Altair vs SolidWorks:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, SolidWorks had more branded searches than Altair among simulation software worldwide. SolidWorks had about 550,000 branded searches, while Altair had 165,000. SolidWorks made up 53.8% of all simulation software searches we track, and Altair accounted for 16.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about simulation software, SolidWorks appeared in two of the five answers and Altair in none.
Who do people search for more?
SolidWorks, about 3 searches for every 1 for Altair
Who does AI mention more?
SolidWorks, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Altair in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
SolidWorks, the only one of the two named
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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. Altair did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Ansys1st
COMSOL2nd- MATLAB Simulink3rd
- AnyLogic4th
Abaqus5th- SolidWorks6th
OpenFOAM6th
SimScale8th
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which simulation software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best simulation software tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best simulation software for product design?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“simulation software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“finite element software”
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.
Is Altair or SolidWorks more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Altair and SolidWorks by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine simulation software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for SolidWorks, Altair. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | SolidWorks | Altair | Ansys | COMSOL | OpenFOAM | Abaqus | SimScale | AnyLogic | MATLAB Simulink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.2% | 18.3% | 15% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.1% | 19% | 12.8% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 2.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.5% | 22.1% | 12.1% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 2% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.4% | 19.2% | 12.9% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 54.9% | 16.5% | 13.5% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.6% | 18.9% | 12.7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.8% | 17.9% | 14.7% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2% | 2% |
| May 2026 | 51% | 18.7% | 12.5% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.7% | 19% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.5% | 18.9% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.8% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.9% | 19% | 12.7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 53.8% | 16.2% | 13.2% | 4% | 4% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.8% |
How has the Altair and SolidWorks comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- SolidWorks was ahead of Altair in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Altair’s share of searches among simulation software worldwide moved from 18.3% to 16.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SolidWorks’ share of searches among simulation software worldwide moved from 50.2% to 53.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 550K.
How did search popularity change for simulation software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, SolidWorks gained share of searches among simulation software worldwide, from 51.9% to 53.8%.
In September 2026, Altair lost share of searches among simulation software worldwide, from 19% to 16.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Altair’s and SolidWorks’ 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.
Altair
1 branded search term
- altair
SolidWorks
1 branded search term
- solidworks
Other head-to-heads among simulation software
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