Best Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Software with a Free Trial of 2026

Azore is software for computational fluid dynamics. It analyzes fluid flow and heat transfers. CFD allows engineers and scientists to analyze a wide range of fluid mechanics problems, thermal and chemical problems numerically using a computer. Azore can simulate a wide range of fluid dynamics situations, including air, liquids, gases, and particulate-laden flow. Azore is commonly used to model the flow of liquids through a piping or evaluate water velocity profiles around submerged items. Azore can also analyze the flow of gases or air, such as simulating ambient air velocity profiles as they pass around buildings, or investigating the flow, heat transfer, and mechanical equipment inside a room. Azore CFD is able to simulate virtually any incompressible fluid flow model. This includes problems involving conjugate heat transfer, species transport, and steady-state or transient fluid flows.

SkyCiv Structural 3D, a cloud-based Structural Analysis program, allows users to design, analyze, and model complex 3D structures. It can be used online and does not require installation. SkyCiv Structural 3D is the best online structural analysis. It includes the following: – Powerful Analysis: Linear and P-Delta Cables, Buckling Plates, Frequency RS - Integrated design checks for steel, wood connections, foundations wind (AISC. NSD. AISI. EN. AS. CSA. BS plus more ...)

AGVortex program models airfoils' flows. It includes a 3D editor, control panel and modeling area. The solver is based upon vorticity dynamics. This allows you to solve LES turbulence model using multi-core processors or clusters that use parallel computing.

Welding Sequence Optimizer plugin is for Simufact Welding™. It offers a useful digital toolkit of Artificial Intelligence algorithms and Machine Learning algorithms that will allow you to minimize the inherent weld deformation. WSO has different algorithms that are suitable for specific stages of the Product Delivery Process (PDP). WSO is a fast configuration that takes less than 15 minutes and requires no human interaction to find the best sequence. Currently, you can modify the objective function for a critical area, GD&T, or any other Simufact results like XYZ displacement. Multirobot optimization is also supported.

MATLAB® offers a desktop environment specifically optimized for iterative design and analysis, paired with a programming language that allows for straightforward expression of matrix and array mathematics. It features the Live Editor, which enables users to create scripts that merge code, output, and formatted text within an interactive notebook. The toolboxes provided by MATLAB are meticulously developed, thoroughly tested, and comprehensively documented. Additionally, MATLAB applications allow users to visualize how various algorithms interact with their data. You can refine your results through repeated iterations and then easily generate a MATLAB program to replicate or automate your processes. The platform also allows for scaling analyses across clusters, GPUs, and cloud environments with minimal modifications to your existing code. There is no need to overhaul your programming practices or master complex big data techniques. You can automatically convert MATLAB algorithms into C/C++, HDL, and CUDA code, enabling execution on embedded processors or FPGA/ASIC systems. Furthermore, when used in conjunction with Simulink, MATLAB enhances the support for Model-Based Design methodologies, making it a versatile tool for engineers and researchers alike. This adaptability makes MATLAB an essential resource for tackling a wide range of computational challenges.

Orbital Stack, an AI and CFD web-based program, provides earlier qualitative guidance. It compares a wide range of land-use options and shapes, and highlights any red flags. It allows for climate-conscious, high performance developments that are not possible with traditional studies. Orbital Stack was developed by world-renowned experts in microclimate engineering and wind. It is a game-changer in the architecture and building design industry, providing our clients direct access for wind comfort and safety analysis as well as thermal comfort and shadowing analysis and cladding pressure simulations. This allows architects to quickly understand the climate effects of their proposed building designs and make better decisions, resulting in more resilient and high-performing projects.

SimScale, a web-based cloud application, plays an important role in simulation software for many industries. The platform supports Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), as well as Thermal Simulation. It also provides 3D simulation, continuous modeling, motion & dynamic modelling.

AnyLogic stands out as the leading technology in multimethod modeling, providing enhanced efficiency and reduced risk when addressing intricate business problems. Its unparalleled flexibility enables users to represent the complexities of nearly any system with varying levels of detail, fostering a better understanding of the interconnected processes both within and surrounding an organization. Additionally, AnyLogic holds a GSA Contract schedule #47QTCA18D007Q, facilitating purchases by U.S. government agencies through GSA Advantage. This makes it an accessible option for agencies looking to leverage advanced modeling tools to improve decision-making and operational effectiveness.

MicroStation is the industry-leading CAD platform from Bentley Systems, engineered for professionals designing and delivering infrastructure that shapes the modern world. It combines the power of 3D modeling, visualization, and documentation in a single, highly reliable environment. Users can draft, annotate, and model with geospatial precision, integrating real-world data from GIS systems to ensure every design aligns with physical context. Its interoperability with native DGN, DWG, and point-cloud formats allows smooth collaboration with legacy and external data without conversion errors. MicroStation’s flexibility helps teams accelerate automation, enforce design standards, and eliminate rework—saving time and reducing project risks. From city transportation systems to architectural structures, it delivers performance and precision that scales with project complexity. Through Virtuoso Subscriptions, small and medium businesses can quickly access licenses bundled with on-demand training and support. With MicroStation, professionals worldwide design smarter, communicate better, and deliver infrastructure projects that last generations.

