MATLAB Simulink vs OpenFOAM:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, OpenFOAM had more branded searches than MATLAB Simulink among simulation software worldwide. OpenFOAM had about 40,500 branded searches, while MATLAB Simulink had 18,100. OpenFOAM made up 4% of all simulation software searches we track, and MATLAB Simulink accounted for 1.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about simulation software, MATLAB Simulink and OpenFOAM each appeared in two of the five answers. MATLAB Simulink was mentioned before OpenFOAM in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
OpenFOAM, about 2 searches for every 1 for MATLAB Simulink
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
MATLAB Simulink, named ahead of OpenFOAM in 2 of 2 answers
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Top simulation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, MATLAB Simulink and OpenFOAM were each mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MATLAB Simulink was listed before OpenFOAM in every answer that named either.
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 MATLAB Simulink or OpenFOAM more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MATLAB Simulink and OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM, MATLAB Simulink. 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 MATLAB Simulink and OpenFOAM comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- OpenFOAM was ahead of MATLAB Simulink in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MATLAB Simulink’s share of searches among simulation software worldwide moved from 2% to 1.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 22.2K to 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenFOAM’s share of searches among simulation software worldwide moved from 3.7% to 4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 40.5K.
How did search popularity change for simulation software worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, MATLAB Simulink fell from 8th to 9th among simulation software worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MATLAB Simulink’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.
MATLAB Simulink
1 branded search term
- matlab simulink
OpenFOAM
1 branded search term
- openfoam
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