Best Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Software
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Compare the Top Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Software as of January 2026
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What is Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Software?
Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software is used by engineers to analyze and simulate the performance, behavior, and characteristics of designs in a virtual environment. CAE software enables engineers to perform various types of analysis, including structural, thermal, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetics, helping to ensure that products are optimized for functionality, safety, and cost-effectiveness before physical prototypes are created. It includes tools for finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), multibody dynamics (MBD), and optimization studies. CAE software is widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing to improve product designs, reduce material usage, and shorten development cycles. Compare and read user reviews of the best Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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1
Azore CFD
Azore CFD
AzoreCFD has been a trusted, cutting-edge software tool since 2007. Azore focuses on analysis, design, engineering, and on obtaining precise, and quick results. Customers use Azore for applications that include: industrial flows, aerodynamics, thermal mixing, conjugate heat transfer, gas species mixing, heating and cooling systems, external flows, and more. Azore can be used to simulate essentially any steady-state or transient fluid flow model, including problems that involve conjugate heat transfer and special transport. With flexible pre/post processing, Azore allows for arbitrary polyhedral mesh topology with several import formats supported. Built-in post-processing capabilities includes: scalar fields, pathlines, animations, residual reports, vector fields, ISO-surfaces, force & movement reports, and export for external post-processing. -
2
PlantFCE Model Builder
Storm Consulting
Customize models, refine designs, and export with precision. PlantFCE Model Builder offers intuitive 3D modeling for process plants. Model Builder is useful when estimating costs for an engineering project. View real-time updates in the rendering window as you edit the scene. Low lock-in with PlantFCE Model Builder* Model Builder allows you to import and export 3D models from and to industry-standard 3D model formats like GLB, OBJ, and STL. With an automatic clash check, reduce errors and save time.** PlantFCE Model Builder's automatic clash check** reduces time spent on clash check sessions and gives you more time to work on your project. Download for Windows and Mac on the PlantFCE website. *Exporting through Model Builder does not include Model Builder specific functionality like properties set on objects or features specific to Model Builder. **Clash check will be released in version 2.Starting Price: $49/month/user -
3
Welding Sequence Optimizer
MANUFAI
Welding Sequence Optimizer is a plugin for Simufact Welding™, it offers a useful digital toolset of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms that will help you to minimize the inherent welding deformation. WSO includes different algorithms, each of them suitable for a specific stage of the Product Delivery Process (PDP). The idea behind WSO, is a fast configuration (less than 15 minutes) and no human interaction while finding the best sequence. Currently you can change the objective function for a critical region, GD&T or any other Simufact results, like X,Y,Z displacement, Multirobot optimization is also supported. -
4
AGVortex
AGVortex
AGVortex is the CAE program for mathematical modelling of fluid and gas flows around airfoils. Here is implemented innovational solver based upon vorticity dynamics. This approach allows to resolve LES turbulence model on the multi-core processors and clusters that use parallel computing. But it needs much less computing power. Fewer number of equations and unknown functions in flow dynamics gives a gain in calculation process and imposes lower requirements for the computational resources. So, technologically, 3D modelling using LES turbulence model is possible today. An application consists of 3D editor, control panel, modeling area. The planned improvements: new solid types, turbulence models based upon vorticity . The trial version has limitations on the size of the grid, maximum Reynolds number, restrictions in the settings. System requirements: Win x64, vc++ redistributable, openGL drivers.Starting Price: free -
5
Orbital Stack
Orbital Stack
Orbital Stack is an AI and CFD web-based software that provides earlier qualitative guidance, comparing a large number of design options while highlighting any potential wind and thermal comfort red flags. It allows for the realization of a variety of climate-conscious, high-performance developments not previously feasible due to cost and/or time constraints associated with traditional studies. Orbital Stack is the first digital climate-analysis tool built by global leaders in wind and microclimate engineering using real wind tunnel data. It is truly a game-changer for the architecture and building design sector, offering our clients direct access to wind comfort and safety analysis, thermal comfort and shadowing analysis, and cladding pressure simulations. This means architects can run their own wind simulations and quickly understand the climate impacts of their proposed building designs from the start, making decisions that result in higher performing and more resilient projects.Starting Price: $0 -
