How popular isSimScale?
In September 2026, people searched for SimScale by name about 27,100 times worldwide, a 22.1% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 6.5% of all global finite element analysis software searches, placing SimScale fifth out of eight brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about finite element analysis software, SimScale appeared in four of the five answers and was the sixth most recommended of the eight.
SimScale is the fifth most searched of 8 competitors and the sixth most recommended in AI answers.
AltairShare of searches 39.6%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
AnsysShare of searches 32.4%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
COMSOLShare of searches 9.7%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
AbaqusShare of searches 6.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
SimScaleShare of searches 6.5%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
Follow SimScale and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top finite element analysis software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SimScale was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. SimScale is the sixth most recommended of the eight.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
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
- Abaqus5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- COMSOL4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- SimScale4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
SolidWorks4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- CalculiX3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Nastran3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Altair2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about finite element analysis software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which finite element analysis software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best finite element analysis software tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best finite element analysis software for structural simulation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“finite element analysis software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“engineering simulation software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Which finite element analysis software compete with SimScale?
Share of searches by month for Altair, Ansys, COMSOL, Abaqus, SimScale, CalculiX. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Altair | Ansys | COMSOL | Abaqus | SimScale | CalculiX | Nastran | SolidWorks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41.5% | 34% | 8.4% | 6.8% | 4.6% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 45% | 30.2% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 5% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.9% | 26.8% | 8.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 45.1% | 30.3% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 41.1% | 33.7% | 8.3% | 6.8% | 5.5% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.5% | 29.9% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 39.8% | 32.6% | 9.8% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| May 2026 | 43.1% | 28.8% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.7% | 29.1% | 8.8% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.3% | 28.9% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 8.7% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 44.1% | 29.4% | 8.9% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.6% | 32.4% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 39.6% | 165K | 0% | -4.5 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 32.4% | 135K | +22.7% | +3 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 9.7% | 40.5K | +22.4% | +0.9 points | |
| 4, moved from 5th to 4th | 6.5% | 27.1K | +22.1% | +0.6 pointsmoved from 5th to 4th | |
| 5, moved from 4th to 5th | 6.5% | 27.1K | 0% | -0.7 pointsmoved from 4th to 5th | |
| 6, held 6th | 2.4% | 9.9K | +50% | +0.6 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 1.6% | 6.6K | +22.2% | +0.1 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 1.3% | 5.4K | +22.7% | +0.1 points |
1.
Altair39.6%
Held 1st. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -4.5 points.
2.
Ansys32.4%
Held 2nd. 135K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +3 points.
3.
COMSOL9.7%
Held 3rd. 40.5K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.
4.
Abaqus6.5%
Moved from 5th to 4th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, +22.1% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
5.
SimScale6.5%
Moved from 4th to 5th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.
6.CalculiX
2.4%
Held 6th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, +50% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
7.
Nastran1.6%
Held 7th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
1.3%
Held 8th. 5.4K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
Compare popularity between SimScale and its closest rivals
Every comparison with SimScale
13 comparisons
How has branded search demand for SimScale changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for SimScale worldwide rose from 22.2K to 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SimScale’s share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide increased from 4.6% to 6.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SimScale’s share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide peaked at 8.7% in July 2026 and was lowest at 4.6% in October 2025.
How did search popularity change for finite element analysis software worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Abaqus overtook SimScale to rank 4th among finite element analysis software worldwide, with 6.5% of the searches.
In September 2026, Ansys gained share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 29.4% to 32.4%.
In September 2026, COMSOL gained share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 8.9% to 9.7%.
In September 2026, CalculiX gained share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 1.8% to 2.4%.
In September 2026, Altair lost share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 44.1% to 39.6%.
In September 2026, SimScale lost share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 7.2% to 6.5%.
How are SimScale’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using SimScale’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.
- simscale
Do you work for SimScale? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does SimScale compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simulation software | 7th of 9 | 2.7% | Show ranking |
| Finite element analysis software | 5th of 8 | 6.5% | Shown above |
| CFD software | 3rd of 6 | 20.6% | Show ranking |
Is SimScale 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.