Brandwave

How popular isSolidWorks?

In September 2026, people searched for SolidWorks by name about 555,000 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 1.3% of all global finite element analysis software searches, placing SolidWorks eighth out of eight brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about finite element analysis software, SolidWorks appeared in four of the five answers and was the fourth most recommended of the eight.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

SolidWorks is the eighth most searched of 8 competitors and the fourth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. AltairShare of searches 39.6%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
  2. AnsysShare of searches 32.4%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. COMSOLShare of searches 9.7%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  4. AbaqusShare of searches 6.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. SolidWorksShare of searches 1.3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th

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Top finite element analysis software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SolidWorks was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. SolidWorks is the fourth most recommended of the eight.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Ansys1st
  2. Abaqus2nd
  3. COMSOL3rd
  4. SolidWorks4th
  5. Nastran5th
  6. SimScale6th
  7. Altair7th
  8. CalculiX8th

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

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 SolidWorks?

SolidWorks against finite element analysis software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Altair, Ansys, COMSOL, Abaqus, SimScale, CalculiX, SolidWorks. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAltairAnsysCOMSOLAbaqusSimScaleCalculiXNastranSolidWorks
Oct 202541.5%34%8.4%6.8%4.6%1.7%1.7%1.4%
Nov 202545%30.2%9.1%6.1%5%1.8%1.5%1.5%
Dec 202548.9%26.8%8.1%6.6%5.4%1.6%1.3%1.3%
Jan 202645.1%30.3%9.1%6.1%5%1.5%1.5%1.5%
Feb 202641.1%33.7%8.3%6.8%5.5%1.6%1.6%1.3%
Mar 202644.5%29.9%9%6%6%1.8%1.5%1.5%
Apr 202639.8%32.6%9.8%6.5%6.5%1.6%1.6%1.6%
May 202643.1%28.8%8.7%7.1%7.1%2.1%1.7%1.4%
Jun 202643.7%29.1%8.8%5.9%7.2%2.1%1.7%1.4%
Jul 202643.3%28.9%8.7%5.8%8.7%1.7%1.4%1.4%
Aug 202644.1%29.4%8.9%5.9%7.2%1.8%1.4%1.2%
Sep 202639.6%32.4%9.7%6.5%6.5%2.4%1.6%1.3%

  1. 1.Altair

    39.6%

    Held 1st. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -4.5 points.

  2. 2.Ansys

    32.4%

    Held 2nd. 135K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +3 points.

  3. 3.COMSOL

    9.7%

    Held 3rd. 40.5K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.

  4. 4.Abaqus

    6.5%

    Moved from 5th to 4th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, +22.1% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.

  5. 5.SimScale

    6.5%

    Moved from 4th to 5th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.

  6. 6.CalculiX

    2.4%

    Held 6th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, +50% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.

  7. 7.Nastran

    1.6%

    Held 7th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  8. 8.SolidWorks

    1.3%

    Held 8th. 5.4K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

Compare popularity between SolidWorks and its closest rivals

Every comparison with SolidWorks

23 comparisons

How has branded search demand for SolidWorks changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for SolidWorks worldwide held steady, from 557K to 555K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SolidWorks’ share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide held steady, from 1.4% to 1.3%.

How did search popularity change for finite element analysis software worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Abaqus overtook SimScale to rank 4th among finite element analysis software worldwide, with 6.5% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Ansys gained share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 29.4% to 32.4%.

  3. In September 2026, COMSOL gained share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 8.9% to 9.7%.

  4. In September 2026, CalculiX gained share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 1.8% to 2.4%.

  5. In September 2026, Altair lost share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 44.1% to 39.6%.

  6. In September 2026, SimScale lost share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide, from 7.2% to 6.5%.

How are SolidWorks’ branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using SolidWorks’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • solidworks
  • solidworks simulation

Do you work for SolidWorks? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does SolidWorks compete?

SolidWorks is ranked in four competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
CAD and 3D design software5th of 114%Show ranking
CAD software4th of 104.5%Show ranking
Simulation software1st of 953.8%Show ranking
Finite element analysis software8th of 81.3%Shown above
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