# Abaqus, Altair OptiStruct vs SolidWorks Simulation Comparison | | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 54 | 34 | 60 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (45.3% of reviews) | Small-Business (39.4% of reviews) | Mid-Market (47.4% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | No pricing available | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### Abaqus Pros: - Ease of Use (2 reviews) - Simulation (2 reviews) Cons: - Not User-Friendly (2 reviews) - CAD Limitations (1 reviews) ### Altair OptiStruct **Not enough data** ### SolidWorks Simulation Pros: - Ease of Use (3 reviews) - Accuracy (1 reviews) Cons: - Complexity (1 reviews) - Export Issues (1 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.7 (41 reviews) | 8.9 (25 reviews) | 8.3 (43 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 7.6 (42 reviews) | 8.8 (25 reviews) | 8.4 (43 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 9.6 (8 reviews) | 9.0 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (7 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 8.1 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Quality of Support** | 8.3 (39 reviews) | 9.3 (23 reviews) | 8.4 (38 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.0 (5 reviews) | 9.2 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.7 (40 reviews) | 8.5 (24 reviews) | 8.3 (40 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### Abaqus #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### Altair OptiStruct #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### SolidWorks Simulation #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Simulation & CAE | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Abaqus** | 7.8/10 | 29 | | **Altair OptiStruct** | 8.5/10 | 25 | | **SolidWorks Simulation** | 8.3/10 | 25 | #### Design | Feature | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 6.4 (18 reviews) | 8.2 (17 reviews) | 9.1 (22 reviews) | | **Drawing Tools** | 6.8 (19 reviews) | 8.6 (17 reviews) | 9.0 (21 reviews) | | **Editing Tools** | 6.7 (20 reviews) | 9.0 (17 reviews) | 8.9 (22 reviews) | | **Rendering tools** | 7.0 (16 reviews) | 8.1 (13 reviews) | 8.0 (21 reviews) | #### Tools | Feature | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Fluid analysis** | 8.2 (14 reviews) | 8.0 (15 reviews) | 8.0 (20 reviews) | | **Finite element analysis** | 9.0 (26 reviews) | 9.1 (24 reviews) | 8.3 (22 reviews) | | **Multibody dynamics** | 8.2 (17 reviews) | 8.7 (15 reviews) | 8.5 (19 reviews) | #### Work | Feature | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Discrete event modeling** | 7.9 (15 reviews) | 8.2 (14 reviews) | 7.5 (19 reviews) | | **Continuous event modeling** | 8.1 (13 reviews) | 8.7 (15 reviews) | 7.6 (19 reviews) | | **Mechanical event simulation** | 8.4 (18 reviews) | 9.1 (17 reviews) | 8.4 (20 reviews) | | **Manufacturing process simulation** | 8.0 (14 reviews) | 8.5 (12 reviews) | 8.1 (18 reviews) | | **Integrate** | 8.2 (12 reviews) | 8.1 (14 reviews) | 8.5 (20 reviews) | #### Environment | Feature | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | 7.0 (15 reviews) | 8.3 (16 reviews) | 8.2 (19 reviews) | | **Task** | 8.3 (12 reviews) | 8.3 (19 reviews) | 8.2 (17 reviews) | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 8.5 (13 reviews) | 8.8 (15 reviews) | 7.8 (16 reviews) | | **Command Clarity** | 8.6 (19 reviews) | 8.8 (18 reviews) | 8.3 (21 reviews) | ### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Abaqus** | N/A | N/A | | **Altair OptiStruct** | N/A | N/A | | **SolidWorks Simulation** | N/A | N/A | #### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Export Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Import Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **File size** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Unique to SolidWorks Simulation (1):** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | Abaqus | Altair OptiStruct | SolidWorks Simulation | |---|---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 45.3% | 39.4% | 42.1% | | **Mid-Market** | 26.4% | 36.4% | 47.4% | | **Enterprise** | 28.3% | 24.2% | 10.5% | ### By Industry #### Abaqus - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 18.9% - **Higher Education:** 18.9% - **Automotive:** 17.0% - **Aviation & Aerospace:** 11.3% - **Research:** 9.4% - **Airlines/Aviation:** 7.5% - **Design:** 5.7% - **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 1.9% - **Museums and Institutions:** 1.9% - **Information Technology and Services:** 1.9% - **Other:** 5.7% #### Altair OptiStruct - **Automotive:** 40.6% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 9.4% - **Aviation & Aerospace:** 9.4% - **Information Technology and Services:** 6.3% - **Computer Software:** 6.3% - **Airlines/Aviation:** 6.3% - **Research:** 3.1% - **Mining & Metals:** 3.1% - **Machinery:** 3.1% - **Higher Education:** 3.1% - **Other:** 9.4% #### SolidWorks Simulation - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 