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OpenFOAM vs SimScale: catalog facts
OpenFOAM	SimScale
Best for: Engineers and researchers running fluid dynamics simulations without commercial licence costs	Best for: Engineering teams running CFD and FEA without local hardware
Free Free and open source.	Paid Commercial subscription; plans are listed on the pricing page.
Linux, Command line	Web
Wide range of physics: turbulence, heat transfer, reactions, acoustics Predictable six-monthly releases All 4 strengths for OpenFOAM Wide range of physics: turbulence, heat transfer, reactions, acoustics Predictable six-monthly releases Extensive regression and performance testing Large user base in industry and academia	Runs entirely in the browser on cloud compute Covers CFD, FEA, thermal and electromagnetics All 3 strengths for SimScale Runs entirely in the browser on cloud compute Covers CFD, FEA, thermal and electromagnetics Documentation, forum and public example projects
Command-line and case-file driven, with a steep learning curve No built-in graphical interface for setup	Requires an internet connection and account Aimed at professional engineering budgets
Downloadable app	Web application
Open source	Not open source
License: GPL-3.0	License not stated
No account needed	Account needed
Offline features available	Needs internet
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for OpenFOAM openfoam.com Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for SimScale simscale.com Catalog checked October 1, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.