6
Samadii Multiphysics
Metariver Technology Co.,Ltd
Metariver Technology Co., Ltd. is developing innovative and creative computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis S/W based on the latest HPC technology and S/W technology including CUDA technology. We will change the paradigm of CAE technology by applying particle-based CAE technology and high-speed computation technology using GPUs to CAE analysis software. Here is an introduction to our products. 1. Samadii-DEM (the discrete element method): works with the discrete element method and solid particles. 2. Samadii-SCIV (Statistical Contact In Vacuum): working with high vacuum system gas-flow simulation. Using Monte Carlo simulation. 3. Samadii-EM (Electromagnetics): For full-field interpretation 4. Samadii-Plasma: Plasma simulation for Analysis of ion and electron behavior in an electromagnetic field. 5. Vampire (Virtual Additive Manufacturing System): Specializes in transient heat transfer analysis. additive manufacturing and 3D printing simulation software -
7
Creo Parametric
PTC
Creo Parametric has the core 3D modeling software strengths you’d expect from the industry leader, along with breakthrough capabilities in additive manufacturing, model based definition (MBD) , generative design, augmented reality, and smart connected design. Streamlined workflows and an intuitive user interface complete the picture. PTC’s developers created Creo Parametric as a sound foundation software that allows users the ability to expand deeper functionality with each component. As your products become more complex in its engineering, Creo offers expanded capabilities to meet your requirements. Every product isn’t made equal and your 3D CAD solution shouldn’t be either. Creo Parametric provides the broadest range of powerful yet flexible CAD 3D modeling software capabilities to accelerate the design of parts and assemblies. -
8
PoligonSoft
PoligonSoft
Professional tools for modeling and optimizing metal casting processes with the ability to predict the formation of defects in cast parts. - Filling Dynamics - Macro and Microporosity - Residual Stresses - Deformations and Warping - Cracks (Hot and Cold) - Hydrostatic Pressure - Mold Wear - Slag Formation PoligonSoft provides reliable simulations that prevent waste and costly redesigns, allowing manufacturers to "get it right" the first time. The core of PoligonSoft includes three calculation systems: hydrodynamic, thermal, and stress. Along with a set of additional options, it allows the simulation of all traditional casting technologies and many special processes. At PoligonSoft, all stages of the casting production process can be sequentially simulated: mold heating, mold filling with molten mass, solidification on the bench or in the thermostat, extraction of the cast part from the mold, cutting of the feeding system and risers, etc.Starting Price: $14,137 USD/year -
9
Simcad Pro
CreateASoft, Inc.
Simcad Pro lets you visualize, analyze and optimize process flow systems in an interactive 2D/3D simulation modeling environment. Plan, optimize, and re-arrange processes and procedures while optimizing layouts, facility improvement, automation and scheduling. Simcad Pro integrates live and historical data to provide the most effective simulation tool on the market. Applications in multiple industries including manufacturing, automation, logistics, distribution warehouse, food and beverage, services, and more. Multi-Threaded - 64 bit Engine. On-the-fly simulation - Make real-time changes to the model while the simulation is running. Animate the model in 2D, 3D and VR with Ray Tracing, light effect, and shadows. Singular model building environment. Smart, Spatially Aware Agents, Sub-Flows, Collision Avoidance and Real-Time Connectivity. Spaghetti Diagrams, Congestion Analysis, Heat Maps, Efficiency and OEE. Extensive reporting and analysis tools. Scenario Analyzer.Starting Price: $4950.00/one-time/user -
10
ClearCalcs
ClearCalcs
ClearCalcs is a cloud structural engineering software that enables engineers and designers to streamline their repetitive calculations with easy-to-use calculators for beams, columns, foundations, and more. With calculators available for the US standards, Eurocode, Australian standards, New Zealand standards, and Canadian standards, ClearCalcs is a one-stop shop for improving your productivity and design capability. Calculations can be linked together with one click, saving on time and errors, copy-pasting loads, and reports print to a simple, one-page PDF for easy checking.Starting Price: $79.00 USD / month -
11
E3.series
Zuken
A comprehensive electrical and fluid planning software environment for advanced requirements. E3.series is a true concurrent electrical engineering environment supporting advanced requirements for electrical documentation, cabinet and wire harness design and manufacturing outputs. E3.series facilitates an efficient and accurate design and manufacturing process for electrical and fluid planning, cable planning, and wire harness and cabinet layout. Its object-oriented architecture provides an integrated and consistent design approach to help eliminate errors, improve quality and reduce design time. Consistency of all design phases through object orientation. Powerful automated operations and electrical checks. Comprehensive outputs for manufacturing and documentation. Native format library and design data management. Circuit diagrams, connection lists, layout plans and reports always up-to-date and synchronized.Starting Price: £80/€90/CHF110 per month -
