Nastran vs SolidWorks:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Nastran had more branded searches than SolidWorks among finite element analysis software worldwide. Nastran had about 6,600 branded searches, while SolidWorks had 5,400. Nastran made up 1.6% of all finite element analysis software searches we track, and SolidWorks accounted for 1.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about finite element analysis software, SolidWorks appeared in four of the five answers and Nastran in three. Nastran was mentioned before SolidWorks in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Nastran, about 22% more searches than SolidWorks
Who does AI mention more?
SolidWorks, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Nastran in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Nastran, named ahead of SolidWorks in 3 of 5 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, SolidWorks was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Nastran was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Nastran was listed before SolidWorks 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.
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 Nastran or SolidWorks more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Nastran and SolidWorks 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 Nastran, SolidWorks. 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 Nastran and SolidWorks comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Nastran was ahead of SolidWorks in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nastran’s share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide moved from 1.7% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 6.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SolidWorks’ share of searches among finite element analysis software worldwide moved from 1.4% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 5.4K.
How did search popularity change for finite element analysis software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for Nastran worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 6.6K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for SolidWorks worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 5.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Nastran’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.
Nastran
1 branded search term
- nastran
SolidWorks
1 branded search term
- solidworks simulation
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