Best Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Software with a Free Trial
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Compare the Top Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Software with a Free Trial as of January 2026
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What is Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Software with a Free Trial?
Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software is used by engineers to analyze and simulate the performance, behavior, and characteristics of designs in a virtual environment. CAE software enables engineers to perform various types of analysis, including structural, thermal, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetics, helping to ensure that products are optimized for functionality, safety, and cost-effectiveness before physical prototypes are created. It includes tools for finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), multibody dynamics (MBD), and optimization studies. CAE software is widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing to improve product designs, reduce material usage, and shorten development cycles. Compare and read user reviews of the best Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software with a Free Trial currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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Azore CFD
Azore CFD
AzoreCFD has been a trusted, cutting-edge software tool since 2007. Azore focuses on analysis, design, engineering, and on obtaining precise, and quick results. Customers use Azore for applications that include: industrial flows, aerodynamics, thermal mixing, conjugate heat transfer, gas species mixing, heating and cooling systems, external flows, and more. Azore can be used to simulate essentially any steady-state or transient fluid flow model, including problems that involve conjugate heat transfer and special transport. With flexible pre/post processing, Azore allows for arbitrary polyhedral mesh topology with several import formats supported. Built-in post-processing capabilities includes: scalar fields, pathlines, animations, residual reports, vector fields, ISO-surfaces, force & movement reports, and export for external post-processing. -
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MATLAB
The MathWorks
MATLAB® combines a desktop environment tuned for iterative analysis and design processes with a programming language that expresses matrix and array mathematics directly. It includes the Live Editor for creating scripts that combine code, output, and formatted text in an executable notebook. MATLAB toolboxes are professionally developed, rigorously tested, and fully documented. MATLAB apps let you see how different algorithms work with your data. Iterate until you’ve got the results you want, then automatically generate a MATLAB program to reproduce or automate your work. Scale your analyses to run on clusters, GPUs, and clouds with only minor code changes. There’s no need to rewrite your code or learn big data programming and out-of-memory techniques. Automatically convert MATLAB algorithms to C/C++, HDL, and CUDA code to run on your embedded processor or FPGA/ASIC. MATLAB works with Simulink to support Model-Based Design. -
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AnyLogic
The AnyLogic Company
AnyLogic is the standard in multimethod modeling technology, delivering increased efficiency and less risk when tackling complex business challenges. The unmatched flexibility found in AnyLogic allows users to capture the complexity of virtually any system, at any level of detail, and gain a deeper insight into the interdependent processes inside and around an organization. AnyLogic has a GSA Contract schedule #47QTCA18D007Q. Government agencies of the USA may purchase through GSA Advantage. -
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Vensim
Ventana Systems
Vensim® is the software of choice for thousands of analysts, consultants, and researchers worldwide for building high-quality simulation models in business, scientific, environmental, and social systems. Vensim integrates into one environment a powerful suite of tools for developing, testing, interpreting, and distributing models. These tools include cause-and-effect diagramming, graphical and textual model construction, easy reproduction of model structure using subscripts (arrays), Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis, optimization, data handling, and application interfaces. Further features enable advanced model resolution and fidelity. Vensim includes patented techniques to aid error detection, error prevention, and rapid comprehension of complex results.Starting Price: $50 per month -
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ExtendSim
Imagine That
ExtendSim consists of a full range of tools for any type of simulation. No matter how you want to use ExtendSim, building models, running models, analysis, etc., there is a package that will fit your needs. There are ExtendSim products for building, experimenting with, and analyzing models, Model Developer Editions, and more specialized packages designed strictly for running models, analyzing models, or for use as a learning tool. Figure out which package might work best for you based on how you intend to use ExtendSim by visiting User Types. Create, use, and interactively run models, build custom interfaces and components, exchange data with and be controlled by other applications. Each Model Developer Edition (MDE) of ExtendSim has the same core set of capabilities. In them you can create and build models and interfaces, change values and settings, run simulations and animations, perform experiments, do analysis and optimization, save and export results. -
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Autodesk Fusion 360
Autodesk
Fusion 360 unifies design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing into a single software platform. Get integrated CAD, CAM, CAE & PCB on a single development platform. Also includes EAGLE Premium, HSMWorks, Team Participant, and access to consumptive services, such as generative design, cloud simulation, and cloud rendering. Engineer products with a comprehensive set of modeling tools. Ensure form, fit, and function of your products with various analysis methods. Create and edit sketches with sketch constraints, dimensions, and a powerful suite of sketch tools. Edit or repair imported geometry from non-native file formats. Make design changes without worrying about time-based features. Create and edit complex parametric surfaces for repairing, patching or designing geometry. Create history-based features, including extrude, revolve, loft, sweep, etc., that update with design changes.Starting Price: $495 per year -
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MapleSim
Waterloo Maple
From digital twins for virtual commissioning to system-level models for complex engineering design projects, MapleSim is an advanced modeling tool that helps you reduce development time, lower costs, and diagnose real-world performance issues. Remove vibrations with better control code, not hardware upgrades. Diagnose root-cause performance issues with detailed simulation results. Validate new design performance before physical prototyping. MapleSim is an advanced system-level modeling and simulation tool that applies modern techniques to dramatically reduce model development time, provide greater insight into system behavior, and produce fast, high-fidelity simulations. Scale and connect as the needs of your simulations grow more complex. Take your designs further with our flexible modeling language. Combine components across different domains in a virtual prototype. Solve tough machine performance problems. -
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Adams
Hexagon
Adams helps engineers to study the dynamics of moving parts, and how loads and forces are distributed throughout mechanical systems. Product manufacturers often struggle to understand true system performance until very late in the design process. Mechanical, electrical, and other subsystems are validated against their specific requirements within the systems engineering process, but full-system testing and validation comes late, leading to rework and design changes that are riskier and more costly than those made early on. As the world's most famous and widely used Multibody Dynamics (MBD) software, Adams improves engineering efficiency and reduces product development costs by enabling early system-level design validation. Engineers can evaluate and manage the complex interactions between disciplines including motion, structures, actuation, and controls to better optimize product designs for performance, safety, and comfort. -
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Moldex3D
Moldex3D
Moldex3D is the world leading CAE product for the plastic injection molding industry. With the best-in-class analysis technology, Moldex3D can help you carry out in-depth simulations of the widest range of injection molding processes and to optimize product designs and manufacturability. In addition, its high compatibility and adaptability have provided users with an instant connection to mainstream CAD systems, generating a flexible simulation-driven design platform. Moldex3D is designed for auto manufacturers and design engineers to simulate and verify complex auto parts/molds based on true 3D technology. With Moldex3D, auto designers or makers are able to manage the life cycle of a product from its conception, through design and manufacturing. This also helps component designers or suppliers to get rid of most potential problems in the early stage. Also, visualization of the entire injection molding processes of auto parts allows users to obtain solutions more efficiently. -
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HyperWorks
Altair Engineering
HyperWorks provides easy-to-learn, effective workflows that leverage domain knowledge and increase team productivity, enabling the efficient development of today’s increasingly complex and connected products. The new HyperWorks experience was created to free engineers to move from physics to physics, domain to domain, and even create reports without ever leaving their model. Create, explore and optimize designs within HyperWorks to produce robust designs that accurately model structures, mechanisms, fluids, electromagnetics, electrical, embedded software, systems design, and manufacturing processes. The solution-specific workflows enhance a growing number of engineering processes including fatigue analysis, concept design optimization, CFD modeling, and design exploration. Each provides a meticulously designed and intuitive user interface, differentiated for each user profile while remaining consistent and easy to learn.
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