12
Adams
Hexagon
Adams helps engineers to study the dynamics of moving parts, and how loads and forces are distributed throughout mechanical systems. Product manufacturers often struggle to understand true system performance until very late in the design process. Mechanical, electrical, and other subsystems are validated against their specific requirements within the systems engineering process, but full-system testing and validation comes late, leading to rework and design changes that are riskier and more costly than those made early on. As the world's most famous and widely used Multibody Dynamics (MBD) software, Adams improves engineering efficiency and reduces product development costs by enabling early system-level design validation. Engineers can evaluate and manage the complex interactions between disciplines including motion, structures, actuation, and controls to better optimize product designs for performance, safety, and comfort. -
13
AVEVA E3D Design
Aveva
AVEVA E3D Design is the world’s most technologically advanced 3D design solution for the process plant, marine and power industries. It enables powerful visualization, clash-free, multi-discipline 3D design, and rapidly generates accurate drawings and reports to reduce costs, timescales and commercial risks of both greenfield and brownfield capital projects. AVEVA E3D Design offers class-leading productivity and capabilities while retaining seamless compatibility with other AVEVA Engineering and Design solutions including AVEVA Unified Engineering. Available on our secure cloud platform AVEVA™ Connect, deploy quickly in days or weeks instead of months, and compilate data to create your engineering digital twin on the cloud as you work. AVEVA E3D Design can be quickly deployed and configured to suit specific company or project requirements across all industries whether it be for the industrial plant or the marine market. -
14
Altair Inspire
Altair
Applied early in the product development lifecycle, Inspire accelerates the creation, optimization, and study of innovative, structurally efficient parts and assemblies through collaboration. Inspire's award winning user experience for geometry creation and modification can be learned in just a few hours, and delivers dependable Altair solver power. Structural analysis with the speed and accuracy of Altair® SimSolid®, as independently validated by NAFEMS, provides the ability to analyze large assemblies and complex parts. Dynamic motion simulation, including loads extraction, using the reliable multi-body systems analysis of Altair® MotionSolve®. The industry standard for structural efficiency, topology optimization by Altair® OptiStruct®, for the generative design of practical, viable, and manufacturable geometry. Inspire enables both simulation analysts and designers to perform what-if studies faster, easier, and above all earlier, encouraging collaboration. -
15
ReliaSoft
Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK)
ReliaSoft software provides a powerful range of reliability software solutions to facilitate a comprehensive set of reliability engineering modeling and analysis techniques. We are the leading reliability solution provider for product test, design, maintenance strategy and optimization. Our products support a wide range of reliability and maintainability analysis techniques, such as life data analysis, accelerated life testing, system modelling and RAM analysis, reliability growth, FRACAS, FMEA and RCM analysis to meet and improve reliability of your products, processes and optimize maintenance planning. -
16
Collimator
Collimator
Collimator is a modeling and simulation platform for hybrid dynamical systems. We allow engineers to design and test complex, mission critical systems in a way that is reliable, secure, fast and intuitive. Our customers are electrical, mechanical and control systems engineers who are using Collimator to increase productivity, improve performance and collaborate more effectively. They do this using our out of the box features including an intuitive block diagram graphical editor, Python blocks to develop custom algorithms, Jupyter notebooks to parametrize and optimize their systems, high performance computing in the cloud and role based access controls. -
17
VoluMill
VoluMill
VoluMill improves the way that tools cut their way through the material, using high-speed continuous tangent motion rather than sharp, interrupted movements. VoluMill is the fastest, most cost-effective method of bulk-material removal for all non-finishing milling operations. VoluMill is perfect for the airframe, automotive, mold & die, medical, machinery component, and consumer-products markets, for all roughing needs on free-form or prismatic parts. VoluMill's constant material removal rates enable machine tools and cutting tools to operate under ideal milling conditions throughout, regardless of a part's shape or complexity. Using volumill™, you'll never worry about over-engaging cutting tools or work-hardening materials. VoluMill's unique patented technology makes programming simple by automatically controlling material removal rates regardless of geometry or it's complexity. -
