviews)
  SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is an intuitive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solution embedded within SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD that enables you to quickly and easily simulate liquid and gas flows through and around your designs to calculate product performance and capabilities.


  **Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 33
**How Do G2 Users Rate SolidWorks Flow Simulation?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind SolidWorks Flow Simulation?**

- **Seller:** [Solidworks](https://www.g2.com/sellers/solidworks)
- **Year Founded:** 1993
- **HQ Location:** Waltham, MA
- **Twitter:** @SOLIDWORKS (178,798 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/solidworks/ (1 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** EPA: DSY

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Design
  - **Company Size:** 51% Small-Business, 29% Mid-Market


### 11. [Altair HyperWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/altair-hyperworks/reviews)
  Altair® HyperWorks® is a comprehensive design and simulation platform that empowers professionals across various industries to address complex engineering challenges efficiently. By integrating advanced computational science, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence (AI), HyperWorks facilitates physics simulations and concept designs across multiple disciplines, including structures, motion, fluids, thermal, electromagnetics, electronics, controls, and embedded systems. This unified, open-architecture environment enhances productivity and innovation throughout the product development lifecycle. Key Features and Functionality: - Multidisciplinary Simulation: Supports a wide range of physics simulations, enabling analysis of structural integrity, fluid dynamics, thermal performance, and electromagnetic fields. - AI-Powered Design: Incorporates AI and machine learning to automate complex tasks, identify data trends, and provide predictive insights, accelerating the design process. - High-Performance Computing Integration: Leverages HPC environments to conduct large-scale simulations rapidly, facilitating extensive design iterations and optimization. - Open and Customizable Architecture: Offers seamless interoperability with over 250 CAD systems, solvers, and file formats, allowing for extensive customization and automation through scripting capabilities. - Comprehensive Material Database: Provides access to a robust material database, enabling informed design decisions and exploration of alternative materials to meet performance and sustainability goals. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: Altair HyperWorks addresses the need for an integrated, efficient, and versatile design and simulation platform. By combining AI, HPC, and multiphysics simulation within a connected ecosystem, it enables engineers to explore more design options in less time, ensuring accuracy and manufacturability. The platform's open architecture and customization options allow for seamless integration into existing workflows, enhancing collaboration and traceability across the product lifecycle. Ultimately, HyperWorks empowers organizations to accelerate innovation, reduce development costs, and bring high-quality products to market faster.


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 56
**How Do G2 Users Rate Altair HyperWorks?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 7.7/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Altair HyperWorks?**

- **Seller:** [Altair](https://www.g2.com/sellers/altair-186799f5-3238-493f-b3ad-b8cac484afd7)
- **Year Founded:** 1985
- **HQ Location:** Troy, MI
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/8323/ (3,169 employees on LinkedIn®)
- **Ownership:** NASDAQ:ALTR
- **Total Revenue (USD mm):** $458

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Who Uses This:** CAE Engineer, Design Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Automotive, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 46% Enterprise, 30% Small-Business


#### What Are Altair HyperWorks's Pros and Cons?

**Pros:**

- Accuracy (1 reviews)
- Modeling Efficiency (1 reviews)
- Simulation (1 reviews)
- Workflow Efficiency (1 reviews)

**Cons:**

- Complex Interface (1 reviews)
- Not User-Friendly (1 reviews)

### 12. [Automation Studio](https://www.g2.com/products/automation-studio/reviews)
  Automation Studio is a fluid power, electrical and control systems design and simulation software developed by Famic Technologies Inc.


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 37
**How Do G2 Users Rate Automation Studio?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Automation Studio?**

- **Seller:** [Famic Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/famic-technologies)
- **Year Founded:** 1986
- **HQ Location:** Montreal, CA
- **Twitter:** @FamicTech (73 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/famic-technologies/ (115 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 44% Small-Business, 35% Mid-Market


### 13. [IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/ironcad/reviews)
  Design better, faster IronCAD is an intuitive 3D and 2D design solution that empowers engineers, increases productivity, and facilitates collaboration throughout the enterprise. IRONCAD 3D modeling software empowers designers to focus on design by giving them an intuitive platform that mirrors how we interact with the physical world. Easily reposition components with the patented TriBall™ visualization tool, resize objects by stretching them with handles, and drag and drop predefined shapes into the design scene for a better, faster design process. 3D models made in IRONCAD only require one file, no matter how complex. Assembly part data is integrated into a file’s unified design environment, rather than linking to external files. Feature, part, and assembly data can be stored in catalogs which can be pre-built to include frequently used parts and assemblies, freeing designers to be more productive and allowing them to extend the use of 3D data throughout the enterprise.


