Compare the Top Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Software in Europe as of November 2025

What is Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Software in Europe?

Finite element analysis (FEA) software is a computer program used to simulate and analyze the behavior of structures or components under different loading conditions. It allows engineers to create virtual models of their designs and test their performance before physical prototypes are built. FEA software uses complex mathematical algorithms to break down a structure into smaller, more manageable elements, making it possible to accurately predict stress, strain, and deformation in various areas of the model. This type of software is commonly used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction for design optimization and ensuring structural integrity. FEA software is constantly evolving with advanced features being added to improve accuracy and efficiency in the analysis process. Compare and read user reviews of the best Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software in Europe currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    Ansys Mechanical
    Ansys Mechanical is a best-in-class finite element solver with structural, thermal, acoustics, transient and nonlinear capabilities to improve your modeling. Ansys Mechanical enables you to solve complex structural engineering problems and make better, faster design decisions. With the finite element analysis (FEA) solvers available in the suite, you can customize and automate solutions for your structural mechanics problems and parameterize them to analyze multiple design scenarios. Ansys Mechanical is a dynamic tool that has a complete range of analysis tools. Ansys Mechanical offers a dynamic environment with a complete range of analysis tools, from preparing geometry for analysis to connecting additional physics for even greater fidelity. The intuitive and customizable user interface enables engineers of all levels to get answers fast and with confidence. Ansys Mechanical creates an integrated platform that uses finite element analysis (FEA) for structural analysis.
  • 2
    GT STRUDL

    GT STRUDL

    Hexagon PPM

    GT STRUDL® is structural engineering software offering a complete design solution, including 3D CAD modeling and 64-bit high-performance computation solvers into all versions. GT STRUDL includes all the tools necessary to analyze a broad range of structural engineering and finite element analysis problems, including linear and nonlinear static and dynamic analysis, and can do so accurately in a fraction of the time of most other structural design software. Structural design software helps structural engineers create safe and effective designs, while managing the complexity of many different scenarios across a range of industries, including power, civil engineering, marine and infrastructure. Quality software includes many features, such as interoperability, structural analysis, database-driven design and quality assurance - all of which are included in GT STRUDL.
  • 3
    RFEM

    RFEM

    Dlubal Software

    The FEA program RFEM allows for quick and easy modeling, structural and dynamic calculation, as well as the design of models with member, plate, wall, folded plate, shell, and solid elements. Due to the modular software concept, you can connect the main program RFEM with the corresponding add‑ons in order to meet your individual requirements. The structural analysis program RFEM provides structural engineers with a 3D FEA program that meets all requirements in modern civil engineering. Efficient data input and intuitive handling facilitate the modeling of simple and complex structures. The structural analysis program RFEM is the basis of a modular software system. The basic program RFEM is used to define structures, materials, and loads for planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, and members. The program also allows you to create combined structures as well as model solid and contact elements.
    Starting Price: €697.50 rent 1 month
  • 4
    AxisVM

    AxisVM

    InterCAD

    The primary applications of AxisVM are in the design of buildings, and industrial and geotechnical structures. Due to its powerful finite element solver and practical modeling tools, it has also been used in bridge design, and in the design of composite structures, machines, and vehicles. Besides the basic configurations, optional design modules are available for structures made of reinforced concrete, steel, timber, and masonry members and connections. In addition, thanks to the special elements and analysis capabilities, users have successfully applied AxisVM to the design of innovative and custom structures. Reports can be created based on tables, drawings, and detailed design calculations with additional headings and text lines. Reports are auto-updating, i.e. generated based on the most current model data and results.
    Starting Price: $500 one-time payment
  • 5
    SPACE GASS

    SPACE GASS

    SPACE GASS

    SPACE GASS is a multi-purpose 3D analysis and design program for structural engineers. Its extensive range of features make it suitable for anything from beams, trusses and frames to buildings, towers, tanks, cable structures and bridges. Capabilities include a 64-bit multi-core solver, silky smooth 3D rendered graphics, plate finite elements, frame elements, cable elements, tension/compression-only elements, moving loads and links to many CAD and building management programs. Why SPACE GASS Save time, money, and get a safe and efficient design. Silky smooth graphical interface that lets you see your changes visually as you go. A fast sparse matrix solver that fully utilizes the parallel processing power of multi-core computers. A wide range of structural modeling tools, analysis options and design modules. Comprehensive video tutorials to walk you through some of the tricky stuff. Configurable for stand-alone or floating network systems.
    Starting Price: $600 per month
  • 6
    Fatigue Essentials
    Fatigue Essentials is a desktop application used to efficiently conduct structural fatigue analysis. Fatigue Essentials provides a user-friendly tool for conducting stress-life analysis either using classical stress calculations or linked with FEMAP™ and using the finite element generated stresses. The program is structured to guide the user through the analysis by following a tree structure. General analysis options are selected following loads, materials, and spectrum branches. Within each branch are options for analysis variations or input methods. Analysis results are available on-screen to paste into a report and/or as a damage contour plot in FEMAP. Covers most engineering requirements. Classic mode with user input stresses. Professional mode (FEMAP-linked) with the ability to read nodal stresses and push back results in a damage contour plot. Option for either interactive input or file input for stresses and cycles.
    Starting Price: $695 one-time payment
  • 7
    STAAD

