Side by side
OpenSim vs Xcos
Both stand on physics simulation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxMac+1
OpenSim offers modeling, simulation and analysis tools with scripting options across several languages. Check the GUI platform limitation and plugin compatibility requirements before choosing it.
Visit OpenSim Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose Xcos if you need a free desktop editor for building and simulating hybrid dynamical-system models, especially for industrial or academic work. Its palettes, reusable superblocks, configurable subsystems, and Modelica support cover a range of modeling workflows. Modelica use requires a C compiler, and the listed delivery mode is desktop.
Visit XcosThe facts
| OpenSim | Xcos | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Xcos |
| Website | opensim.stanford.edu | scilab.org |
| On physics simulation software | #2 of 89 | #6 of 89 |
OpenSim: what it does well
- Includes tools for four types of movement analysis.
- API supports Matlab, Python, Java and C++.
- Can read marker and force data in C3D files.
- Documentation, tutorials and a discussion forum are available.
What to know first
- No public Linux GUI distribution.
- Plugins must match the OpenSim version and platform.
- Download requires a SimTK account.
Xcos: what it does well
- Free software distributed with Scilab.
- Runs on Windows, Linux, and Intel or ARM macOS.
- Models can be designed, loaded, saved, compiled, and simulated.
- Supports user-defined palettes and reusable superblocks.
- All Scilab data types are available for signal definition.
What to know first
- A C compiler is needed to use Modelica in Xcos.
- Xcos is delivered as desktop software.