  **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 39
**How Do G2 Users Rate IronCAD?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind IronCAD?**

- **Seller:** [IronCAD](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ironcad)
- **Year Founded:** 2001
- **HQ Location:** Atlanta, GA
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/92206/ (28 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Furniture
  - **Company Size:** 74% Small-Business, 14% Enterprise


### 14. [PLECS](https://www.g2.com/products/plecs/reviews)
  PLECS is a tool for system-level simulations of electrical circuits.


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 26
**How Do G2 Users Rate PLECS?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind PLECS?**

- **Seller:** [Plexim](https://www.g2.com/sellers/plexim)
- **Year Founded:** 2002
- **HQ Location:** Zürich, CH
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/130883/ (47 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
  - **Company Size:** 42% Small-Business, 31% Enterprise


### 15. [Scilab](https://www.g2.com/products/scilab/reviews)
  Scilab is a free open-source software for numerical computation and simulation similar to Matlab/Simulink.


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 58
**How Do G2 Users Rate Scilab?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 7.7/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Scilab?**

- **Seller:** [Scilab Enterprises](https://www.g2.com/sellers/scilab-enterprises)
- **Year Founded:** 2010
- **HQ Location:** Rungis, FR
- **Twitter:** @Scilab (2,720 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/2096886/ (4 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Higher Education, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 58% Small-Business, 22% Mid-Market


### 16. [DWSIM](https://www.g2.com/products/dwsim/reviews)
  DWSIM is an open-source CAPE-OPEN compliant chemical process simulator.


  **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 30
**How Do G2 Users Rate DWSIM?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind DWSIM?**

- **Seller:** [DWSIM](https://www.g2.com/sellers/dwsim)
- **HQ Location:** Mumbai, India
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/No-Linkedin-Presence-Added-Intentionally-By-DataOps (1 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Who Uses This:** Graduate Engineering Trainee
  - **Top Industries:** Chemicals, Oil & Energy
  - **Company Size:** 45% Enterprise, 42% Small-Business


### 17. [PSCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/pscad/reviews)
  As power systems evolve, the need for accurate, intuitive simulation tools becomes more and more important. With PSCAD EMTDC you can build, simulate, and model your systems with ease, providing limitless possibilities in power system simulation. Included is a comprehensive library of system models ranging from simple passive elements and control functions, to electric machines and other complex devices.


  **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 21
**How Do G2 Users Rate PSCAD?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 6.9/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 5.0/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind PSCAD?**

- **Seller:** [Hvdc](https://www.g2.com/sellers/hvdc)
- **HQ Location:** Winnipeg, Manitoba
- **Twitter:** @HVDC (208 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/1703240/ (17 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing, Higher Education
  - **Company Size:** 38% Small-Business, 35% Enterprise


### 18. [Vensim](https://www.g2.com/products/vensim/reviews)
  Vensim is a system dynamics and continuous simulation software for business and public policy applications.


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 26
**How Do G2 Users Rate Vensim?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 5.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Vensim?**

- **Seller:** [Ventana Systems](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ventana-systems)
- **Year Founded:** 1985
- **HQ Location:** Harvard, MA
- **Twitter:** @VentanaSystems (429 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/296098/ (15 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Higher Education, Research
  - **Company Size:** 54% Small-Business, 29% Enterprise


### 19. [OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/products/openfoam/reviews)
  OpenFOAM is an open-source software used for computational fluid dynamics (or CFD).


  **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 33
**How Do G2 Users Rate OpenFOAM?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 6.8/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 6.9/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 6.9/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind OpenFOAM?**

- **Seller:** [OpenFOAM Project](https://www.g2.com/sellers/openfoam-project)
- **Year Founded:** 2011
- **HQ Location:** London, UK
- **Twitter:** @CFDFoundation (5,472 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/9365468/ (4 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Who Uses This:** CAE Engineer
  - **Top Industries:** Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Automotive
  - **Company Size:** 63% Small-Business, 20% Enterprise


### 20. [Modelica](https://www.g2.com/products/modelica/reviews)
  Modelica is an open standard for modeling software.


  **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 19
**How Do G2 Users Rate Modelica?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind Modelica?**

- **Seller:** [Modelica Association](https://www.g2.com/sellers/modelica-association)
- **Year Founded:** 2012
- **HQ Location:** Madrid, ES
- **Twitter:** @modelica (737 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/modelical/ (118 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Company Size:** 57% Small-Business, 24% Enterprise


### 21. [OpenSim](https://www.g2.com/products/opensim/reviews)
  OpenSim is an open-source software system for biomechanical modeling.


