Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SimScale VS OpenSim

Compare SimScale VS OpenSim and see what are their differences

SimScale logo SimScale

SimScale makes high-fidelity engineering simulation truly accessible. From anywhere. At any scale. In the cloud.

OpenSim logo OpenSim

State-of-the-art. simulation software. advancing research. in rehabilitation science. Performance.
  • SimScale Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-24

SimScale is the world’s first cloud-native SaaS engineering simulation platform, giving engineers and designers immediate access to digital prototyping early in the design stage, throughout the entire R&D cycle, and across the entire enterprise. By providing instant access to a single fluid, thermal, and structural simulation tool built on the latest cloud computing technology, SimScale has moved high-fidelity physics simulation technology from a complex and cost-prohibitive desktop application to a user-friendly web application, accessible to any designer and engineer in the world.

  • OpenSim Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-15

SimScale

$ Details
freemium
Release Date
2012 January
Startup details
Country
Germany
State
Bayern
City
Munich
Founder(s)
Alexander Fischer
Employees
100 - 249

SimScale features and specs

  • Accessibility
    SimScale is a cloud-based platform, which makes it accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, eliminating the need for high-end local computing resources.
  • Collaboration
    The platform allows for easy collaboration between team members, as projects and simulations can be easily shared and worked on jointly.
  • Cost-effective
    By being a cloud-based service, SimScale reduces the need for expensive hardware and software licenses, making it a cost-effective solution for many users.
  • User-friendly Interface
    SimScale offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that can be more approachable for beginners compared to traditional FEA and CFD software.
  • Versatility
    The platform supports a wide range of simulation types, including FEA, CFD, and thermal simulations, providing users with a versatile toolset.
  • Learning Resources
    SimScale provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and webinars that help users learn how to use the platform more effectively, which is beneficial for both new and experienced users.

Possible disadvantages of SimScale

  • Internet Dependency
    Since it is cloud-based, a stable internet connection is required to use SimScale, which may be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Subscription Costs
    While there is a free tier, advanced features require a subscription, which might be costly for some users, especially small businesses or individual professionals.
  • Performance Limitations
    The performance is reliant on cloud computing resources which might be limited based on the user's subscription plan, potentially leading to longer simulation times for complex models.
  • Data Security
    Storing sensitive project data on a cloud service can pose security risks, which might be a significant concern for companies with stringent data protection policies.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are user-friendly, mastering advanced simulation capabilities can still have a steep learning curve, requiring a significant investment of time.
  • Limited Offline Capability
    SimScale's functionality is highly limited when offline, hindering work during internet outages or in remote locations without connectivity.

OpenSim features and specs

  • Open-Source
    OpenSim is open-source software, allowing users to freely download, modify, and distribute it without any licensing fee. This encourages collaboration and innovation within the community.
  • Comprehensive Biomechanical Modeling
    OpenSim offers a detailed platform for biomechanical modeling and simulation, allowing researchers to create and analyze musculoskeletal models to study human and animal movement.
  • Wide Community Support
    The tool is supported by a wide community of users including researchers, educators, and professionals, providing extensive resources, discussions, and shared models.
  • Integration Capabilities
    OpenSim is capable of being integrated with other simulation and analysis tools, enhancing its utility in diverse research and application fields.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and user guides are available, helping new users to start quickly and efficiently with their projects.

Possible disadvantages of OpenSim

  • Complexity
    The software can be complex to use, especially for beginners, as it requires a steep learning curve to understand its full capabilities and effectively use its advanced features.
  • Computationally Intensive
    Running detailed simulations can be computationally demanding, requiring access to high-performance computing resources.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Unlike commercial software with dedicated support services, OpenSim relies largely on community support, which might not always meet the users' immediate needs.
  • Interface Limitations
    The user interface may not be as intuitive or user-friendly as some commercial counterparts, potentially slowing down workflow efficiency.
  • Niche Application
    Primarily focused on musculoskeletal modeling, OpenSim may have limited applications outside its specialized field, restricting its use to niche groups.

