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Commercial CFD Software

Ansys


Developer:

Ansus Inc

Primary Focus:

High-fidelity fluid flow, heat transfer and turbulence simulations

Features:

  • Handles complex fluid dynamics probelms (multiphase, turbulence, combustion).
  • Supports steady and transient flow simulations.
  • Advanced meshing capabilities (polyhedral, tetrahedral and structrued).
  • Built-in turbulence and multiphase models.
  • High-performance computing (HPC) support for large-scale simulations.

Strengths:

  • Highly accurate, validated for a wide range of industries.
  • Suitable for complex physics problems.
  • Extensive solver options and meshing tools.

Weaknesses:

  • Expensive and requires significant computational resources.
  • Complex interface and steep learning curve.

Pricing:

Expensive (enterprise level)


OpenFOAM


Developer:

OpenCFD ltd. (ESI Group)

Primary Focus:

Open-source CFD for a wide variety of applications

Features:

  • Fully open-source CFD platform.
  • Highly customizable and scriptable.
  • Supports multiphase flows, combustion, turbulence, heat transfer and more.
  • Flexible meshing options.
  • Extensive user community and support via forums.

Strengths:

  • Completely free and open-source.
  • Customizable and modifiable for research and academic purposes.
  • Can handle complex physics if properly set up.

Weaknesses:

  • Steep learning curve for begginers.
  • No out of the box GUI (third party tools required)

Pricing:

Free


Simscale


Developer:

SimScale GmbH

Primary Focus:

Cloud-based CFD, structural analysis and thermal simulation

Features:

  • Fully cloud-based simulation platform.
  • Real-time collaboration and easy sharing of projects.
  • Browser-based meshing and post-processing.
  • Uses OpenFOAM and other solvers for backend processing.
  • Simulation templates for common problems (HVAC, electronics cooling etc).

Strengths:

  • Easy to use with an intuitive web interface.
  • No need for high-end hardware (cloud computing).
  • Ideal for teams and collaboration across regions.

Weaknesses:

  • Dependent on internet connection.
  • limited customization.
  • Can get expensive for heavy users.

Pricing:

  • Free with limited features.
  • Paid plans start at roughly £900 per year.


Star-CCM+


Developer:

Siemens Digital Industries Software

Primary Focus:

CFD with an emphasis on multiphysics indlucing fluid flow, heat transfer and solid mechanics

Features:

  • Strong in multiphysics and large-scale simulations.
  • Fully integrated CFD, FEA and thermal analysis.
  • Advanced meshing tools.
  • Efficient handling of complex geometries and large assemblies.
  • High-performance computing (HPC) support.

Strengths:

  • Excellent for multiphysics simulations.
  • Strong meshing capabilities and accurate results.
  • Scaleable for large and complex projects.

Weaknesses:

  • Expensive with high licensing fees.
  • Requires significant computational resources.

Pricing:

Expensive (enterprise pricing)

Autodesk CFD


Developer:

Autodesk

Primary Focus:

Cloud-based CFD with a focus on thermal, fluid flow and electronics cooling simulations

Features:

  • Cloud and desktop versions for flexibility.
  • Focused on stead-state flow and thermal analysis.
  • Integration with Autodesk Inventor and Revit for streamlined workflows.
  • Simplified setup and automation of common simulation tasks
  • 3D CAD integration with automatic mesh generation.

Strengths:

  • Easy to use, good for designers and engineers who are not CFD specialists.
  • Good for heat transfer and electronics cooling.
  • Affordable, with cloud-based scalability.

Weaknesses:

  • Limited in terms of advanced fluid dynamics capabilities.
  • Unsuitable for very complex or highly non-linear problems

Pricing:

Subscription based (enterprise level pricing)