    STAAD

    Bentley

    You can design, analyze, and document structural projects, anywhere in the world, with any material using STAAD. It offers you a flexible solution to cover all your structural engineering needs from the foundation up. STAAD is a comprehensive structural finite element analysis and design application that allows users to perform analysis on any structure exposed to static, dynamic, wind, earthquake, thermal, and moving loads. STAAD comes in different variations so you can choose what’s best for you. STAAD is a popular structural analysis application known for analysis, diverse applications of use, interoperability, and time-saving capabilities. STAAD helps structural engineers perform 3D structural analysis and design for both steel and concrete structures. A physical model created in the structural design software can be transformed into an analytical model for structural analysis. Many design code standards are incorporated into STAAD.
    Starting Price: $3,000 per year
  • 8
    Altair S-FRAME
    With S-FRAME, users can model, analyze, and design any structure regardless of its geometric complexity, material type, loading conditions, nonlinear effects, or design code requirements. S-FRAME’s automated framework generators build models quickly and import models with BIM and DXF import links, and users can maximize productivity with integrated concrete and steel design tools for design, optimization, code compliance, and report generation. With S-FRAME, users can quickly define structures using modeling automation to generate regular framework structures, and standard or custom trusses, and use clone tools to replicate all or part of the model. Additionally, users can save modeling time by importing existing BIM and DXF models. S-FRAME’s advanced meshing tools create the finite element mesh, giving users the power to generate detailed analysis results in their specific areas of interest. Users can explore those areas of interest by easily converting members to multi-shell models.
  • 9
    SolidFEA

    SolidFEA

    BIMWERX

    SolidFEA is our innovative solid finite element analysis tool, designed to make advanced structural engineering design both accessible and affordable. Powered by the Calculix engine, it offers detailed sub-model analysis with lower cost and hardware requirements than competitors like Abaqus. Ideal for complex engineering challenges, including steel connections and bridge engineering, SolidFEA democratizes specialty software with ease of use and IFC file format compatibility, complementing our GenFEA software for comprehensive structural analysis. SolidFEA marks a transformative step in structural engineering design, bridging the gap that has long existed due to the prohibitive costs, complex learning curves, and high-end computing requirements associated with solid finite element analysis (FEA). Designed for ease of use, it supports IFC file format imports, making it a seamless addition to engineering workflows.
  • 10
    GenFEA

    GenFEA

    BIMWERX

    GenFEA stands as a testament to our dedication and enthusiasm, born from years of meticulous development and research. This 'passion project' is now set to revolutionize the industry, thanks to its AI-enhanced features that bring state-of-the-art technological advancements to the global market. With GenFEA, we are poised to make a significant impact, offering groundbreaking solutions that are ready to meet the challenges and demands of the international AEC landscape. Structural engineering software has long been characterized by its steep price tags, steep learning curves, and a noticeable lag in integrating modern technological advancements. By leveraging the latest in artificial intelligence, offering an intuitive user experience, and ensuring affordability, GenFEA is dedicated to making advanced structural analysis and design tools accessible, user-friendly, and in step with the cutting-edge technologies that define our era.
  • 11
    SwiftComp

    SwiftComp

    AnalySwift

    SwiftComp is a revolutionary multiscale, multiphysics composite simulation code that quickly and easily delivers the accuracy of 3D FEA at the efficiency of simple engineering models. In doing so, SwiftComp reduces barriers for engineers by enabling them to model composites as easily as metals using conventional structural elements in their FEA codes (without losing accuracy while capturing all the microstructural details). SwiftComp provides unified modeling for 1D (beams), 2D (plates/shells), or 3D structures, calculating all the effective properties. Use SwiftComp either independently for virtual testing of composites or as a plug-in to power your conventional structural tools with high-fidelity composites modeling. SwiftComp can compute the best structural model for use in macroscopic structural analysis, as well as perform dehomogenization to compute the pointwise stresses in the microstructure. SwiftComp directly interfaces with ABAQUS, ANSYS.
  • 12
    Digimat

    Digimat

    e-Xstream engineering

    e-Xstream engineering develops and commercializes the Digimat suite of software, a state-of-the-art multi-scale material modeling technology that speeds up the development process for composite materials and structures. Digimat is a core technology of 10xICME Solution and is used to perform detailed analyses of materials on the microscopic level and to derive micromechanical material models suited for multi-scale coupling of the micro- and macroscopic level. Digimat material models provide the means to combine processing simulation with structural FEA. This means to move towards more predictive simulation by taking into account the influence of processing conditions on the performance of the finally produced part. As an efficient and predictive tool Digimat helps its users to design and manufacture innovative composite materials and parts with great efficiency in time and costs.
  • 13
    FloCAD

