# SolidWorks Simulation Premium Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra

> With the help of Capterra, learn about SolidWorks Simulation Premium Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Simulation products and more.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium

---

# 

 SolidWorks Simulation Premium Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons

Last updated on March 13, 2026

Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.

[Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews)

SolidWorks Simulation Premium

## What is SolidWorks Simulation Premium?

Comprehensive SOLIDWORKS Simulation suite allows you evaluate performance, improve quality and increase product innovation. Establish real-world scenarios to test products prior to manufacture for a wide range of parameters such as durability, static and dynamic response, motion of assembly, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and plastic injection.

## What is SolidWorks Simulation Premium used for?

[Simulation](https://www.capterra.com/simulation-software/)

Top alternative

Featured

Overall rating

Based on 56 user reviews

Reviews sentiment

Positive

91%

Neutral

9%

Negative

0%

Contact vendor  
for pricing

Free trial  
available

Includes Free Version

Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products...

Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings...

Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings...

Do you work for SolidWorks Simulation Premium?[Manage this product listing](https://digitalmarkets.gartner.com/get-listed/claim-bx?url=http://www.solidworks.com&name=SolidWorks Simulation Premium)

## Compare with a popular alternative

Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status.

### SolidWorks Simulation Premium

4.4 (56)

VS.

[4.6 (142)](https://www.capterra.com/p/114609/SIMUL8-Professional/reviews/)

Starting Price

Contact vendor

Starting Price

$6049

Per User, Per Year

Free Trial

Free Version

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

Ease Of Use

4.2 (56)

Ease Of Use

4.3 (142)

Value For Money

4.4 (43)

Value For Money

4.5 (114)

Customer Service

4.1 (39)

Customer Service

4.9 (131)

## SolidWorks Simulation Premium alternatives

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

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

Starting price

Contact vendor for pricing

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

94%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/95940/AnyLogic/)

[MATLAB](https://www.capterra.com/p/125813/MATLAB/)

[4.6 (2,095)](https://www.capterra.com/p/125813/MATLAB/reviews/)

Starting price

$203.63

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

96%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/125813/MATLAB/)

Highest Rated

[PTV Vissim](https://www.capterra.com/p/10031498/PTV-Vissim/)

[4.9 (16)](https://www.capterra.com/p/10031498/PTV-Vissim/#reviews)

Starting price

Contact vendor for pricing

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

100%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/10031498/PTV-Vissim/)

[Treble Acoustic Simulation Suite](https://www.capterra.com/p/10009212/Treble-Acoustic-Simulation-Suite/)

[4.4 (15)](https://www.capterra.com/p/10009212/Treble-Acoustic-Simulation-Suite/reviews/)

Starting price

$149.00

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

80%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/10009212/Treble-Acoustic-Simulation-Suite/)

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

## FAQs about SolidWorks Simulation Premium

Overview

### Which roles and teams benefit most from SolidWorks Simulation Premium?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium is most used by mechanical engineers, application engineers, and broader product design teams that need to validate stress, motion, fatigue, and performance before prototyping. Engineering leaders and project engineers use it to improve design decisions, while students and research assistants apply it for learning, experimentation, and technical analysis.

Answer based on 56 reviews

Overview

### What company size and industries is SolidWorks Simulation Premium built for?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium is built for businesses of all sizes, led by small businesses at 45%, with Mechanical or Industrial Engineering the top industry at 35%. It also serves enterprises at 35% and midsize firms at 20%, with strong use in Automotive at 16% for simulation.

Answer based on 56 reviews

Features and Usability

### What are the key features of SolidWorks Simulation Premium?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium includes core simulation and analysis tools for finite element analysis, motion modeling, dynamic modeling, and turbulence modeling. Reviewers also highlight integrated 3D modeling, design optimization, graphical data presentation, and reporting/analytics, with the CAD-linked user interface making design changes and reruns easier during design projects.

Answer based on 37 reviews

Overview

### How good is it for engineering simulation work?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium handles everyday engineering simulation well, especially for design validation, what-if studies, and quick iteration. Mechanical engineers, designers, and student teams value its CAD integration, clear setup, and support for structural, thermal, motion, and flow studies, though advanced research cases, meshing control, and hardware demands can limit more complex work.

Answer based on 37 reviews

Overview

### How well does it handle analysis tasks?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium supports common analysis tasks effectively, especially for preliminary design studies and visual result reviews. Engineers, students, and product teams use it for stress, buckling, vibration, flow, and material checks, but some analysts find advanced fatigue options, contact behavior, custom methods, and large-model performance less flexible than specialist tools.