Solid Edge is a collection of software tools that are affordable, easy-to-use, maintain, and easy to use. It advances all aspects of product development, including mechanical and electrical design, simulation, production, technical documentation, data management and cloud-based collaboration. Solid Edge is based on Siemens industry-leading technologies and offers the most comprehensive and innovative approach to product development for mainstream markets.

Mathematica represents the ultimate solution for contemporary technical computing. Over the past thirty years, it has set the benchmark for excellence in this field, serving as the primary computational framework for countless innovators, educators, students, and various professionals globally. Renowned for its impressive technical capabilities and user-friendly interface, Mathematica offers a unified, ever-evolving system that encompasses the full spectrum of technical computing. This powerful tool is conveniently accessible via any web browser in the cloud and is also available on all current desktop platforms. With a vibrant development process and a clear vision maintained for three decades, Mathematica distinguishes itself across numerous aspects, showcasing its unmatched support for the evolving needs of today’s technical computing environments and workflows, while continuing to adapt and grow with the demands of its users.

Vensim®, the software of choice of thousands of analysts and consultants worldwide, is used to build high-quality simulations in business, scientific and environmental systems. Vensim integrates a powerful set of tools to develop, test, interpret, and distribute models. These tools include cause and effect diagramming, graphical or textual model constructions, easy reproductions of model structure by using subscripts and arrays, Monte Carlo sensitivity analyses, optimization, data management, and application interfaces. Additional features allow for advanced model resolution and fidelity. Vensim uses patented techniques for error detection, prevention, and rapid understanding of complex results.

AutoCAD includes the 2022 Plant 3D toolset, which allows users to design and modify P&IDs, build 3D models, and generate piping orthographics and isometrics using specialized tools tailored for plant design. This toolset facilitates collaboration among project teams, ensuring compliance with industry standards while operating within a cloud-based common data environment. Standard symbol libraries, such as PIP, ISA, ISO/DIN, and JIS, are readily available in the tool palettes for efficient usage. Users can easily detect potential errors by analyzing P&IDs for data consistency based on customizable rules. Moreover, the tool enables rapid creation of 3D plant models utilizing parametric equipment modeling, structural steel libraries, and project-specific piping specifications derived from established piping catalogs. As the 3D model evolves, users can directly extract and update piping orthographic drawings, ensuring that all representations remain accurate. Additionally, collaboration with different industry disciplines is essential for generating comprehensive BIM models for plant projects, enhancing overall project efficiency and accuracy.

ExtendSim offers a comprehensive suite of tools suitable for various simulation tasks. Regardless of your intended application—whether it's model creation, execution, or analysis—there's a tailored package available to meet your specific requirements. The product range includes options for model construction, experimentation, and analytical assessment, along with Model Developer Editions and specialized packages focused on simulation execution, model evaluation, or educational purposes. To determine the most appropriate package for your needs, you can explore the User Types section. Users can create, utilize, and dynamically run models, develop custom interfaces and components, as well as exchange and control data with other software applications. Each Model Developer Edition (MDE) of ExtendSim retains a unified core of functionalities, allowing users to design and assemble models and interfaces, adjust parameters, execute simulations and animations, conduct experiments, and perform analyses and optimizations—all while being able to save and export their results effectively. This flexibility ensures that users can fully leverage ExtendSim's capabilities to enhance their simulation experience.

IrisVR Prospect is the most popular VR software for immersive design review, collaboration and collaboration. It is used by BIM, VDC, design firms and engineers to coordinate models and execute design and construction processes at true 1:1 scale. IrisVR integrates seamlessly with Revit, Rhino and Navisworks, SketchUp and other 3D tools. This allows you to instantly create immersive VR meetings for client presentations and design reviews, coordination, and much more.

Every day, decision making takes place at every level of every business. Simul8 allows you to make the best decisions every time and delivers serious impact quickly. Simul8 simulation software is so intuitive, quick, and effective that you'll use it every single day. Be based on truth and not hunches. Maximize flow by understanding and optimizing it. Find and inspire new ways of operating. Plan and forecast with confidence. Refute the status quo. Simul8 makes it all possible.

Fusion 360 seamlessly integrates design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing into one cohesive software environment. It offers a comprehensive suite that combines CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB capabilities within a single development platform. Additionally, users benefit from features like EAGLE Premium, HSMWorks, Team Participant, and various cloud-based services, including generative design and cloud simulation. With an extensive range of modeling tools, engineers can effectively design products while ensuring their form, fit, and function through multiple analysis techniques. Users can create and modify sketches using constraints, dimensions, and advanced sketching tools. It also allows for editing or fixing imported geometry from other file formats with ease. Design modifications can be made without concern for time-dependent features, enabling flexibility in the workflow. Furthermore, the software supports the creation of intricate parametric surfaces for tasks such as repairing or designing geometry, while history-based features like extrude, revolve, loft, and sweep dynamically adapt to any design alterations made. This versatility makes Fusion 360 an essential tool for modern engineering practices.

