# Compare SolidWorks Simulation Premium vs OpenFOAM 2026 | Capterra

> Unsure of what to choose? Check Capterra to compare SolidWorks Simulation Premium and OpenFOAM based on pricing, features, product details, and verified reviews.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/compare/124171-228637/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium-vs-OpenFOAM

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# SolidWorks Simulation Premium vs OpenFOAM Features and Cost Comparison

Last updated March 13th, 2026

Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews  
moderated by our Reviews Verification team.[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/)

Your comparison:

SolidWorks Simulation PremiumOpenFOAM2/4 selected

[SolidWorks Simulation Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/)[4.4 (56)](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/reviews/)

[OpenFOAM](https://www.capterra.com/p/228637/OpenFOAM/)[4.6 (11)](https://www.capterra.com/p/228637/OpenFOAM/reviews/)

[## SolidWorks Simulation Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/)[4.4 (56)](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/reviews/)

Starting Price

Contact vendor

Value-for-Money

4.4

Functionality

4.2

Ease of Use

4.2

Customer Service

4.1

Reviews Sentiment

Based on [56 reviews](#user-reviews)

Positive

51

Neutral

5

Negative

0

[## OpenFOAM](https://www.capterra.com/p/228637/OpenFOAM/)[4.6 (11)](https://www.capterra.com/p/228637/OpenFOAM/reviews/)

Starting Price

Contact vendor

Value-for-Money

4.6

Functionality

4.5

Ease of Use

3.1

Customer Service

3

Reviews Sentiment

Based on [11 reviews](#user-reviews)

Positive

11

Neutral

0

Negative

0

## Not a match? Find software alternatives tailored to your priorities.

These software suggestions are similar to those you’re currently comparing.

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Starting Price

$6049.00

Per User,Per Year

Free Trial

Free Version

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User rating

95%

of reviewers  
rated it above 4 stars

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### Visual Components

4.4 (53)

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Starting Price

€0.01

Per Feature

Free Trial

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User rating

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of reviewers  
rated it above 4 stars

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Highest Rated

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4.8 (4)

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User rating

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of reviewers  
rated it above 4 stars

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### Witness

4.4 (38)

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Starting Price

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Free Trial

Free Version

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User rating

92%

of reviewers  
rated it above 4 stars

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## Send this comparison chart to my inbox

### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.

## Summary

* * *

Features in Simulation Software

Best performer

12 / 50

Only SolidWorks Simulation Premium

-   Discrete Event Modeling
-   Dynamic Modeling
-   Graphical Data Presentation

8 / 50

Only OpenFOAM

-   Activity Dashboard
-   Continuous Modeling
-   Data Visualization

User satisfaction

User satisfaction

4.4

User reviews[56](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/reviews/)

Ease of use

4.2

Functionality

4.2

Value for money

4.4

Customer support

4.1

User satisfaction

4.6

User reviews[11](https://www.capterra.com/p/228637/OpenFOAM/reviews/)

Ease of use

3.1

Functionality

4.5

Value for money

4.6

Customer support

3.0

Price starts from

Price starts from

\--

-   Free version
-   Free trial

Price starts from

\--

-   Free version
-   Free trial

Best for

Best for

Cloud-based and on-premise simulation platform that enables businesses of all sizes to evaluate structural designs, dynamic loading, and composite materials.

Best for

Open-source simulation software designed to help businesses of all sizes with mesh generation and turbulence modeling.

## User reviews

Pros & cons

NW

Nathan W.

Engineer

> "I like that the constraints are easy to set up and modify."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___6310898)

JE

John E.

Mechanical Engineer

> "Sometimes the errors aren't as detailed as one would hope, and it is thus difficult for a beginner to find out exactly..."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___4606424)

TA

Tariq A.

Student

> "The results are really well presented and a report can be printed which has all the essentials that i will need for any..."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___3578225)

NR

Naveen R.

Tech Manager

> "The least liked about the Solidworks Simulation is type of elements available & nonlinear solving capabilities"

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___4083119)

VR

Verified Reviewer

Mechanical Engineer

> "Ease of use even for beginners, good for an introduction in the world of FE simulations."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___4245179)

MNB

Mohd Nubli B.

Lecturer

> "While the downside is that users may find it more time consuming and more expensive than using other simple model."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___4623323)

MNB

Mohd Nubli B.

Lecturer

> "This software has streamlined my workflow and I find it easy to use."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___4623323)

VR

Verified Reviewer

Mechanical engineer

> "It was too complex."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___3772358)

VR

Verified Reviewer

Junior Project Engineer

> "Solidworks also generates very comprehensive test reports so the user can focus on the study they are running and less..."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___2322254)

Tousif A.

Research Assistant

> "It cannot handle custom element codes for advance simulation techniques such as Phase Field Modeling."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___2544106)

SH

Sanjaya H.

student

> "It has a unique user-friendly interface that is unique to 3D modeling. Although relatively similar to AutoCAD software,..."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___2360281)

SH

Sanjaya H.

student

> "The results are not 100% accurate when comparing with Ansys software."