  **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0
  **Total Reviews:** 20
**How Do G2 Users Rate OpenSim?**

- **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 4.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10)
- **Task:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10)
- **Integrate:** 7.3/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)
- **Continuous event modeling:** 7.7/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10)

**Who Is the Company Behind OpenSim?**

- **Seller:** [OpenSim Project](https://www.g2.com/sellers/opensim-project)
- **Year Founded:** 2018
- **HQ Location:** Częstochowa, PL
- **Twitter:** @OpenSimSU (3,690 Twitter followers)
- **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/opensim/about (1 employees on LinkedIn®)

**Who Uses This Product?**
  - **Top Industries:** Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
  - **Company Size:** 50% Small-Business, 27% Enterprise



    ## What Is Simulation & CAE Software?
  [CAD & PLM Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cad-plm)
  ## What Software Categories Are Similar to Simulation & CAE Software?
    - [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad)
    - [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad)
    - [PCB Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/pcb-design)

  
---

## How Do You Choose the Right Simulation & CAE Software?

### What You Should Know About Simulation & CAE Software

### What is Simulation & CAE Software?

Simulation and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software allows engineers, analysts, and designers to perform finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), multibody dynamics (MDB), and optimization. Simulation software can also be referred to as CAE simulation software due to its association with CAE analysis and its application. Simulation software can create models based on mathematical data and place them in a predefined system. By analyzing these models, engineers study the relationship between model and system and the interactions that happen in a controlled environment. This helps predict performance, defects, and judge the potential product lifespan.

**What Does Simulation & CAE Software Stand For?**

CAE stands for computer-aided engineering. The term computer-aided engineering is used as a technical term for simulation while the term simulation is what is often heard in the market when users refer to engineering simulation.

### What are the Common Features of Simulation & CAE Software?

The following are some core features within simulation software: 

[**Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)**](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae/f/computational-fluid-dynamics): One of the main forms of engineering analysis that CAE software performs is CFD. CFD is a way to model the behavior of both fluids and gases. This includes modeling the way they interact with one another as well as surfaces that they come in contact with. This feature can solve problems such as identifying incompressible and compressible fluids, laminar and turbulent flows, as well as multiphase flow problems.

**Finite element analysis (FEA):** FEA is a numerical method used to solve engineering problems. This process is used to break down one large problem into a handful of smaller ones, called finite elements. Using this method, engineers can break down complex engineering problems into manageable pieces. One of the main ways engineers use FEA is to make model representations in which they can test how objects interact with one another, which provides an understanding of how an actual object would be affected by other physical forces. Examples are bridge modeling, car crash testing, and testing the structural integrity of any given object.

**Mechanical event simulation:** Mechanical event simulation enables engineers to simulate how objects will react to certain events in real life. A good example of this is a simulation of how a mobile phone will interact with a cement floor in the event that it is accidentally dropped. Within the simulation, the software can indicate if the phone screen will crack or if any other permanent issues will be caused. The software can then suggest changes to be made to the phone to make it more durable and protected in the event of a dropped phone; when considering these changes, users can test the simulation until the product is adjusted to their liking.

[**Electromagnetic simulation**](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae/f/electromagnetic-simulation) **:** Electromagnetic simulation allows users to simulate the electromagnetic properties of components or systems. This allows engineers in industries such as electronics and communications to determine how effective their component design is.

[**Thermal simulation**](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae/f/thermal-simulation) **:** Thermal simulation allows users to simulate how the physical properties of materials change with changes in temperature. Thermal simulation can be used to simulate areas such as electronics cooling, automotive thermal management, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and other applications where users need to simulate the effect of thermal loads.

Other Features of Simulation & CAE Software: [Structural Simulation](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae/f/structural-simulation)

### What are the Benefits of Simulation & CAE Software?

**Speeds up design time:** Simulation software speeds up the time it takes engineers to prototype and test how objects will perform in the real world. This allows product engineers to improve design performance well before a product is manufactured. A major example of this is how airplane engineers manufacture an airplane that can withhold the stress of landing on a runway. Within this process, there are so many variables to take into account, including the material, size, and speed of the airplane. Given the perspective of how many factors go into the safety and performance design of an airplane, one would think it would take countless days of manipulating the design to create a reliable product. However, CAE allows engineers to speed up this process by running simulations of plane landings and detailing exact ways in which the engineer can improve the design. 

