# OpenFOAM, SolidWorks Simulation vs Designcenter NX Comparison

| | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 35 | 60 | 527 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (63.6% of reviews) | Mid-Market (47.4% of reviews) | Enterprise (37.3% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | Starting at $238.75 1 Subscription Per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### OpenFOAM

**Not enough data**

### SolidWorks Simulation

Pros:
- Ease of Use (4 reviews)
- Intuitive Use (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Missing Features (2 reviews)
- Complexity (1 reviews)

### Designcenter NX

Pros:
- Features (81 reviews)
- Ease of Use (64 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (31 reviews)
- Learning Difficulty (30 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.0 (26 reviews) | 8.3 (43 reviews) | 9.0 (237 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 6.7 (26 reviews) | 8.4 (43 reviews) | 8.2 (437 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | Not enough data | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 8.0 (301 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (38 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 6.1 (21 reviews) | 8.4 (38 reviews) | 8.6 (224 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (38 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 6.1 (24 reviews) | 8.3 (40 reviews) | 8.8 (230 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### OpenFOAM

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### SolidWorks Simulation

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Designcenter NX

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Designcenter X NX Essentials

Price: Starting at $238.75 1 Subscription Per Month

Description: Browser-based essential NX CAD, CAM and CAE tools. Create and edit NX data with zero translation.

Key Features:
- Feature-based solid modeling
- Synchronous technology
- Drafting

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Additive Manufacturing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **OpenFOAM** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolidWorks Simulation** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter NX** | 8.2/10 | 56 |

#### File Support - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **STL Compatible** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (48 reviews) | 
| **3MF Compatible** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (47 reviews) | 
| **OBJ Compatible** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (49 reviews) | 

#### File Editing - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Mesh Repair** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (52 reviews) | 
| **File Editing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.1 (51 reviews) | 

#### Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Standalone Slicer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (49 reviews) | 
| **Inetgrated 3D Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.2 (51 reviews) | 

#### Software Type - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Cloud-based Platform** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (47 reviews) | 
| **Downloadable Application** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (48 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text-to-Image** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 5.9 (15 reviews) | 
| **AI Text-to-3D** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 6.2 (15 reviews) | 

#### Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Material Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Building Simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Slicing Optimization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Simulation & CAE

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **OpenFOAM** | 6.9/10 | 16 |
| **SolidWorks Simulation** | 8.3/10 | 25 |
| **Designcenter NX** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 6.2 (11 reviews) | 9.1 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Drawing Tools** | 6.1 (11 reviews) | 9.0 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Editing Tools** | 6.8 (11 reviews) | 8.9 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Rendering tools** | 7.1 (12 reviews) | 8.0 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Tools

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Fluid analysis** | 8.8 (13 reviews) | 8.0 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Finite element analysis** | 6.5 (8 reviews) | 8.3 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multibody dynamics** | 6.3 (8 reviews) | 8.5 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Work

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Discrete event modeling** | 6.7 (8 reviews) | 7.5 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Continuous event modeling** | 6.9 (9 reviews) | 7.6 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Mechanical event simulation** | 7.1 (8 reviews) | 8.4 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manufacturing process simulation** | 6.4 (7 reviews) | 8.1 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Integrate** | 6.9 (9 reviews) | 8.5 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Environment

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | 7.1 (8 reviews) | 8.2 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Task** | 6.8 (10 reviews) | 8.2 (17 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 7.4 (7 reviews) | 7.8 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Command Clarity** | 7.2 (12 reviews) | 8.3 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **OpenFOAM** | N/A | N/A |
| **SolidWorks Simulation** | N/A | N/A |
| **Designcenter NX** | 8.8/10 | 89 |

#### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.3 (77 reviews) | 
| **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (72 reviews) | 
| **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.1 (73 reviews) | 
| **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.3 (74 reviews) | 
| **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (72 reviews) | 

#### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Export Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.0 (73 reviews) | 
| **Import Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (74 reviews) | 
| **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (73 reviews) | 
| **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (73 reviews) | 
| **File size** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (73 reviews) | 

#### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (73 reviews) | 
| **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (72 reviews) | 
| **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (72 reviews) | 
| **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (75 reviews) | 

#### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

| Feature | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Hardware support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (74 reviews) | 
| **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (72 reviews) | 
| **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (72 reviews) | 
| **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.9 (76 reviews) | 

---
## Categories

**Unique to OpenFOAM (1):** [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae)

**Unique to SolidWorks Simulation (2):** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae)

**Unique to Designcenter NX (2):** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad), [Additive Manufacturing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/additive-manufacturing)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | OpenFOAM | SolidWorks Simulation | Designcenter NX | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 63.6% | 42.1% | 28.6% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 18.2% | 47.4% | 34.2% | 
| **Enterprise** | 18.2% | 10.5% | 37.3% | 

### By Industry

#### OpenFOAM

- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 30.3%
- **Automotive:** 18.2%
- **Research:** 12.1%
- **Higher Education:** 9.1%
- **Oil & Energy:** 6.1%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 3.0%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 3.0%
- **Government Administration:** 3.0%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 3.0%
- **Design:** 3.0%
- **Other:** 9.1%

#### 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%

#### Designcenter NX

- **Automotive:** 15.8%
- **Aviation & Aerospace:** 13.3%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 11.4%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 5.8%
- **Defense & Space:** 5.8%
- **Design:** 5.6%
- **Oil & Energy:** 4.0%
- **Manufacturing:** 3.7%
- **Consumer Electronics:** 2.9%
- **Semiconductors:** 2.5%
- **Other:** 29.3%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to OpenFOAM

- [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (770 reviews)
- [SimScale](https://www.g2.com/products/simscale/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (279 reviews)
- [Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-fluent/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (122 reviews)
- [COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/products/comsol-multiphysics/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (36 reviews)
- [SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (35 reviews)
- [Autodesk CFD](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-cfd/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (31 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews)
- [GNU Octave](https://www.g2.com/products/gnu-octave/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (55 reviews)
- [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews)

### Alternatives to SolidWorks Simulation

- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 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)
- [Abaqus](https://www.g2.com/products/abaqus/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (54 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)

### Alternatives to Designcenter NX

- [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)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Creo](https://www.g2.com/products/creo-2025-08-26/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (200 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1930 reviews)
- [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [Blender](https://www.g2.com/products/blender/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (315 reviews)
- [CATIA](https://www.g2.com/products/catia/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (255 reviews)
- [Rhinoceros](https://www.g2.com/products/rhinoceros/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (191 reviews)
- [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (996 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### OpenFOAM

- Title: [Is OpenFOAM free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-openfoam-free) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Yes! It's open source"
- Title: [What do you use as mesher? Are there free ones that are good for complex geometries?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/30233-what-do-you-use-as-mesher-are-there-free-ones-that-are-good-for-complex-geometries) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "I used snappyHexMesh to mesh a complicated geometry and it did well. Many like cfMesh too. If snappyHexMesh is used, can use blockMesh to generate background..."

### 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"

### Designcenter NX

- Title: [Which companies are using NX software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-companies-are-using-nx-software) — 3 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "https://www.sw.siemens.com/de-DE/customer-case-study/?fm_1ARrzH=true&f2=EwNgrAjFEiQ"
- Title: [What is NX software used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-nx-software-used-for) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "NX software used mainly for CAD modeling, Simulation And analysis"
- Title: [What is NX CAD used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-nx-cad-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It is used for Product design as well as Tool/Mold design. It is also used for 2D drawing. In die casting industry, it is used vastly for Mold design due to..."
- Title: [Can I use NX for 3D printing purpose?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-i-use-nx-for-3d-printing-purpose) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Yes. You can use"

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/openfoam-vs-solidworks-solidworks-simulation-vs-designcenter-nx)