18
Moldex3D
Moldex3D
Moldex3D is the world leading CAE product for the plastic injection molding industry. With the best-in-class analysis technology, Moldex3D can help you carry out in-depth simulations of the widest range of injection molding processes and to optimize product designs and manufacturability. In addition, its high compatibility and adaptability have provided users with an instant connection to mainstream CAD systems, generating a flexible simulation-driven design platform. Moldex3D is designed for auto manufacturers and design engineers to simulate and verify complex auto parts/molds based on true 3D technology. With Moldex3D, auto designers or makers are able to manage the life cycle of a product from its conception, through design and manufacturing. This also helps component designers or suppliers to get rid of most potential problems in the early stage. Also, visualization of the entire injection molding processes of auto parts allows users to obtain solutions more efficiently. -
19
CypNest
Friendess
CypNest is a nesting software designed for CypCut/HypCut sheet laser cutting system. It integrates advanced functions of drawing modification, quick nesting, toolpath generation, analysis report and more to meet your production needs. -
20
Luminary Cloud
Luminary Cloud
Luminary Cloud is the world’s first modern computer-aided engineering SaaS platform that provides engineers insights in minutes, allowing for quick simulation, analysis, and iteration that were once impossible. Experience the magic of running simulations in minutes on the most advanced GPUs in the cloud. Securely store, access, and analyze all your raw simulation data to discover insights and optimize engineering designs. Run experiments faster for better product design and quality while reducing the chance of defects. Accelerate time to market by optimizing engineering efficiency and dramatically lower hardware, prototyping, and physical testing costs. Empower your team to create their best designs with faster insights and results, with the most accessible simulation platform. Run fast simulations at any scale, collaborate around the world with project sharing, and start analyzing results instantly.Starting Price: $5 per credit -
21
ENCY
ENCY Software
ENCY is a CAD/CAM for a new generation that combines advanced CAM technology with an intuitive user interface and natural workflow. It supports multi-axis machining, G-code generation, and 2D and 3D CAD modeling, with applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing. Core Features: - Advanced Toolpath Calculation: Customized toolpaths maximize machine capabilities and safety - High-Resolution Simulation: Realistic solid and voxel simulations for material removal, collision checking, additive, and painting processes - Seamless integration with ENCY Tuner and ENCY Clouds Highlights: - Modern interface with a dark theme - Extensive technological capabilities - Powerful Multiaxis Milling, Mill-Turn and Swiss Turning - Additive and Hybrid manufacturing - Machine-Aware Technology: toolpath calculation considering the digital twin of the machine - Direct toolpath editing - State-of-the-art simulation - Postprocessor generator -
22
Simpleware
Synopsys
Unlock the power of Simpleware software to seamlessly process 3D & 4D image data from MRI, CT, and micro-CT. Dive into your data with advanced visualization, detailed analysis, and accurate quantification. Create precise models ready for design, simulation, and 3D printing workflows. The Simpleware W-2024.12 release advances Simpleware software's further adoption of AI-assisted segmentation tools and streamlined design features to accelerate all your 3D image processing and analysis workflows. Our industry-leading 3D image processing and model generation platform allows you to create products and workflows from 3D & 4D image data and integrate seamlessly with design and simulation tools. Intuitive interface with quick-and-easy access to all tools and features. Comprehensive analysis of even the most complex 3D image data. Generate design and simulation-ready models of the highest quality. -
23
SimForDesign
Fidesys
In January 2015, we launched a cloud-based CAE solution in English called SimForDesign (Simulation Streamlined For Design). This solution was created specifically for designers, the end user does not need to have special knowledge in the field of strength engineering analysis to use our cloud service. SimForDesign allows you to carry out a verification calculation in a fast and cost-effective way. Now the service functionality is limited to static analysis of parts and simple assemblies. Currently, we are working on increasing the number of assembly types that can be analyzed in SimForDesign. The cloud service is available from anywhere in the world where you can connect to the Internet, and does not require installation. -
24
CR-8000 Design Force
ZUKEN
