How popular isOpenFOAM?
In September 2026, people searched for OpenFOAM by name about 40,500 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 4% of all global simulation software searches, placing OpenFOAM fifth out of nine brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about simulation software, OpenFOAM appeared in two of the five answers and was the joint sixth most recommended of the nine.
OpenFOAM is the fifth most searched of 9 competitors and the joint sixth most recommended in AI answers.
SolidWorksShare of searches 53.8%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
AltairShare of searches 16.2%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
AnsysShare of searches 13.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
COMSOLShare of searches 4%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
OpenFOAMShare of searches 4%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
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Top simulation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, OpenFOAM was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. OpenFOAM is the joint sixth most recommended of the nine.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Ansys1st
- COMSOL2nd
- MATLAB Simulink3rd
- AnyLogic4th
Abaqus5th- SolidWorks6th
- OpenFOAM6th
SimScale8th- Altair–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Ansys5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- COMSOL3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- SimScale3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- AnyLogic3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- SolidWorks2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- OpenFOAM2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Abaqus2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- MATLAB Simulink2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Altair0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about simulation software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which simulation software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best simulation software tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best simulation software for product design?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“simulation software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“finite element software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Which simulation software compete with OpenFOAM?
Share of searches by month for SolidWorks, Altair, Ansys, COMSOL, OpenFOAM, Abaqus, SimScale. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | SolidWorks | Altair | Ansys | COMSOL | OpenFOAM | Abaqus | SimScale | AnyLogic | MATLAB Simulink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.2% | 18.3% | 15% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.1% | 19% | 12.8% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 2.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.5% | 22.1% | 12.1% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 2% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.4% | 19.2% | 12.9% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 54.9% | 16.5% | 13.5% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.6% | 18.9% | 12.7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.8% | 17.9% | 14.7% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2% | 2% |
| May 2026 | 51% | 18.7% | 12.5% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.7% | 19% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.5% | 18.9% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.8% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.9% | 19% | 12.7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 53.8% | 16.2% | 13.2% | 4% | 4% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 53.8% | 550K | +22.2% | +2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 16.2% | 165K | 0% | -2.9 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.2% | 135K | +22.7% | +0.5 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 4% | 40.5K | +22.4% | +0.1 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 4% | 40.5K | +22.4% | +0.1 points | |
| 6, moved from 7th to 6th | 2.7% | 27.1K | +22.1% | +0.1 pointsmoved from 7th to 6th | |
| 7, moved from 6th to 7th | 2.7% | 27.1K | 0% | -0.5 pointsmoved from 6th to 7th | |
| 8, moved from 9th to 8th | 1.8% | 18.1K | +49.6% | +0.4 pointsmoved from 9th to 8th | |
| 9, moved from 8th to 9th | 1.8% | 18.1K | +22.3% | +0.1 pointsmoved from 8th to 9th |
53.8%
Held 1st. 550K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +2 points.
2.
Altair16.2%
Held 2nd. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -2.9 points.
3.
Ansys13.2%
Held 3rd. 135K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.
4.
COMSOL4%
Held 4th. 40.5K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
5.
OpenFOAM4%
Held 5th. 40.5K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
6.
Abaqus2.7%
Moved from 7th to 6th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, +22.1% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
7.
SimScale2.7%
Moved from 6th to 7th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.
8.AnyLogic
1.8%
Moved from 9th to 8th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
1.8%
Moved from 8th to 9th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
Compare popularity between OpenFOAM and its closest rivals
Every comparison with OpenFOAM
11 comparisons
How has branded search demand for OpenFOAM changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for OpenFOAM worldwide held steady at 40.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenFOAM’s share of searches among simulation software worldwide peaked at 4.4% in April 2026 and was lowest at 3.3% in February 2026.
How did search popularity change for simulation software worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, SolidWorks gained share of searches among simulation software worldwide, from 51.9% to 53.8%.
In September 2026, Ansys gained share of searches among simulation software worldwide, from 12.7% to 13.2%.
In September 2026, Altair lost share of searches among simulation software worldwide, from 19% to 16.2%.
In September 2026, Abaqus rose from 7th to 6th among simulation software worldwide.
In September 2026, AnyLogic rose from 9th to 8th among simulation software worldwide.
In September 2026, MATLAB Simulink fell from 8th to 9th among simulation software worldwide.
How are OpenFOAM’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenFOAM’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- openfoam
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Where does OpenFOAM compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simulation software | 5th of 9 | 4% | Shown above |
| CFD software | 2nd of 6 | 30.8% | Show ranking |
Is OpenFOAM your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.