**Saves money:** Simulation software is all virtual and done on the computer, hence the name “computer-aided engineering”. Since these simulations are all conducted virtually, it allows companies to save plenty of money by not having to manufacture countless designs before getting the final product correct. For example, car engineers can simulate how a car crash would occur before they even have to conduct the final experiment. This way, before car crash testing occurs, engineering teams already have a good sense of how the test will go. The result is having to spend less money on testing and trashing actual physical prototypes. 

**Improves testing:** When prototypes finally come down to physical testing, simulation software can help analyze what’s occurring during the test and identify any key faults that occurred. For example, if a car was tested for impact and the body of the car wasn’t strong enough to withstand a crash, simulation software can identify exactly what went wrong and suggest what needs to be changed.

### Who Uses Simulation & CAE Software?

Simulation and CAE software is used across a variety of industries in the manufacturing and engineering world. Its main functions include simulation, validation, and optimization of products, which can be broadly applied to any business trying to test and improve a manufactured product. With this in mind, here are a couple of industries that use simulation software.

**Automotive industry:** Historically, automakers spent plenty of time producing physical vehicle models and then testing them for safety by actually crashing them into physical barriers. With advancements in simulation software, however, design and safety testing is all done using computer simulations. Within the virtual simulation, a car can be tested to improve safety, comfort, and vehicle durability. This has saved the automotive industry both time and money by eliminating the need to produce countless physical prototypes.

**Manufacturers:** Simulation and CAE software can produce simulations of manufacturing assembly lines. This helps manufacturers identify any inefficiencies or issues before they begin construction on expensive production assemblies. By identifying these issues, they can save money and increase the efficiency of their manufacturing systems.

**Electronic engineers:** Industries that work with developing electronic products can greatly benefit from using simulation software. Some simulation tools offer physics-based electronics design that provides fast and accurate life predictions for electronic hardware at the component, board, and system levels in early-stage design. This can be extremely beneficial to product development.

**Education:** Simulation and CAE software is also used by educators to teach engineering students. For learning or teaching simulation, several vendors even offer academic or student editions of their software packages, usually at a reduced cost.

#### Software Related to Simulation & CAE Software 

Related solutions that can be used together with simulation and CAE software include:

[CAD software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad) **:** Computer-aided design (CAD) software allows users to design 3D models of physical objects. Before using simulation software, engineers often create a 3D design of whatever they’d like to conduct a simulation on. This can be a building, a mechanical assembly, an engineering plant, etc. Once the design is done, users then upload the product to a simulation software where they can then simulate how the product would react to real-life forces. Some simulation software have robust 3D design capabilities built in, while others are more elementary and are best complemented by a more robust 3D CAD software. 

### Challenges with Simulation & CAE Software 

As a technically involved software, simulation and CAE software can come with a few major challenges. Some of the most common challenges include:

**CAD/CAE integration:** CAD files are completely different from CAE files. With this in mind, it’s very difficult to produce a model in CAD software, and hope that it will be suited for FEA within CAE software. However, there are software offerings that allow design and analysis to be tested within an integrated CAD/CAE environment, so to avoid this potential issue, it may be best to find a CAD solution that also offers CAE capabilities.

**Learning curve:** CAE software comes with a steep learning curve. While there are more products and resources that can help beginners, it will still take a significant amount of time to master all the nuances of the software.

**Price:** Another major concern for small businesses is the high price of CAE software. Some commercial CAE software can range anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 per person, which is a hefty price tag for a single user in a company.

### Which Companies Should Buy Simulation & CAE Software?

Simulation and CAE software has applications that span multiple industries as well as multiple company types.

**Structural engineering and automotive engineering companies:** Whether a company engineers planes, cars, or buildings, simulation software can solve a lot of use cases for structural engineering teams. With plenty of tools for stress and impact analysis, users can simulate how their structures or products will react to real-world environmental effects.

**Manufacturing and industrial equipment companies:** It’s critical to test industrial equipment for strength, speed, safety, reliability, and endurance under different operating conditions. Simulation and CAE software can optimize the industrial equipment design early in the design cycle. This ensures the production of high-performance machinery with a shorter time-to-market and lower costs for physical testing. Some of the tools used within typical CAE software include mounting, clamping, adjusting, rotating and other elements.

### How to Buy Simulation & CAE Software 

#### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Simulation & CAE Software

Requirements gathering for simulation and CAE software is critical to ensure that the business is implementing a product that meets all of their needs. To do so, businesses must evaluate their critical needs.

