OpenFOAM vs SimScale:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, OpenFOAM had more branded searches than SimScale among CFD software worldwide. OpenFOAM had about 40,500 branded searches, while SimScale had 27,100. OpenFOAM made up 30.8% of all CFD software searches we track, and SimScale accounted for 20.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CFD software, both OpenFOAM and SimScale appeared in all five answers. OpenFOAM was mentioned before SimScale in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
OpenFOAM, about 49% more searches than SimScale
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
OpenFOAM, named ahead of SimScale in 4 of 5 answers
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Top CFD software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both OpenFOAM and SimScale showed up in all five answers. OpenFOAM was listed before SimScale in four of them.
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.
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which CFD software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best CFD software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best CFD software for fluid simulation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cfd software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“fluid dynamics software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is OpenFOAM or SimScale more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for OpenFOAM and SimScale 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.
Share of searches by month for OpenFOAM, SimScale. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | COMSOL | OpenFOAM | SimScale | Ansys Fluent | FLOW-3D | STAR-CCM+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 31.7% | 31.7% | 17.4% | 14.2% | 2.8% | 2.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 31.8% | 31.8% | 17.4% | 14.2% | 2.8% | 1.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 31.4% | 31.4% | 21.1% | 11.5% | 2.8% | 1.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.7% | 32.7% | 17.9% | 11.9% | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 30.3% | 30.3% | 20.3% | 13.6% | 3.3% | 2.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 30.6% | 30.6% | 20.5% | 13.7% | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 31.4% | 31.4% | 21% | 11.5% | 2.8% | 1.9% |
| May 2026 | 29.1% | 29.1% | 23.9% | 13% | 3.2% | 1.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 29.1% | 29.1% | 23.9% | 13% | 3.2% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.8% | 27.8% | 27.8% | 12.4% | 2.4% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 30.1% | 30.1% | 24.7% | 11% | 2.6% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 30.8% | 30.8% | 20.6% | 13.8% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
How has the OpenFOAM and SimScale comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- OpenFOAM was ahead of SimScale in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SimScale’s share of searches among CFD software worldwide moved from 17.4% to 20.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 22.2K to 27.1K.
How did search popularity change for CFD software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, OpenFOAM gained share of searches among CFD software worldwide, from 30.1% to 30.8%.
In September 2026, SimScale lost share of searches among CFD software worldwide, from 24.7% to 20.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenFOAM’s and SimScale’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.
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