Brandwave

COMSOL vs OpenFOAM:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, COMSOL and OpenFOAM were level in searches among CFD software worldwide, with an estimated 40.5K branded searches each, at 30.8% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CFD software, both COMSOL and OpenFOAM appeared in all five answers. OpenFOAM was mentioned before COMSOL in three out of five answers.

Among CFD software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

COMSOL and OpenFOAM are searched for about as often as each other.

COMSOL 40.5K searchesOpenFOAM 40.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

COMSOL in 5 of 5OpenFOAM in 5 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

OpenFOAM, named ahead of COMSOL in 3 of 5 answers

OpenFOAM first in 3COMSOL first in 2

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Top CFD software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both COMSOL and OpenFOAM showed up in all five answers. OpenFOAM was listed before COMSOL in three of them.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. STAR-CCM+1st
  2. Ansys Fluent2nd
  3. COMSOL3rd
  4. OpenFOAM4th
  5. SimScale5th
  6. FLOW-3D6th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • COMSOL5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • OpenFOAM5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SimScale5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Ansys Fluent5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • STAR-CCM+5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • FLOW-3D4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about CFD software

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is COMSOL or OpenFOAM more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for COMSOL and OpenFOAM by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six CFD software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

COMSOL and OpenFOAM among CFD software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for COMSOL, OpenFOAM. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCOMSOLOpenFOAMSimScaleAnsys FluentFLOW-3DSTAR-CCM+
Oct 202531.7%31.7%17.4%14.2%2.8%2.3%
Nov 202531.8%31.8%17.4%14.2%2.8%1.9%
Dec 202531.4%31.4%21.1%11.5%2.8%1.8%
Jan 202632.7%32.7%17.9%11.9%2.9%1.9%
Feb 202630.3%30.3%20.3%13.6%3.3%2.2%
Mar 202630.6%30.6%20.5%13.7%2.7%1.8%
Apr 202631.4%31.4%21%11.5%2.8%1.9%
May 202629.1%29.1%23.9%13%3.2%1.7%
Jun 202629.1%29.1%23.9%13%3.2%1.7%
Jul 202627.8%27.8%27.8%12.4%2.4%1.6%
Aug 202630.1%30.1%24.7%11%2.6%1.5%
Sep 202630.8%30.8%20.6%13.8%2.2%1.8%

How has the COMSOL and OpenFOAM comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • COMSOL was ahead of OpenFOAM in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, COMSOL’s share of searches among CFD software worldwide moved from 31.7% to 30.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 40.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenFOAM’s share of searches among CFD software worldwide moved from 31.7% to 30.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 40.5K.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, COMSOL gained share of searches among CFD software worldwide, from 30.1% to 30.8%.

  2. In September 2026, OpenFOAM gained share of searches among CFD software worldwide, from 30.1% to 30.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

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

COMSOL

1 branded search term

  • comsol

OpenFOAM

1 branded search term

  • openfoam

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among CFD software

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