Four Free Simulation Software With A Free Trial

Using to reproduce the fundamental factors and challenges that a product or system may face, simulation software facilitates the testing phase before developing a prototype. Discover the Capterra ranking of 4 free simulation software with a free trial in this article. Mainly used by engineers, project managers, and developers, simulation software allows them to test the products and systems they are designing virtually. 

By relying on the functionalities of these solutions, they can discover the behavior and operation of the designed elements before proceeding to manufacture a prototype and its deployment. Through these tools, users can carry out dynamic simulations thanks to a 2D or 3D visualization of their project. It is during these operations that they can identify process failures as well as areas for improvement. Manufacturers use it to anticipate their needs and optimize their costs and expenses.

To help you choose among existing solutions, Capterra has produced a selection of 4 simulation software offering a free version or a free trial. To appear in this ranking, software must meet the definition of this category of tools. Among the selection criteria used for this ranking are the main functionalities of direct manipulation, mathematical modeling, and issuing reports and analyses. Discover the solutions in our selection below, classified here in alphabetical order:

1. AnyLogic
2. FlexSim
3. SimScale
4. Simul8

AnyLogic

1. Overall rating: 4.5/5
2. Ease of use: 4/5
3. Customer service: 4.3/5
4. Features: 4.5/5
5. Value for money: 4.2/5

AnyLogic is intended for designers and engineers who draw up various scenarios through their simulations and define potential risks. This free simulation software is aimed at different sectors, including handling, production, health, or airport or rail logistics, and can be deployed on a Windows, Mac and Linux environment.

To facilitate the evaluation of the behavior of a future system or product, AnyLogic offers the combination of three simulation models: the multi-agent model, system dynamics and discrete event simulation. The first model allows analysis of the behaviors and interactions of the entities involved (people, products, etc.). 

At the same time, the second gives the possibility of a more global representation of the concept tested. Finally, discrete event simulation helps to model actions over time, such as the simulation of a customer queue to define the number of counters necessary before designing a new store. The simulation results can be displayed as a 2D or 3D graph for an interpretation as close as possible to natural conditions.

1. Some features of the free trial version: The accessible version of AnyLogic gives access to multi-method modeling functions, 3D animation, simulations and parameter variations for 30 days.
2. Some features of the paid version: The paid version of AnyLogic provides simulation and optimization tools, a model debugging function, and even the import of CAD files without limitation.

FlexSim

1. Overall rating: 4.6/5
2. Ease of use: 4.1/5
3. Customer service: 4.6/5
4. Features: 4.6/5
5. Value for money: 4.4/5

FlexSim is a Windows-deployable simulation software that allows businesses to create computer-based modeling scenarios or simulations of business processes and systems. Although this tool is initially intended for users in the manufacturing industry, other sectors can use this software to optimize different operations: modeling the different units of a hospital emergency department or even simulating a packaging line. 

Products are among the examples of use of this tool. FlexSim has several tools to facilitate model design. Point-and-click and drag-and-drop functionality supports the creation process, while a 3D graphical results display provides insight into the effects of any changes. Objects from the FlexSim library are also accessible to help users build their models. 

1. Some features of the free version: FlexSim Express gives access to a library of customizable objects, graphical presentations, and pre-established activity blocks, with a creation limitation of 30 objects. 
2. Some features of the paid version: The paid version of FlexSim includes several functions such as 3D imaging agent-oriented modelling and multiple scenario testing without limitation.

SimScale

1. Overall rating: 4.5/5
2. Ease of use: 4.2/5
3. Customer service: 4.6/5
4. Features: 4.2/5
5. Value for money: 4.5/5

A computer-aided engineering tool, SimScale allows you to develop product or system characteristics and create project prototypes. By relying on this software, users can know the behavior of their creations in certain situations. SimScale offers 3D visualization or even scalable calculation functionalities that can adapt to different industries’ needs, for example, testing air circulation around a building, potential stresses and deformations of materials, or designing architectural plan models.

Based on the cloud and usable on Windows, Mac and Linux environments, this solution allows different team members to access completed projects and run several simultaneous simulations. Updates are also displayed in real-time to provide insight into changes to a project as it develops.

1. Some features of the free version: The free SimScale version includes up to 10 simulations, a limited number of analyses, and a calculation instance with 16-core processors.
2. Some features of the paid version: The SimScale Basic paid version includes up to 100 simulations, allows API integrations, and offers a calculation instance with 64-core processors.

Simul8

1. Overall rating: 4.6/5
2. Ease of use: 4.3/5
3. Customer service: 4.9/5
4. Features: 4.5/5
5. Value for money: 4.6/5

Simul8 is a cloud-based software operating on a Windows environment, designed for modeling, simulation, analysis and streamlining the performance of production systems. This software, which uses dynamic discrete simulation, the agent model and the continuous model as models, provides its simulation language called Visual Logic. 

Building Simul8 models is done by selecting these icons from the toolbar and arranging them on the screen using a drag-and-drop system without requiring prior knowledge of a programming language. Taking charge of logistics, production, planning and even team management tasks, it can be deployed in several sectors of activity, such as health, handling or engineering.

1. Some features of the free trial: Simul8 offers a free trial limited to five days and one user. This has the same functions as the paid version, namely the option to share models between several collaborators, 2D visualization or even the creation of interactive simulations.
2. Some features of the paid version: The Simul8 Solo paid version allows users to display their data on a graph, carry out several models (mathematical, continuous, dynamic, etc.), or even edit scenarios.

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