# Top 10 Autodesk CFD Alternatives & Competitors **Average Rating:** 4.3/5 **Total Number of Reviews:** 31 Autodesk CFD is not the only option for Simulation & CAE Software. Explore other competing options and alternatives. Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Autodesk CFD include user interface and design. The best overall Autodesk CFD alternative is SimScale. Other similar apps like Autodesk CFD are Ansys Fluent, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, OpenFOAM, and COMSOL Multiphysics®. Autodesk CFD alternatives can be found in [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) but may also be in [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad) or [Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/data-science-and-machine-learning-platforms). ## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to Autodesk CFD - [SimScale](https://www.g2.com/products/simscale/reviews) - [Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-fluent/reviews) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation/reviews) - [OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/products/openfoam/reviews) - [COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/products/comsol-multiphysics/reviews) - [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) - [Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-cfx/reviews) ## Top 10 Alternatives to Autodesk CFD Recently Reviewed By G2 Community Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how Autodesk CFD stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Higher Education, and Manufacturing, and find the best product for your business. ### 1. [SimScale](https://www.g2.com/products/simscale/reviews) By SimScale GmbH **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 283 SimScale is revolutionizing the computer-aided engineering sector by providing access to engineering simulation 100% via your web browser and to one of the largest CAE communities in the world. The SimScale web-based platform enables engineering professionals to perform CFD, FEA, Thermodynamics, Acoustics and Particle Analyses, making simulation technology accessible to everyone. Reviewers say compared to Autodesk CFD, SimScale is: - Better at support Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-cfd-vs-simscale) **Compare SimScale with other alternatives:** - [SimScale vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-simscale) - [SimScale vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/simscale-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SimScale vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/openfoam-vs-simscale) - [SimScale vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-simscale) - [SimScale vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-simscale) - [SimScale vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/solidworks-vs-simscale) - [SimScale vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-simscale) - [SimScale vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-simscale) - [SimScale vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-simscale) ### 2. [Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-fluent/reviews) By Ansys, Inc. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 122 ANSYS Fluent software is the most-powerful computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool available, empowering you to go further and faster as you optimize your product's performance. Fluent includes well-validated physical modeling capabilities to deliver fast, accurate results across the widest range of CFD and multiphysics applications Reviewers say compared to Autodesk CFD, Ansys Fluent is: - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-autodesk-cfd) **Compare Ansys Fluent with other alternatives:** - [Ansys Fluent vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-simscale) - [Ansys Fluent vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [Ansys Fluent vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-openfoam) - [Ansys Fluent vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-comsol-multiphysics) - [Ansys Fluent vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-matlab) - [Ansys Fluent vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-solidworks) - [Ansys Fluent vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-onshape) - [Ansys Fluent vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Ansys Fluent vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-ansys-fluent) ### 3. [SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation/reviews) By Solidworks **Average Rating:** 4.1/5 **Total Reviews:** 35 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. Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-cfd-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) **Compare SolidWorks Flow Simulation with other alternatives:** - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/simscale-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/openfoam-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/solidworks-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SolidWorks Flow Simulation vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) ### 4. [OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/products/openfoam/reviews) By OpenFOAM Project **Average Rating:** 4.3/5 **Total Reviews:** 35 OpenFOAM is an open-source software used for computational fluid dynamics (or CFD). Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-cfd-vs-openfoam) **Compare OpenFOAM with other alternatives:** - [OpenFOAM vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/openfoam-vs-simscale) - [OpenFOAM vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-openfoam) - [OpenFOAM vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/openfoam-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [OpenFOAM vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-openfoam) - [OpenFOAM vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-openfoam) - [OpenFOAM vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/openfoam-vs-solidworks) - [OpenFOAM vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-openfoam) - [OpenFOAM vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-openfoam) - [OpenFOAM vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-openfoam) ### 5. [COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/products/comsol-multiphysics/reviews) By COMSOL **Average Rating:** 4.3/5 **Total Reviews:** 36 Engineers and scientists use the COMSOL Multiphysics® software to simulate designs, devices, and processes in all fields of engineering, manufacturing, and scientific research. COMSOL Multiphysics® is a simulation platform that provides fully coupled multiphysics and single-physics modeling capabilities. The Model Builder includes all of the steps in the modeling workflow — from defining geometries, material properties, and the physics that describe specific phenomena to performing computations and evaluating the results. The COMSOL Multiphysics® software brings a user interface and experience that is always the same, regardless of engineering application and physics phenomena. Add-on modules provide specialized functionality for electromagnetics, structural mechanics, acoustics, fluid flow, heat transfer, and chemical engineering. Choose from a list of LiveLink™ products to interface directly with CAD and other third-party software. Deploy simulation applications with COMSOL Compiler™ and COMSOL Server™. Reviewers say compared to Autodesk CFD, COMSOL Multiphysics® is: - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-cfd-vs-comsol-multiphysics) **Compare COMSOL Multiphysics® with other alternatives:** - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-simscale) - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-comsol-multiphysics) - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-openfoam) - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-matlab) - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-solidworks) - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-onshape) - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [COMSOL Multiphysics® vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-comsol-multiphysics) ### 6. [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) By MathWorks **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 770 MATLAB is a high-level programming and numeric computing environment widely utilized by engineers and scientists for data analysis, algorithm development, and system modeling. It offers a desktop environment optimized for iterative analysis and design processes, coupled with a programming language that directly expresses matrix and array mathematics. The Live Editor feature enables users to create scripts that integrate code, output, and formatted text within an executable notebook. Key Features and Functionality: - Data Analysis: Tools for exploring, modeling, and analyzing data. - Graphics: Functions for visualizing and exploring data through various plots and charts. - Programming: Capabilities to create scripts, functions, and classes for customized workflows. - App Building: Facilities to develop desktop and web applications. - External Language Interfaces: Integration with languages such as Python, C/C++, Fortran, and Java. - Hardware Connectivity: Support for connecting MATLAB to various hardware platforms. - Parallel Computing: Ability to perform large-scale computations and parallelize simulations using multicore desktops, GPUs, clusters, and cloud resources. - Deployment: Options to share MATLAB programs and deploy them to enterprise applications, embedded devices, and cloud environments. Primary Value and User Solutions: MATLAB streamlines complex mathematical computations and data analysis tasks, enabling users to develop algorithms and models efficiently. Its comprehensive toolboxes and interactive apps facilitate rapid prototyping and iterative design, reducing development time. The platform's scalability allows for seamless transition from research to production, supporting deployment on various systems without extensive code modifications. By integrating with multiple programming languages and hardware platforms, MATLAB provides a versatile environment that addresses the diverse needs of engineers and scientists across industries. Reviewers say compared to Autodesk CFD, MATLAB is: - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-cfd-vs-matlab) **Compare MATLAB with other alternatives:** - [MATLAB vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-simscale) - [MATLAB vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-matlab) - [MATLAB vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [MATLAB vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-openfoam) - [MATLAB vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-matlab) - [MATLAB vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-solidworks) - [MATLAB vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-onshape) - [MATLAB vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-matlab) - [MATLAB vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-matlab) ### 7. [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) By Solidworks **Average Rating:** 4.5/5 **Total Reviews:** 643 SOLIDWORKS offers complete 3D software tools that let you create, simulate, publish, and manage your data. SOLIDWORKS products are easy to learn and use, and help you design products better. Reviewers say compared to Autodesk CFD, SOLIDWORKS is: - Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-cfd-vs-solidworks) **Compare SOLIDWORKS with other alternatives:** - [SOLIDWORKS vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/solidworks-vs-simscale) - [SOLIDWORKS vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-solidworks) - [SOLIDWORKS vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/solidworks-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/openfoam-vs-solidworks) - [SOLIDWORKS vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-solidworks) - [SOLIDWORKS vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-solidworks) - [SOLIDWORKS vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-solidworks) - [SOLIDWORKS vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-solidworks) - [SOLIDWORKS vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-solidworks) ### 8. [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) By PTC **Average Rating:** 4.7/5 **Total Reviews:** 711 Onshape is a modern CAD system that eliminates design gridlock and helps engineers do their best work. Onshape unites advanced modeling tools and design data management in a secure cloud workspace that has rapidly become the primary CAD system for thousands of companies worldwide. Reviewers say compared to Autodesk CFD, Onshape is: - Better at support - More usable Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-cfd-vs-onshape) **Compare Onshape with other alternatives:** - [Onshape vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-simscale) - [Onshape vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [Onshape vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-openfoam) - [Onshape vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/matlab-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/onshape-vs-solidworks) - [Onshape vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-onshape) - [Onshape vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-onshape) ### 9. [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) By Siemens Digital Industries Software **Average Rating:** 4.3/5 **Total Reviews:** 613 Solid Edge is a portfolio of affordable, easy-to-use software solutions for product development — 3D design, simulation, manufacturing, data management, cloud collaboration, and more. Solid Edge combines the speed and simplicity of direct modeling with the flexibility and control of parametric design – made possible with synchronous technology. Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/autodesk-cfd-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) **Compare Designcenter Solid Edge with other alternatives:** - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-simscale) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-fluent-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-openfoam) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/comsol-multiphysics-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-matlab) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-solidworks) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/designcenter-solid-edge-vs-onshape) - [Designcenter Solid Edge vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) ### 10. [Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-cfx/reviews) By Ansys, Inc. **Average Rating:** 4.6/5 **Total Reviews:** 18 ANSYS CFX is a high-performance computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software tool that delivers reliable and accurate solutions quickly and robustly across a wide range of CFD and multi-physics applications. CFX is recognized for its outstanding accuracy, robustness and speed with rotating machinery such as pumps, fans, compressors, and gas and hydraulic turbines. Reviewers say compared to Autodesk CFD, Ansys CFX is: - Better at meeting requirements - More expensive Categories in common with Autodesk CFD: [Simulation & CAE](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Compare:** [Autodesk CFD vs Ansys CFX](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-autodesk-cfd) **Compare Ansys CFX with other alternatives:** - [Ansys CFX vs SimScale](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-simscale) - [Ansys CFX vs Ansys Fluent](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-ansys-fluent) - [Ansys CFX vs SolidWorks Flow Simulation](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-solidworks-solidworks-flow-simulation) - [Ansys CFX vs OpenFOAM](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-openfoam) - [Ansys CFX vs COMSOL Multiphysics®](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-comsol-multiphysics) - [Ansys CFX vs MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-matlab) - [Ansys CFX vs SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-solidworks) - [Ansys CFX vs Onshape](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-onshape) - [Ansys CFX vs Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/compare/ansys-cfx-vs-designcenter-solid-edge) ## Explore Articles - [Which encryption software prevents accidental unencrypted data transmission and sensitive information leakage incidents?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-encryption-software-prevents-accidental-unencrypted-data-transmission-and-sensitive-information-leakage-incidents) - [Best AI-based background removal and image inpainting tools for e-commerce](https://www.g2.com/discussions/best-ai-based-background-removal-and-image-inpainting-tools-for-e-commerce) - [best customer communications management software](https://www.g2.com/discussions/the-best-customer-communications-management-software-need-help-choosing) - [What inspection management software lets teams capture photos alongside notes so inspection reports actually contain useful documentation rather than just checkboxes?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-inspection-management-software-lets-teams-capture-photos-alongside-notes-so-inspection-reports-actually-contain-useful-documentation-rather-than-just-checkboxes) - [Best AI platforms for summarizing meeting discussions](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-best-ai-platforms-for-summarizing-meeting-discussions) - [Natural Language Understanding (NLU)](https://www.g2.com/glossary/natural-language-understanding-nlu-definition) ## Spotlight Categories - [Event Registration and Ticketing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/event-registration-ticketing) - [Background Check Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/background-check) - [E-commerce Fraud Protection Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/e-commerce-fraud-protection)