[See full review](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#Capterra___2360281)

[View Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/reviews/)

Not enough reviews

## User interface

No images or videos  
provided by vendor

No images or videos  
provided by vendor

### Features

SolidWorks Simulation Premium

Top features

12/50

-   3D Imaging
-   Access Controls/Permissions
-   Activity Dashboard
-   Ad hoc Analysis
-   Agent-Based Modeling
-   AI Copilot
-   API
-   Change Management
-   Compliance Management
-   Configurable Workflow
-   Content Library
-   Continuous Modeling
-   Customizable Reports
-   Customization
-   Data Import/Export
-   Data Verification
-   Data Visualization
-   Design Analysis
-   Design Management
-   Direct Manipulation
-   Discrete Event Modeling
-   Document Management
-   Drag & Drop
-   Dynamic Modeling
-   File Management
-   Generative AI
-   Graphical Data Presentation
-   Graphical Workflow Editor
-   Industry Specific Database
-   Mathematical Modeling
-   Monte Carlo Simulation
-   Motion Modeling
-   Performance Management
-   Policy Management
-   Predictive Analytics
-   Presentation Tools
-   Process Control
-   Product Data Management
-   Projections
-   Project Workflow
-   Real-Time Data
-   Real-Time Monitoring
-   Reporting/Analytics
-   Reporting & Statistics
-   Rules-Based Workflow
-   Scenario Planning
-   Stochastic Modeling
-   Third-Party Integrations
-   Turbulence Modeling
-   Version Control

[See all features](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/#features)

OpenFOAM

8/50

-   3D Imaging
-   Access Controls/Permissions
-   Activity Dashboard
-   Ad hoc Analysis
-   Agent-Based Modeling
-   AI Copilot
-   API
-   Change Management
-   Compliance Management
-   Configurable Workflow
-   Content Library
-   Continuous Modeling
-   Customizable Reports
-   Customization
-   Data Import/Export
-   Data Verification
-   Data Visualization
-   Design Analysis
-   Design Management
-   Direct Manipulation
-   Discrete Event Modeling
-   Document Management
-   Drag & Drop
-   Dynamic Modeling
-   File Management
-   Generative AI
-   Graphical Data Presentation
-   Graphical Workflow Editor
-   Industry Specific Database
-   Mathematical Modeling
-   Monte Carlo Simulation
-   Motion Modeling
-   Performance Management
-   Policy Management
-   Predictive Analytics
-   Presentation Tools
-   Process Control
-   Product Data Management
-   Projections
-   Project Workflow
-   Real-Time Data
-   Real-Time Monitoring
-   Reporting/Analytics
-   Reporting & Statistics
-   Rules-Based Workflow
-   Scenario Planning
-   Stochastic Modeling
-   Third-Party Integrations
-   Turbulence Modeling
-   Version Control

[See all features](https://www.capterra.com/p/228637/OpenFOAM/#features)

### Recognition

No recognitions have been awarded to SolidWorks Simulation Premium

No recognitions have been awarded to OpenFOAM

### Deployment & support

SolidWorks Simulation Premium

Deployment

-   Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based
-   Desktop Mac
-   Desktop Windows
-   Desktop Linux
-   On-Premise Windows
-   On-Premise Linux
-   Desktop Chromebook
-   Mobile Android
-   Mobile iPhone
-   Mobile iPad

Support

-   Email/Help Desk
-   FAQs/Forum
-   Knowledge Base
-   Phone Support
-   24/7 (Live rep)
-   Chat

Training

-   In Person
-   Live Online
-   Webinars
-   Documentation
-   Videos

OpenFOAM

Deployment

-   Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based
-   Desktop Mac
-   Desktop Windows
-   Desktop Linux
-   On-Premise Windows
-   On-Premise Linux
-   Desktop Chromebook
-   Mobile Android
-   Mobile iPhone
-   Mobile iPad

Support

-   Email/Help Desk
-   FAQs/Forum
-   Knowledge Base
-   Phone Support
-   24/7 (Live rep)
-   Chat

Training

-   In Person
-   Live Online
-   Webinars
-   Documentation
-   Videos

### Company Details

SolidWorks Simulation Premium

-   By SolidWorks
-   Located in United States
-   Founded in 1993

OpenFOAM

-   By The OpenFOAM Foundation
-   Located in United Kingdom
-   Founded in

## Popular Comparisons

[SolidWorks Simulation Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/)[4.41 (56)](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/reviews/)

vs

[AnyLogic](https://www.capterra.com/p/95940/AnyLogic/)[4.55 (518)](https://www.capterra.com/p/95940/AnyLogic/reviews/)

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Price

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4.2

Features

4.5

4.2

Ease of Use

4.0

[View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/95940-124171/AnyLogic-vs-SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium)

[SolidWorks Simulation Premium](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/)[4.41 (56)](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/reviews/)

vs

[Ansys Discovery](https://www.capterra.com/p/245795/Ansys-Discovery/)[3.94 (17)](https://www.capterra.com/p/245795/Ansys-Discovery/reviews/)

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Price

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4.2

Features

3.6

4.2

Ease of Use

3.9

[View full comparison](https://www.capterra.com/compare/124171-245795/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium-vs-Ansys-Discovery)