No. 18 of 20 ·Generative Design Software

OpenMDAO

Linux · Self-hosted

Freedom report

One barScore 5.0

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedThinly documented

OpenMDAO is ranked #18 of 20 in generative design software on Freedom251. It runs on Linux, Self-hosted. There is a free plan.

OpenMDAO plans and pricing

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OpenMDAO Free open-source framework · Apache 2.0 license openmdao.org · 4 Oct 2026

Compared on generative design software

Simulation integration: Yes

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The record

Purpose: OpenMDAO is an open-source Python framework for systems analysis and multidisciplinary optimization.
Primary method: The project focuses on gradient-based optimization with analytic derivatives for design spaces with hundreds or thousands of design variables.
Other optimization: Its parallel computing features can also support gradient-free optimization, mixed-integer nonlinear programming, and design space exploration.
Model structure: Models are built from components and groups, with drivers that can run optimization algorithms or design of experiments.
Solver features: OpenMDAO provides nonlinear and linear solvers that can be placed at different levels of a model hierarchy.
Derivative tools: It supports analytic partial derivatives, finite-difference and complex-step approximations, derivative checking, and forward or reverse total derivative calculations.
Parallel computing: MPI features can run parallel subsystems and distributed variables across multiple processes.
Visualization and recording: Documented features include model visualizations, optimization progress plots, and recording and reading model or solver cases.
Related libraries: The project identifies Dymos for transient modeling and optimal control and pyCycle for turbine engine cycle analysis as libraries built on OpenMDAO.
License: OpenMDAO is released under the Apache 2.0 license, which the project says permits proprietary software to be integrated without making it open source.
Installation: The project documents installation from PyPI or a cloned GitHub repository, with optional dependency sets for testing, documentation, and visualization.
Version requirements: The repository says the current supported OpenMDAO 3.x line requires Python 3.10 or later and that its API may change periodically while in active development.
Parallel dependency limit: The documentation says parallel finite-difference and complex-step derivative approximation requires MPI and may not run on Colab or Binder.
Intended users: The project describes applications including cubesat design and mission planning, wind turbine design, and unconventional aircraft concepts.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Generative Design Software in 2026#18 of 20

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Sources

openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/· checked 4 Oct 2026
openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/theory_manual/c· checked 4 Oct 2026
openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/features/core_f· checked 4 Oct 2026
openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/features/core_f· checked 4 Oct 2026
openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/theory_manual/m· checked 4 Oct 2026
openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/features/featur· checked 4 Oct 2026
openmdao.org· checked 4 Oct 2026
openmdao.org/what-is-openmdao/· checked 4 Oct 2026
github.com/OpenMDAO/OpenMDAO· checked 4 Oct 2026
openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/features/core_f· checked 4 Oct 2026