Break down the boundaries of your electrical design process with Design Force, a true innovation in system-level IC package and PCB design and analysis. As the process for designing a complete product continues to increase in complexity, it often includes technologies that have become difficult and sometimes impossible for most ECAD tools to manage and address. Design Force provides the ability for design teams to take system-level design information from as early as the conceptual and planning phase and layout each board in the product, simultaneously considering the entire system view. Design Force fully leverages the latest industry hardware and software capabilities, allowing users to design in a native 3D environment, obtaining optimal performance by utilizing native 64-bit, multi-threading, multi-core processors. Design Force supports multiple client-server implementations and includes the ability to work from your corporate cloud. -
25
ETAP Software
ETAP
ETAP® is a full spectrum analytical engineering software company specializing in the analysis, simulation, monitoring, control, optimization, and automation of electrical power systems. ETAP electrical engineering software offers the best and most comprehensive suite of integrated power system enterprise solution. -
26
HEEDS
Siemens
HEEDS is a powerful design space exploration and optimization software package that interfaces with all commercial computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools to drive product innovation. HEEDS accelerates the product development process by automating analysis workflows (Process Automation), maximizing the available computational hardware and software resources (Distributed Execution), and efficiently exploring the design space for innovative solutions (Efficient Search), while assessing the new concepts to ensure performance requirements are met (Insight & Discovery). HEEDS enables automated workflows for the ease of driving product development processes. With an extensive list of developed interfaces to commercial CAD and CAE tools, HEEDS quickly and easily integrates many technologies without the need for custom scripting. The data is automatically shared between different modeling and simulation products to evaluate performance trade-offs. -
27
Simcenter Femap
Siemens Digital Industries
Simcenter Femap is an advanced simulation application for creating, editing, and inspecting finite element models of complex products or systems. You can use advanced workflows in Simcenter Femap to model components, assemblies, or systems, to then determine a model’s behavioral response when subjected to real-world conditions. In addition, Simcenter Femap provides powerful data-driven and graphical results visualization and evaluation, which in combination with the industry-leading Simcenter Nastran, delivers a comprehensive CAE solution that improves product performance. In the quest to make products lighter yet stronger, manufacturers are increasing their use of composite materials. Simcenter is at the leading edge of composites analysis through continuous development of material models and element types. Simcenter speeds the entire process for simulating laminate composite materials through a seamless connection to composites design. -
28
Abaqus
Dassault Systèmes
Today, product simulation is often being performed by engineering groups using niche simulation tools from different vendors to simulate various design attributes. The use of multiple vendor software products creates inefficiencies and increases costs. SIMULIA delivers a scalable suite of unified analysis products that allow all users, regardless of their simulation expertise or domain focus, to collaborate and seamlessly share simulation data and approved methods without loss of information fidelity. The Abaqus Unified FEA product suite offers powerful and complete solutions for both routine and sophisticated engineering problems covering a vast spectrum of industrial applications. In the automotive industry engineering work groups are able to consider full vehicle loads, dynamic vibration, multibody systems, impact/crash, nonlinear static, thermal coupling, and acoustic-structural coupling using a common model data structure and integrated solver technology. -
29
samadii/em
Metariver Technology Co.,Ltd
samadii/em (electromagnetic simulation software) analyzes the electromagnetic field in 3d space using the Maxwell equation and using the FEM method. samadii/em (Electromagnetics Simulation) provides a multi-physics approach and high-performance electromagnetics simulation, with Samadii you can quickly address problems from semiconductors and displays to wireless communications, etc. With samadii/em you can analyze problems in electrostatic fields, transient electromagnetics, AC electromagnetic fields, magnetostatics as well as induction electronics, including the low-frequency and high-frequency ranges. -
30
Simcenter 3D
Siemens
Address complex engineering challenges by enhancing simulation efficiency. Simcenter 3D is one of the most comprehensive, fully-integrated CAE solutions. Simcenter 3D helps you model and evaluate complex product performance through revolutionary improvements in simulation efficiency. By integrating multiple physics domains together from a single simulation modeling environment, you gain better insight into your product’s performance faster. Simcenter 3D is an integrated environment in which you perform all of your CAE pre- and post-processing. Unrivaled geometry manipulation tools help you intuitively defeature and abstract computer-aided design (CAD) geometry from any source. Comprehensive meshing and modeling tools support multiple simulation applications and give you the unique capability to associate your analysis model with design data. This helps you speed up the tedious modeling process and keep analysis models in sync with the latest design.