#### Compare Simulation & CAE Software Products

**Create a long list**

Long lists are created by eliminating software options that do not provide critical functionality. To make a long list for simulation software, a buyer should look at the following functionalities and deem which products provide the necessary functionality:

- Finite element analysis
- Computational fluid dynamics 
- Thermal simulation
- Continuous event modeling
- Mechanical event simulation
- Manufacturing process simulation
- 3D design and modeling
- Drawing tools

**Create a short list**

Once a buyer has narrowed down their list from the following functionality above, it’s then important to get even more specific requirements. A buyer may be looking for simulation software that allows for a wide range of CAD integrations, or some buyers may be looking for solutions that specialize specifically in multibody dynamics or electronics simulation. Additionally, CAE is not easy to learn so it may be important to narrow it down to vendors that have great implementation support or additional resources to help learn how to use the simulation software.

**Conduct demos**

Demos are one of the most important stages in the buying journey. This allows a buyer to sit through an actual product demo and see if the product matches all of the requirements. To make sure the demo runs smoothly, users must ensure that the vendor has all of the requirements beforehand so they can showcase their features properly. Some of the use cases that a business should ask the vendor to showcase are:

**Specific simulation features:** Before getting into the demo, a potential buyer needs to hone in on what simulation features are the most important to them. If a buyer is looking for thermal, fluids, or structural simulation then the buyers should make sure that the vendor showcases those specific features.

**Workflows:** Another important feature to showcase is workflow functionality. How does the solution offer better workflow management for CAE projects? Can users share projects easily, are there simple functions for content management?

**Selection of Simulation & CAE Software **

**Choose a selection team**

Simulation and CAE software is going to most often be used by engineers as well as managers who oversee these teams of engineers. As such, a few senior engineers and relevant managers need to be involved in the decision-making process. At a minimum, the selection team should be at least three senior engineers and two members from management. Since simulation software is costly, this will ensure that enough eyes are on the project to make sure the best decision is made.

**Negotiation**

When negotiating during the purchasing stage, it is advisable to always start small in terms of licenses and functionality. Licenses will always be the biggest cost within any purchase, and oftentimes, companies purchase additional licenses or features in a product that they don’t necessarily need. During this negotiation, vendors will try to convince buyers that they can offer discounts on more functionality or licenses if they buy in bulk, but most businesses don’t need this. If businesses end up needing a few more licenses down the road, they can always add as need be. 

In addition to this, the selection team should always strive to have implementation and ongoing support fees included in the cost. As stated previously, simulation software is not easy to learn. Before purchasing, buyers must ensure that the vendor offers regular training or even online training options to help new users onboard quickly. This way, if any ongoing support is needed, businesses can always contact their customer success or support representative.

**Final decision**

After the negotiation stage is conducted, the final decision requires buy-in from everyone on the selection team. It’s important to ensure that all requirements are met and the final decision is supported by everyone involved.

### What Does Simulation & CAE Software Cost?

There are a variety of factors that will play into both the upfront and ongoing cost of simulation software. For upfront costs, a business will pay for setup, any custom integrations, and training. The ongoing cost is the subscription cost to actually use the software. Many simulation software options are usually run on a subscription model which means users will pay a monthly or yearly rate to use the software. The subscription model is generally set up as a per-user model and will ultimately be the biggest cost. As stated previously, to limit the upfront cost, it’s important to pay for a limited number of licenses right away as buyers still need to figure out if the software will ultimately be the best choice for their company. In terms of hard numbers, there is simulation software for as little as $30 per user on a monthly basis, whereas some go up to $100 per user per month.

#### Return on Investment (ROI)

Below is the breakdown of the estimated time to ROI according to the review data on G2 as of May 4, 2021:

35% of buyers see an ROI in 6 months or less

26% of buyers see an ROI in 7-12 months

19 % of buyers see an ROI in 13-24 months

7% of buyers see an ROI from 24-36 months

7% of buyers see an ROI in 48+ months 

7% of buyers haven’t realized a full payback yet

### Simulation & CAE Software Trends

**Machine learning **

Machine learning can help speed up engineering simulations by enabling highly accurate predictions. With tools like statistical learning, computers are able to learn and develop better data on their own. This can help speed up the optimal design of a product. An example would be data that is extracted from a car crash simulation repeated thousands of times. Within simulations, machine learning tools can understand which changes need to be made to make the car safer without sacrificing the integrity of the design.