22.8% - **Design:** 15.8% - **Higher Education:** 14.0% - **Oil & Energy:** 7.0% - **Machinery:** 7.0% - **Airlines/Aviation:** 3.5% - **Consulting:** 3.5% - **Industrial Automation:** 3.5% - **Architecture & Planning:** 1.8% - **Automotive:** 1.8% - **Other:** 19.3% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to Abaqus - [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (770 reviews) - [Ansys Mechanical](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-mechanical/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (92 reviews) - [Altair HyperWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/altair-hyperworks/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (56 reviews) - [Ansys LS-DYNA](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-ls-dyna/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (48 reviews) - [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews) - [COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/products/comsol-multiphysics/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (36 reviews) - [Inventor Nastran](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor-nastran/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (23 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews) - [Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-fluent/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (122 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) ### Alternatives to Altair OptiStruct - [Ansys LS-DYNA](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-ls-dyna/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (48 reviews) - [Inventor Nastran](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor-nastran/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (23 reviews) - [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (770 reviews) - [Ansys Mechanical](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-mechanical/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (92 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews) - [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews) - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) - [SimScale](https://www.g2.com/products/simscale/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (279 reviews) ### Alternatives to SolidWorks Simulation - [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews) - [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews) - [Ansys Mechanical](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-mechanical/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (92 reviews) - [Altair HyperWorks](https://www.g2.com/products/altair-hyperworks/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (56 reviews) - [COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/products/comsol-multiphysics/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (36 reviews) - [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (770 reviews) - [Inventor Nastran](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor-nastran/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (23 reviews) - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### Abaqus No discussions available for this product. ### Altair OptiStruct - Title: [Can i do the kinematics & dynamic analysis of rigid body (Mechanism ) along with the FEA analysis](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32044-can-i-do-the-kinematics-dynamic-analysis-of-rigid-body-mechanism-along-with-the-fea-analysis) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Yes, OptiStruct is fully integrated with MotionSolve, Altair’s motion analysis solver, supporting both rigid and flex bodies FE analyses. See..." - Title: [Inertia relief analysis of same model was performed using Optistruct and Nastran, Result of Optistruct was showing very high stresses to that of Nastran. Why is it so?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32003-inertia-relief-analysis-of-same-model-was-performed-using-optistruct-and-nastran-result-of-optistruct-was-showing-very-high-stresses-to-that-of-nastran-why-is-it-so) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "OptiStruct solves both linear and nonlinear problems using an enhanced proprietary version of NASTRAN. We’d need to see the model to troubleshoot your issue." ### SolidWorks Simulation - Title: [What is the use of Solidworks software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-use-of-solidworks-software) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "Its Computer aided design software, of course you can do lot of things using solidworks package. Design 3D CAD Engineering models 2D technical drawing..." - Title: [Is solidworks simulation free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-solidworks-simulation-free) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "No its based on subscription" --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/abaqus-vs-altair-optistruct-vs-solidworks-solidworks-simulation)