Answer based on 20 reviews

Overview

### Is it good for design projects and prototypes?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium works well for design projects, prototypes, and product development where modeling and validation happen together. Engineering students, mechanical designers, and industrial teams like the familiar interface, built-in libraries, templates, and fast design changes, though very complex projects or missing modules may push some teams toward other tools.

Answer based on 16 reviews

Integrations

### Which third-party tools and platforms does SolidWorks Simulation Premium integrate with?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium integrates with SolidWorks Premium. Reviewer feedback consistently describes it as an add-on embedded within the SolidWorks CAD environment, letting users model geometry in SolidWorks and run simulation studies in the same workflow. Other named tools like ANSYS, ABAQUS, NASTRAN, MATLAB, and AutoCAD appear as comparisons, not confirmed integrations.

Answer based on 24 reviews

Getting Started and Support

### How easy is it to onboard and train a team on SolidWorks Simulation Premium?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium offers in-person training, live online sessions, webinars, and documentation. Reviewers say entry-level mechanical engineers, designers, and students can learn basic modeling and analysis fairly quickly, especially with built-in guidance and tutorials. Nontechnical users and teams handling advanced simulations typically need more time because the learning curve is steep.

Answer based on 21 reviews

Getting Started and Support

### What customer support options does SolidWorks Simulation Premium offer?

SolidWorks Simulation Premium provides chat support. Reviewer feedback offers little detail on support quality, with one user noting they had not needed to contact customer support. That leaves support experience largely unclear, though the available channel suggests quick access for routine questions and issues.

Answer based on 1 reviews

## Features

Features with the highest number of reviews are displayed first. Those that have no reviews appear next, sorted alphabetically.

Design Analysis

4.2 (9)

55.56% of 9 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Simulate physical behavior for a design or structure

Mathematical Modeling

4.3 (9)

55.56% of 9 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Representing and explaining real systems and occurrences using math formulas, descriptions, and approaches

Dynamic Modeling

4.3 (8)

62.50% of 8 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Ability to learn and adapt from interactions with environment and data, and to model varying behavior over time.

Graphical Data Presentation

4.5 (8)

62.50% of 8 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Visual representation of data using various graphical elements such as charts, graphs, maps & other visual aids

Discrete Event Modeling

3.7 (6)

33.33% of 6 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

model where events occur in particular orders and times

Turbulence Modeling

4.2 (6)

33.33% of 6 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

model to predict fluid dynamics, not limited to airflow

SolidWorks Simulation Premium 12 features

Simulate physical behavior for a design or structure

Capabilities within graphical user interfaces that allow users to interact directly with objects to perform a task

model where events occur in particular orders and times

Ability to learn and adapt from interactions with environment and data, and to model varying behavior over time.

Visual representation of data using various graphical elements such as charts, graphs, maps & other visual aids

Database containing variables, data, and templates for mathematical analysis

Representing and explaining real systems and occurrences using math formulas, descriptions, and approaches

simulation based on physical movement

Share and present designs

View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data

probability model based on random variations of variables

model to predict fluid dynamics, not limited to airflow

Features

4.2 (56)

4.2

Based on 56 reviews

## Pricing

Value for money

4.4 (43)

Value for money

4.4 (43)

4.4

Based on 43 reviews

## Support, customer service and training options

Customer Service

4.1 (39)

Support

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

Training

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

Deployment

-   Web
-   Android
-   iPhone/iPad

Typical users

-   Freelancers
-   Small businesses
-   Mid size businesses
-   Enterprises

Customer Service

4.1 (39)

4.1

Based on 39 reviews

## User reviews

Overall rating

4.4

Based on 56 reviews

Filter by rating

5(28)

4(23)

3(5)

2(0)

1(0)

Mentioned topic

Sorted by most recent

NW

Nathan W.

Engineer

Automotive

### "A solid FEA tool for those that don't run FEA everyday"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

8/10

May 20, 2024

A great program that is simple to use to gut-check our designs before sending to the broader analysis team.

Pros

I like that the constraints are easy to set up and modify. The analysis is saved within the model itself, so rerunning and remeshing is simple.

Cons

Edge connections for deformation or heat transfer is difficult for the mesher. Usually, we have to "work around" this by introducing a more substantial interference within the model. I wish there was a better way to do this "for simulation only" connection.

Switched from

[SimSolid](https://www.capterra.com/p/160500/SIMSOLID/)

[Inspire](https://www.capterra.com/p/173729/Solidthinking/)

[Creo](https://www.capterra.com/p/164678/Creo/)

Solidworks native simulation was important for consistency with our CAD.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

MN

Mohd Nubli B.

Lecturer

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

### "Really helpful software"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

February 27, 2023

I have been using SolidWorks for about four years and am very impressed with it. This software has streamlined my workflow and I find it easy to use. The customer service is excellent, and I have never had any problems with the software. I would recommend it to others.

