FLOW-3D vs OpenFOAM:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, OpenFOAM had more branded searches than FLOW-3D among CFD software worldwide. OpenFOAM had about 40,500 branded searches, while FLOW-3D had 2,900. OpenFOAM made up 30.8% of all CFD software searches we track, and FLOW-3D accounted for 2.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CFD software, OpenFOAM appeared in all five answers and FLOW-3D in four. OpenFOAM was mentioned before FLOW-3D in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
OpenFOAM, about 14 searches for every 1 for FLOW-3D
Who does AI mention more?
OpenFOAM, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
OpenFOAM, named ahead of FLOW-3D in 3 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, OpenFOAM appeared in all five answers. FLOW-3D was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. OpenFOAM was listed before FLOW-3D in three out of five answers.
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 FLOW-3D or OpenFOAM more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for FLOW-3D 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.
Share of searches by month for OpenFOAM, FLOW-3D. 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 FLOW-3D and OpenFOAM comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- OpenFOAM was ahead of FLOW-3D in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, FLOW-3D’s share of searches among CFD software worldwide moved from 2.8% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.6K to 2.9K.
- 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
In September 2026, OpenFOAM gained share of searches among CFD software worldwide, from 30.1% to 30.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for FLOW-3D worldwide fell 19.4% over 12 measured months, from 3.6K to 2.9K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using FLOW-3D’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.
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