PoligonSoft offers a suite of advanced simulation software designed to enhance and refine the process of metal casting. This software suite empowers users to anticipate potential defects in the final product. Key Analysis Features Include: Fluid Flow during Pouring Formation of both Large and Microscale Porosity Stresses that Remain After Solidification Distortions and Shape Changes Development of Fractures at Various Temperatures Fluid Pressures Erosion of the Mold Material Our software stands out for its ability to streamline production, reduce material waste, and eliminate the need for repeated designs, thereby ensuring that the production cycle is optimized from the start. PoligonSoft's analytical capabilities are built upon three fundamental systems: fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and mechanical stresses. These, combined with an array of advanced features, facilitate the simulation of a wide range of casting methods, including specialized techniques.

HydroCAD Stormwater Modelling allows for easy TR-20, TR55, SBUH and Rational hydrology calculations, as well as TC calculations, storage, outlet hydraulics and pump routing, underground storage, pollutant loads, and more. You can import CAD directly, bypass routing, siphons, skimmers and tubes, as well as local rainfall data import. There is also an expanding chamber library. Interactive graphical environments are intuitive and fast, resulting in better results every time.

Simcad Pro allows you to visualize, analyze, and optimize process flow systems within an interactive simulation modeling environment. Optimize, plan, optimize, and reorganize processes and procedures, while optimizing layouts, automation, scheduling, and facility improvement. Simcad Pro integrates historical and live data to offer the best simulation tool on the marketplace. Multiple industries can use these applications, including manufacturing, automation and logistics, distribution warehouse, food & beverage, and services. Multi-Threaded – 64 bit Engine Simulator-on-the-fly - You can make real-time modifications to the model as the simulation is running. You can animated the model in 3D, 2D, and VR using Ray Tracing, light effects, and shadows. Singular model building environment. Smart, Spatially Aware Agents. Sub-Flows. Collision Avoidance. Real-Time Connectivity. Spaghetti Diagrams and Congestion Analysis, Heat Maps Efficiency, OEE. Extensive reporting and analysis tools. Scenario Analyzer.

ClearCalcs cloud structural engineering software allows engineers and designers to simplify repetitive calculations using easy-to-use calculators for beams and columns, foundations, and other important information. ClearCalcs has calculators for all standards including the US, Eurocode, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian. ClearCalcs can help you improve your productivity and design ability. Calculations can be linked together in one click, saving time and errors copy paste loads. Reports print to a simple one-page PDF for easy inspection.

Ingrid Cloud is an online tool which automates the entire process for wind simulations. Our computational model requires virtually no human intervention. It is easy to use and accurate. CFD is easy and affordable with us. This unique technology is based upon research at KTH Royal Institute for Technology over the past 15 years.

Netfabb® software offers robust features for preparing builds, enhancing designs for additive manufacturing, simulating metal printing processes, and organizing CNC post-processing. Users can import models from numerous CAD formats and utilize repair features to swiftly fix any issues. To ensure models are ready for production, adjustments can be made to wall thicknesses, surface roughness, and other characteristics. The software identifies support necessities, allowing users to generate support structures with semi-automated tools. It also facilitates the conversion of organic, free-form mesh files into boundary representation models, which can be exported in formats like STEP, SAT, or IGES for CAD applications. Furthermore, 2D and 3D packing algorithms help arrange parts efficiently within the build volume. Custom reports can be created to encompass essential manufacturing and quoting details, while users can formulate build strategies and set toolpath parameters to optimize surface quality, part density, and processing speed. This comprehensive suite makes it easier for manufacturers to streamline their workflows and improve production efficiency.

MatDeck is a universal technical software that can be used for mathematics, science, engineering, chemistry, programming, databases, and many other purposes. Our software includes a complete Python IDE, thousands of mathematical functions, a drag-and-drop GUI Designer, and many visualization tools. All this is embedded in a cutting-edge, live document that provides a professional computing environment at a low cost.

Engineering calculations play a crucial role in the development of products, serving as a foundation for each phase of the design process. To excel in engineering, it is vital for teams to utilize a robust yet user-friendly application that ensures accurate calculations, facilitates traceability, safeguards intellectual property, and clearly presents their methodology. PTC Mathcad seamlessly combines the convenience of an engineering notebook with the capabilities of live mathematical notation and intelligent unit management. Most notably, the calculation power offered by PTC Mathcad yields results that surpass the accuracy typically achievable through standard spreadsheet applications. With PTC Mathcad's extensive range of mathematical features, documenting essential engineering calculations is as straightforward as penning them down. Users can showcase their work with appealing formatting options, integrating plots, text, and images into a single, professionally styled document. Importantly, engaging with PTC Mathcad does not require any specialized expertise, making it accessible for all users. By leveraging this tool, engineering teams can enhance collaboration and efficiency throughout their design processes.