Pros

The advantage of using SolidWorks Simulation is that some users may find it very useful to understand how a component or assembly will behave in a particular configuration. It also allows users to discover assemblies by exploding, unexploding, and hiding parts from viewing capabilities. In addition, the dimensions of the 3D CAD model are automatically according to industry standards.

Cons

While the downside is that users may find it more time consuming and more expensive than using other simple model. Additionally, SolidWorks Simulation can be difficult to use to create large and complex models, as it requires a high level of expertise and familiarity with the software.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

JE

John E.

Mechanical Engineer

Automotive

### "Solidworks, an engineer's friend! "

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

9/10

February 20, 2023

Overall, my experience was a pleasant one. I enjoyed simulating using it, just as much as I enjoyed using Solidworks to draw the simulation file.

Pros

Amongst my first CAD software ever, it was easy to use and learn, a heaven for young aspiring engineers to get a feel for the 3D CAD world and use it to start designing their ideas and projects. With a huge library to choose from for different bolts, metals, and other design related options, Solidworks is an ideal software, and to pair that with its simulation capability provided by Simulation Premium, it becomes a hard act to follow as they say! An advanced simulation software that can solve practically any properly setup simulation whether linear or nonlinear, with good merit and a reasonable result.

Cons

Sometimes the errors aren't as detailed as one would hope, and it is thus difficult for a beginner to find out exactly where he or she went wrong.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

MH

Marwan H.

student

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing

### "good review for the solid works program"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

2.0

2.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

February 20, 2023

Pros

have many functions almost all the functions needed for the any project

Cons

it is so heavy on the laptop and makes it lag

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

ND

Nicola D.

Studente

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

### "Essenziale per ingegneri"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

3.0

3.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

2.0

2.0

Likelihood to Recommend

8/10

February 13, 2023

Pros

Apparentemente complesso ma in realtá è molto semplice da utilizzare, a patto di aver un buon docente che insegni il suo utilizzo. Il vantaggio è quello di aver una rappresentazione reale di quanto studiato sui libri

Cons

A volte si blocca sui computer più vecchi

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

AF

Alessandro F.

Progettista meccanico

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

### "Bene ma non benissimo "

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

3.0

3.0

Features

3.0

3.0

Customer Service

3.0

3.0

Likelihood to Recommend

7/10

January 24, 2023

Pros

Facilità di utilizzo se impiegato da persona competente nel disegno meccanico

Cons

Problemi visualizzazione e selezione oggetti in particolare nell'ambiente messa in tavola

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

AN

Anonymous User

Mechanical Engineer

Higher Education

### "Easy and beginner friendly FE simulation software but inappropriate for complex applications"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

3.0

3.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

7/10

November 20, 2022

Pros

Ease of use even for beginners, good for an introduction in the world of FE simulations.Offers some advanced simulation features.Includes design optimization.

Cons

Limited simulation parameters can be customized.It is not suitable for very complex FE simulations especially when there are contacts between different parts.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

NR

Naveen R.

Tech Manager

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

### "A FEA tool for Every Design Engineer"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

8/10

October 25, 2022

Since SolidWorks Simulation Premium is an integrated tool within Design environment , performance of the Design can be analysed right at the design stage instead of prototype testing thereby reducing time, materials & effortsThe failure locations can be predicted & necessary design change actions can be taken

Pros

SolidWorks Simulation User interface is by far the best for Design Engineer to setup their analysis . The integrations with Design Interface is seamless wherein any Design Changes are updated in analysis thereby cutting short the need to resetup the analysis again

Cons

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

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

AN

Anonymous User

Mechanical engineer

Semiconductors

### "Very powerful simulation package."

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

8/10

August 21, 2022

Using simulation premium was similar to standard simulation, but it allowed for greater functionality.

Pros

This software contained extremely powerful simulation toolboxes that were needed for a project, such as non-linear and dynamic modeling.

Cons

This software had much more functionality than was required for our purposes. It was too complex.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

TA

Tariq A.

Student

Education Management

### "An good alternative for the beginner"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

June 14, 2022

Overall, its a great too for anyone who wants to dip their hands into the world of simulation. You get perfect and presentable reports coupled with high contrast images that can uplift the quality of the presentation.

Pros

It is extremely straightforward, especially comparing it to other softwares like ansys workbench, comsol and abaqus. The results are really well presented and a report can be printed which has all the essentials that i will need for any presentation.

Cons

However, there is no option for simulation of additive manufacturing materials, for which we have to use comsol or abaqus. Also, in some cases, people have reported that the method used is a tad bit less accurate that other softwares when compared to the experimental results.

Switched from

[COMSOL Multiphysics](https://www.capterra.com/p/123801/COMSOL-Multiphysics/)

Just for a trial.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

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

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