Altair vs SimScale:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Altair had more branded searches than SimScale among finite element analysis software worldwide. Altair had about 165,000 branded searches, while SimScale had 27,100. Altair made up 39.6% of all finite element analysis software searches we track, and SimScale accounted for 6.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about finite element analysis software, SimScale appeared in four of the five answers and Altair in two. Altair and SimScale were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Altair, about 6 searches for every 1 for SimScale
Who does AI mention more?
SimScale, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Altair in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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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. Altair was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Altair and SimScale were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
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.
Is Altair or SimScale more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Altair and SimScale by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight finite element analysis software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Altair, SimScale. 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% |
How has the Altair and SimScale comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Altair was ahead of SimScale in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Altair’s share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide moved from 41.5% to 39.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SimScale’s share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide moved from 4.6% to 6.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 22.2K to 27.1K.
How did search popularity change for finite element analysis software worldwide in September 2026?
3 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, 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 branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Altair’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.
Other head-to-heads among finite element analysis software
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