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Best CFD software in 2026

  1. 1

    SimFlow

    by SimFlow
    Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1

    SimFlow offers a locally run CFD workflow, with a free option capped by mesh size and CPU count. Its commercial plans provide unlimited mesh and CPUs, but start at €8,000 per year.

    7.0 Free plan · paid from €8,000/user/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
  2. 2

    SimScale

    by SimScale
    Free plan Web

    SimScale offers a web-based route to engineering simulation across several physics areas, with collaboration and CAD integrations.

    6.5 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    BARAM

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows
    6.4 Free plan · paid from $5,000/user/yr Visit site
  4. 4

    COMSOL Multiphysics

    by COMSOL Multiphysics
    Free trial APILinuxMac+3

    COMSOL Multiphysics covers a broad modeling workflow, with tools for simulation, model management, and custom interfaces.

    6.4 Pricing on request Visit site
  5. 5

    Basilisk

    Free plan LinuxMac
    6.2 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    Code_Saturne

    Free plan Linux
    6.0 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    DualSPHysics

    Free plan LinuxWindows
    6.0 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    OpenFOAM

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows
    6.0 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    Ansys Fluent

    by Ansys Fluent
    Paid LinuxSelf-hostedWindows

    Fluent offers a broad CFD workflow with extensive physics, solver, meshing, optimization, and integration options.

    5.9 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
  10. 10

    OpenLB

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows
    5.9 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    NekRS

    Free plan LinuxMac
    5.8 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Palabos

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows
    5.8 Free plan Visit site
  13. 13

    OrCAD X

    Free trial WebWindows

    OrCAD X combines PCB design with simulation and mechanical-design collaboration, while higher tiers add Live BOM and other capabilities.

    5.7 30-day trial Visit site
  14. 14

    SU2

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows
    5.7 Free plan Visit site
  15. 15

    Altair nanoFluidX

    Paid LinuxWindows
    4.9 Pricing on request Visit site
  16. 16

    CFD++

    Paid LinuxWebWindows
    4.8 Pricing on request Visit site
  17. 17

    Cradle CFD scFLOW

    Paid LinuxWindows
    4.5 Pricing on request Visit site
  18. 18

    M-Star CFD

    Paid LinuxWindows
    4.4 Pricing on request Visit site
  19. 19

    HELYX

    Paid LinuxWindows
    4.3 Pricing on request Visit site
  20. 20

    CONVERGE

    Paid
    4.1 Pricing on request Visit site
  21. 21

    PHOENICS

    Paid
    3.8 Pricing on request Visit site
  22. 22

    SIMULIA Tosca

    Paid
    3.8 Pricing on request Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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