Analysis of SimScale

Overall verdict

  • SimScale is generally considered a good option for cloud-based simulation and engineering analysis.

Why this product is good

  • SimScale offers a user-friendly platform for performing complex engineering simulations including CFD, FEA, and thermal simulations. It is accessible via a web browser, eliminating the need for high-performance local hardware. This makes it particularly convenient for small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, its collaborative features and wide range of simulation tools are highly appreciated by users.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized engineering firms
  • Educational institutions for teaching purposes
  • Freelance engineers seeking cost-effective simulation tools
  • Organizations looking for a scalable and collaborative simulation platform

SimScale videos

SimScale Review by DE Magazine

More videos:

  • Review - Nerf Ultra Dart Review and Analysis with SimScale CFD
  • Tutorial - External Aerodynamics Analysis - SimScale Tutorial
  • Review - SimScale Review: Easy to use, browser-based software with excellent customer support
  • Review - SimScale Features and Benefits

OpenSim videos

Introducing OpenSim 3.0

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SimScale and OpenSim)
Technical Computing
82 82%
18% 18
Numerical Computation
85 85%
15% 15
3D
100 100%
0% 0
Data Visualization
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SimScale and OpenSim

SimScale Reviews

Electronic circuit design and simulation software list
SimScaleSimScale is a cloud-based simulation software which you can do everything online. They have a free community plan which you can signup for but all the circuits you make will be publically available. .banner-1-multi-111{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:0px...

OpenSim Reviews

We have no reviews of OpenSim yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenSim should be more popular than SimScale. It has been mentiond 4 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SimScale mentions (1)

  • What are some core competencies I need to brush up on in order to start learning how to conduct CFD analysis?
    After you brush up the theory, you can take it to the next level by trying out some sample tutorials using the existing tools or any of the free tools available. (I personally prefer cloud native tools like SimScale, Onshape(for CAD design) to avoid any specific hardware requirements). Source: almost 2 years ago

OpenSim mentions (4)

  • Is there some kind of CAD program you can design Mujoco MJCF XML files in?
    The most famous and complete free sim for actual natural body parts is https://simtk.org/projects/opensim. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How to use Motion Capture Data on OpenSim - Help!
    Hi, I take it you're meaning opensim which models musculoskeletal structures and creates dynamic simulations of movement rather than opensimulator. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: What problem are you close to solving and how can we help?
    My research specialty is biomechanics. For the arm motion thing, it sounds like you might want inverse kinematics or inverse dynamics. Take a look at OpenSim: https://simtk.org/projects/opensim For the oral appliance adjustment, I'm not sure what your output measures of interest are. If they're mechanical maybe you want to do a sensitivity analysis using FEA. Maybe look at FEBio: https://febio.org/ As for... - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
  • OpenSim issues
    The first link you shared doesn’t take me to the same spot I downloaded the models from. This link: https://simtk.org/projects/opensim should take you to the home site. Click “download latest releases” drop down and select “models and examples”. This is how I got them, should be in a zip file under “modules”. Hope this helps! Also I have struggled with a lot of different issues using Opensim for gait Lab marker... Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SimScale and OpenSim, you can also consider the following products

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

Autodesk Fusion 360 - Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation.

Wolfram Mathematica - Mathematica has characterized the cutting edge in specialized processing—and gave the chief calculation environment to a large number of pioneers, instructors, understudies, and others around the globe.

COMSOL Multiphysics - COMSOL is the developer of COMSOL Multiphysics software, an interactive environment for modeling and simulating scientific and engineering problems.

HyperWorks - Founded in 1985, Altair is focused on the development and application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance.

Scilab - Scilab Official Website. Enter your search in the box aboveAbout ScilabScilab is free and open source software for numerical . Thanks for downloading Scilab!