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Head-to-head · CAE Software

Autodesk Moldflow vs AVL FIRE M

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Autodesk Moldflow #4 in CAE Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Moldflow
AVL FIRE M #9 in CAE Software 7.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Contact AVL

Autodesk Moldflow leads on 0 checks, AVL FIRE M on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAutodesk Moldflow · 8.5/10
  • Free trialonly Autodesk Moldflow

Autodesk Moldflow scores higher on our rubric for cae software: 8.5 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #9.

Autodesk Moldflow is the better fit for plastic-parts teams analyzing molding processes. AVL FIRE M is the better fit for teams modeling combustion and complex flows.

  • Autodesk Moldflow fits best

    Plastic-parts teams analyzing molding processes

  • AVL FIRE M fits best

    Teams modeling combustion and complex flows

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Autodesk Moldflow 8.5/10 Visit ↗ AVL FIRE M 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.6
Ranking #4 in CAE Software #9 in CAE Software
Best for Plastic-parts teams analyzing molding processes Teams modeling combustion and complex flows
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request · 30-day trial Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud Cloud
Platforms Windows, Linux Web
Support Docs · 24/7 Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Autodesk Moldflow 4/4 · AVL FIRE M 4/4
Built-in meshing ✓ ✓
HPC support ✓ ✓
Design optimization ✓ ✓
CAD import ✓ ✓
Specs
Analysis types Injection molding; compression molding; material flow; mold cooling; warpage; fiber orientation; birefringence; crystallinity Fluid flow, heat transfer, combustion, multiphase flow, reactive processes, species transport, electrochemistry, electromagnetics
Deployment Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Simulates injection and compression molding, including filling, packing, and cooling
  • Automated meshing and native CAD import support simulation workflows
  • Insight offers local, remote, and cloud solving plus optimization tools
  • Covers flow, heat transfer, combustion, multiphase and reactive processes
  • Combines CAD tools, automated meshing and interactive grid modeling
  • Supports MPI, GPUs, optimization and cloud HPC access through SIMcloud
Cons
  • Its focus is molding rather than broad, general-purpose CAE
  • Subscriptions require contacting Autodesk sales
  • There is no free plan; access is through a 30-day trial or paid subscription
  • Pricing requires contacting AVL, making costs harder to assess upfront
  • Cloud access is available through SIMcloud; deployment options may need clarification
  • Its CFD scope may be broader than needed for teams seeking a narrow solver
Our verdict

Autodesk Moldflow simulates plastic injection and compression molding for engineers, analysts, and mold designers assessing manufacturability and molded-part quality. Its analysis covers material flow, mold cooling, warpage, and process…

Read the review →

AVL FIRE M is 3D computational fluid dynamics software for engineers modeling flow-driven systems in automotive powertrains, energy, aerospace and marine. Its modeling scope includes fluid flow, heat transfer, combustion, multiphase flow…

Read the review →
  1. Autodesk MoldflowCAE Software 8.5Pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. AVL FIRE MCAE Software 7.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Autodesk Moldflow — where it wins

    • Simulates injection and compression molding, including filling, packing, and cooling
    • Automated meshing and native CAD import support simulation workflows
    • Insight offers local, remote, and cloud solving plus optimization tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Its focus is molding rather than broad, general-purpose CAE
    • Subscriptions require contacting Autodesk sales
    • There is no free plan; access is through a 30-day trial or paid subscription
  • AVL FIRE M — where it wins

    • Covers flow, heat transfer, combustion, multiphase and reactive processes
    • Combines CAD tools, automated meshing and interactive grid modeling
    • Supports MPI, GPUs, optimization and cloud HPC access through SIMcloud

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting AVL, making costs harder to assess upfront
    • Cloud access is available through SIMcloud; deployment options may need clarification
    • Its CFD scope may be broader than needed for teams seeking a narrow solver
  • Autodesk Moldflow8.5/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A focused simulation suite for assessing plastic molding processes and part quality.

    Visit MoldflowFull verdict →
  • AVL FIRE M7.6/10 · Pricing on request

    Combustion-focused CFD with meshing, HPC and optimization for engineering teams.

    Contact AVLFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update