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 53.8% of all global simulation software searches, placing SolidWorks first out of nine brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about simulation software, SolidWorks appeared in two of the five answers and was the joint sixth most recommended of the nine.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

SolidWorks is the most searched of 9 competitors and the joint sixth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. SolidWorksShare of searches 53.8%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
  2. AltairShare of searches 16.2%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  3. AnsysShare of searches 13.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  4. COMSOLShare of searches 4%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. 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, SolidWorks was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. SolidWorks 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.

  1. Ansys1st
  2. COMSOL2nd
  3. MATLAB Simulink3rd
  4. AnyLogic4th
  5. Abaqus5th
  6. SolidWorks6th
  7. OpenFOAM6th
  8. SimScale8th
  9. 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

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 SolidWorks?

SolidWorks against simulation software worldwide, by month

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
MonthSolidWorksAltairAnsysCOMSOLOpenFOAMAbaqusSimScaleAnyLogicMATLAB Simulink
Oct 202550.2%18.3%15%3.7%3.7%3%2%2%2%
Nov 202552.1%19%12.8%3.8%3.8%2.6%2.1%1.7%2.1%
Dec 202549.5%22.1%12.1%3.6%3.6%3%2.4%1.6%2%
Jan 202652.4%19.2%12.9%3.9%3.9%2.6%2.1%1.4%1.7%
Feb 202654.9%16.5%13.5%3.3%3.3%2.7%2.2%1.8%1.8%
Mar 202651.6%18.9%12.7%3.8%3.8%2.5%2.5%2.1%2.1%
Apr 202648.8%17.9%14.7%4.4%4.4%2.9%2.9%2%2%
May 202651%18.7%12.5%3.8%3.8%3.1%3.1%2.1%2.1%
Jun 202651.7%19%12.6%3.8%3.8%2.6%3.1%1.7%1.7%
Jul 202651.5%18.9%12.6%3.8%3.8%2.5%3.8%1.4%1.7%
Aug 202651.9%19%12.7%3.8%3.8%2.6%3.1%1.4%1.7%
Sep 202653.8%16.2%13.2%4%4%2.7%2.7%1.8%1.8%

  1. 1.SolidWorks

    53.8%

    Held 1st. 550K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +2 points.

  2. 2.Altair

    16.2%

    Held 2nd. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -2.9 points.

  3. 3.Ansys

    13.2%

    Held 3rd. 135K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.

  4. 4.COMSOL

    4%

    Held 4th. 40.5K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  5. 5.OpenFOAM

    4%

    Held 5th. 40.5K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  6. 6.Abaqus

    2.7%

    Moved from 7th to 6th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, +22.1% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  7. 7.SimScale

    2.7%

    Moved from 6th to 7th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.

  8. 8.AnyLogic

    1.8%

    Moved from 9th to 8th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.

  9. 9.MATLAB Simulink

    1.8%

    Moved from 8th to 9th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, +22.3% 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?

3 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 simulation software worldwide increased from 50.2% to 53.8%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SolidWorks’ share of searches among simulation software worldwide peaked at 54.9% in February 2026 and was lowest at 48.8% in April 2026.

How did search popularity change for simulation software worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, SolidWorks gained share of searches among simulation software worldwide, from 51.9% to 53.8%.

  2. In September 2026, Ansys gained share of searches among simulation software worldwide, from 12.7% to 13.2%.

  3. In September 2026, Altair lost share of searches among simulation software worldwide, from 19% to 16.2%.

  4. In September 2026, Abaqus rose from 7th to 6th among simulation software worldwide.

  5. In September 2026, AnyLogic rose from 9th to 8th among simulation software worldwide.

  6. In September 2026, MATLAB Simulink fell from 8th to 9th among simulation software worldwide.

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%Shown above
Finite element analysis software8th of 81.3%Show ranking
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