    FloCAD

    C&R Technologies

    FloCAD® is a fluid dynamics software add-on module for Thermal Desktop®, together they provide a complete thermohydraulic software tool for fully integrated fluid flow and heat transfer analysis. With FloCAD, the mechanics of building fluid flow models is very similar to that of building thermal models, with many of the commands applicable to both types of models. FloCAD models can be free-form (non-geometric), sketchpad style flow network modeling for abstraction and simplification, or they can be geometry-based by including objects such as pipe centerlines and cross-sections, complexly shaped vessels, or convection to finite difference of finite element representations of thermal structures. As a generalized pipe flow software tool, FloCAD captures the pressure drops in a piping network due to bends, valves, tees, changes in flow area, etc.
  • 14
    MSC Nastran

    MSC Nastran

    MSC Software

    MSC Nastran is a multidisciplinary structural analysis application used by engineers to perform static, dynamic, and thermal analysis across the linear and nonlinear domains, complemented with automated structural optimization and award winning embedded fatigue analysis technologies, all enabled by high performance computing. Engineers use MSC Nastran to ensure structural systems have the necessary strength, stiffness, and life to preclude failure (excess stresses, resonance, buckling, or detrimental deformations) that may compromise structural function and safety. MSC Nastran is also used to improve the economy and passenger comfort of structural designs. Optimize the performance of existing designs or develop unique product differentiators, leading to industry advantages over competitors. Remedy structural issues that may occur during a product’s service, reducing downtime and costs.
  • 15
    Simcenter Nastran
    Simcenter Nastran is a premier finite element method (FEM) solver for computational performance, accuracy, reliability and scalability. Simcenter Nastran includes powerful solutions for linear and nonlinear structural analysis, structural dynamics, acoustics, rotor dynamics, aeroelasticity, thermal analysis, and optimization. The advantage to having all these solutions available in a single solver is that input/output file formats are the same for all solution types, which greatly simplifies modeling processes. Available as a standalone enterprise solver or as an integrated solver in Simcenter 3D, Simcenter Nastran helps manufacturers as well as engineering suppliers in aerospace, automotive, electronics, heavy machinery, medical device, and other industries for their critical engineering computing needs so they can produce safe, reliable and optimized designs within ever shorter design cycles.
  • 16
    SDC Verifier

    SDC Verifier

    SDC Engineering B.V.

    SDC Verifier is an all-in-one software solution for structural design, FEA analysis, and verification according to design codes and standards. SDC Verifier can be used independently or as an extension to Ansys Mechanical, Femap, and Simcenter 3D.
  • 17
    VisualAnalysis

    VisualAnalysis

    Integrated Engineering Software

    Thousands of professionals leverage VisualAnalysis (VA) to meet deadlines. Customers say it is "a great value" and "so easy to learn". You need practical tools; easy on your budget. 3D models of complete buildings, tanks, towers, etc. Static and dynamic response analysis. Design code checks for steel, wood, concrete, cold-formed steel, and aluminum. Complete analysis and design features including automatic plate meshing, command window, nonlinear elements, and dynamic time history analysis. 3D static and dynamic FEA for civil, mechanical, aerospace or any other structural analysis. Optional support of building code load combinations. Easily apply loads. Distribute area loads to members. Gravity and lateral loading in the same project. Create frame, truss, or FEA models of just about any structure. Sketch, generate, and import CAD, or BIM (Revit). Fast static, P-delta, AISC Direct, dynamic, and nonlinear. Proven and validated results.
  • 18
    RIBTEC
    Integrated solutions are essential in times of tight schedules and scarce resources. Therefore, RIBTEC offers various synergies in calculation, design and construction. You benefit from a time-saving data flow in the sense of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the overall process of structural design. RIB's software solutions for structural engineers range from structural, building and ground engineering as well as finite element calculations to tunnel and bridge construction and the drawing of formwork and reinforcement plans. RIB has been developing pioneering solutions for structural design and FEM since 1961. The RIBTEC programs are successfully used by over 5,000 engineering offices, inspection engineers, construction companies and planning departments in the public and industrial sectors. With more than 100 structural analysis programs, RIBTEC comprehensively covers the practice of structural design.
  • 19
    SOLIDWORKS Simulation
    Subject your designs to real world conditions to raise product quality while reducing prototyping and physical testing costs. SOLIDWORKS® Simulation is an easy-to-use portfolio of structural analysis tools that use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to predict a product’s real-world physical behavior by virtually testing CAD models. The portfolio provides linear, non-linear static and dynamic analysis capabilities. SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional enables you to optimize your design, determine product mechanical resistance, product durability, topology, natural frequencies, and test heat transfer and buckling instabilities. It can also perform sequential multi-physics simulations. SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium lets you efficiently evaluate your designs for nonlinear and dynamic response, dynamic loading, and composite materials. SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium includes three advanced studies: Non-Linear Static, Non-Linear Dynamic, and Linear Dynamics.
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