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Compare OpenFOAM and SolidWorks Flow Simulation

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At a Glance
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM
Star Rating
(35)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (63.6% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about OpenFOAM
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
Star Rating
(35)4.1 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (48.5% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about SolidWorks Flow Simulation
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • Users report that OpenFOAM excels in fluid analysis with a score of 8.8, providing robust capabilities for complex simulations, while SolidWorks Flow Simulation, with a score of 8.1, is noted for its user-friendly interface but may lack some advanced features that OpenFOAM offers.
  • Reviewers mention that OpenFOAM's documentation is highly regarded, scoring 8.7, which helps users navigate its extensive functionalities, whereas SolidWorks Flow Simulation, despite having good documentation, scores slightly lower at 8.3, indicating room for improvement in clarity and comprehensiveness.
  • G2 users highlight that SolidWorks Flow Simulation shines in ease of use with a score of 8.3, making it more accessible for beginners, while OpenFOAM's score of 6.7 suggests a steeper learning curve, which may be challenging for new users.
  • Users on G2 report that OpenFOAM's integration capabilities score 8.5, allowing for seamless collaboration with other software tools, while SolidWorks Flow Simulation, with a score of 8.5 as well, is praised for its integration with SolidWorks CAD, making it a preferred choice for users already within that ecosystem.
  • Reviewers mention that OpenFOAM's support quality is rated at 6.1, indicating potential challenges in obtaining timely assistance, whereas SolidWorks Flow Simulation scores significantly higher at 8.3, reflecting a more responsive support system that users appreciate.
  • Users say that OpenFOAM's performance in mechanical event simulation is rated at 7.1, which may not meet the expectations of users looking for high-fidelity simulations, while SolidWorks Flow Simulation scores 8.3, indicating a more reliable performance in this area, particularly for mechanical applications.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
OpenFOAM
No pricing available
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
No pricing available
Free Trial
OpenFOAM
No trial information available
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
8.0
26
8.6
30
Ease of Use
6.7
26
8.3
30
Ease of Setup
Not enough data
Not enough data
Ease of Admin
Not enough data
Not enough data
Quality of Support
6.1
21
8.3
30
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Not enough data
Not enough data
Product Direction (% positive)
6.1
24
7.1
28
Features by Category
Not enough data
8.9
11
Design
Not enough data
9.2
10
Not enough data
8.7
9
Not enough data
8.7
10
Not enough data
9.0
8
Not enough data
8.8
7
Work
Not enough data
8.5
9
Not enough data
8.9
9
Not enough data
8.8
10
Not enough data
9.2
10
6.9
16
8.2
9
Design
6.2
11
8.8
8
6.1
11
8.3
8
6.8
11
7.7
8
7.1
12
7.7
8
Tools
8.8
13
8.1
8
6.5
8
7.7
8
6.3
8
8.1
8
Work
6.7
8
8.3
8
6.9
9
8.5
8
7.1
8
8.3
8
6.4
7
7.7
8
6.9
9
8.5
8
Environment
7.1
8
8.1
8
6.8
10
8.3
8
7.4
7
9.0
8
7.2
12
8.8
8
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
OpenFOAM and SolidWorks Flow Simulation are categorized as Simulation & CAE
Unique Categories
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM has no unique categories
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SolidWorks Flow Simulation is categorized as MEP
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
63.6%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
18.2%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
18.2%
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
48.5%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
27.3%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
24.2%
Reviewers' Industry
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
30.3%
Automotive
18.2%
Research
12.1%
Higher Education
9.1%
Oil & Energy
6.1%
Other
24.2%
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
Information Technology and Services
21.2%
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
12.1%
Design
12.1%
Higher Education
9.1%
Automotive
9.1%
Other
36.4%
Most Helpful Reviews
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Verified User
G
Verified User in Research

OpenFOAM is open-source and free. It works for both Linux and Windows OS. The codes in Openfoam are written in C++ and the entire OpenFOAM can be automated using python. The visualizer Paraview that comes with OpenFOAM is handy for visualization. The...

Most Helpful Critical Review
moinuddeen s.
MS
moinuddeen s.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services

OpenFOAM doesnt have a UI like Ansys or other competitors have, and its doesnt have a very intuitive documentation, so for a person new to fluid dynamics, its difficult to understand various settings/options available and would require understanding of many...

SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Verified User
G
Verified User in Design

The contraints are pretty easy to apply as compared to software like Ansys.

Most Helpful Critical Review
Verified User in Oil & Energy
GO
Verified User in Oil & Energy

Not the most accurate, hard to adjust fluid properties

Alternatives
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM Alternatives
MATLAB
MATLAB
Add MATLAB
SimScale
SimScale
Add SimScale
Ansys Fluent
Ansys Fluent
Add Ansys Fluent
COMSOL Multiphysics®
COMSOL Multiphysics®
Add COMSOL Multiphysics®
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SolidWorks Flow Simulation Alternatives
Ansys Fluent
Ansys Fluent
Add Ansys Fluent
COMSOL Multiphysics®
COMSOL Multiphysics®
Add COMSOL Multiphysics®
MATLAB
MATLAB
Add MATLAB
Autodesk CFD
Autodesk CFD
Add Autodesk CFD
Discussions
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM Discussions
What do you use as mesher? Are there free ones that are good for complex geometries?
1 comment
Chris H.
CH
I used snappyHexMesh to mesh a complicated geometry and it did well. Many like cfMesh too. If snappyHexMesh is used, can use blockMesh to generate background...Read more
Is OpenFOAM free?
1 comment
OP
Yes! It's open sourceRead more
Monty the Mongoose crying
OpenFOAM has no more discussions with answers
SolidWorks Flow Simulation
SolidWorks Flow Simulation Discussions
Monty the Mongoose crying
SolidWorks Flow Simulation has no discussions with answers