CoppeliaSim Edu vs Gazebo

CoppeliaSim Edu6.9Visit Gazebo6.6Visit

Higher score CoppeliaSim Edu #6 in Robotic Simulation Software 6.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit CoppeliaSim

vs

Gazebo #8 in Robotic Simulation Software 6.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Gazebo

• CoppeliaSim Edu fits best

  Robotics simulation with broad physics and planning

• Gazebo fits best

  General-purpose robot simulation with ROS 2

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Side by side

Feature	CoppeliaSim Edu 6.9/10 Visit ↗	Gazebo 6.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	6.9	6.6
Ranking	#6 in Robotic Simulation Software	#8 in Robotic Simulation Software
Best for	Robotics simulation with broad physics and planning	General-purpose robot simulation with ROS 2
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Linux, macOS, Windows
Support	Email, Community	Community, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	1 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CoppeliaSim Edu 2/5 · Gazebo 2/5
ROS support	✓	✓
Sensor simulation	✓	✓
CAD import	—	Not published
Hardware-in-the-loop	Not published	Not published
USD support	Not published	Not published
Specs
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Five physics engines cover MuJoCo, Bullet, ODE, Vortex, and Newton ROS, ROS 2, and OMPL interfaces support planning and robotics workflows Kinematics, sensors, collision checks, and robot-scene import are included	Simulates robot physics, 3D worlds and configurable environments. Models cameras, lidar and other sensors in simulation. Combines ROS 2 integration with SDF descriptions and an extensible plugin architecture.
Cons	License bars commercial use and use by companies or non-school entities Desktop deployment only on Windows, macOS, and Linux No CAD import capability is provided	Runs locally as desktop software rather than as a hosted service. ROS 2 is the listed integration, so other integrations are not part of its stated fit. Support is through community channels and documentation.
Our verdict	CoppeliaSim Edu is a desktop robotics simulator with an integrated development environment for students, teachers, and professors at schools and universities. It supports robot and factory-automation simulations, algorithm prototyping,… Read the review →	Gazebo is an open-source robotics simulator for developing, testing and validating robot systems in virtual worlds. It is aimed at robotics developers, researchers and educators who want to prototype behaviors or evaluate systems before… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• CoppeliaSim Edu — where it wins

  • Five physics engines cover MuJoCo, Bullet, ODE, Vortex, and Newton
  • ROS, ROS 2, and OMPL interfaces support planning and robotics workflows
  • Kinematics, sensors, collision checks, and robot-scene import are included

  Where it doesn't

  • License bars commercial use and use by companies or non-school entities
  • Desktop deployment only on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • No CAD import capability is provided

• Gazebo — where it wins

  • Simulates robot physics, 3D worlds and configurable environments.
  • Models cameras, lidar and other sensors in simulation.
  • Combines ROS 2 integration with SDF descriptions and an extensible plugin architecture.

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs locally as desktop software rather than as a hosted service.
  • ROS 2 is the listed integration, so other integrations are not part of its stated fit.
  • Support is through community channels and documentation.

• CoppeliaSim Edu6.9/10 · Free plan

  Broad, free desktop simulator for academic robotics work with strict noncommercial licensing.

  Visit CoppeliaSimFull verdict →
• Gazebo6.6/10 · Free plan

  A free, desktop simulator for physics-based robotics workflows with ROS 2.

  Visit GazeboFull verdict →