Basilisk review
A free adaptive-mesh CFD solver for researchers comfortable compiling locally.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Basilisk is free, open-source software for solving partial differential equations on adaptive Cartesian meshes. Its range of flow solvers and specialized modules makes it a fit for researchers who need adaptive-mesh CFD rather than a general-purpose commercial design suite. It runs as desktop software on Linux and macOS, and the source distribution includes examples and tests. Users compile it locally with a C99-compatible compiler, so it suits technical teams able to work with source-based scientific software more than users seeking a packaged graphical workflow.
Its solver breadth is a notable strength: documented capabilities include Navier–Stokes, incompressible and two-phase flows, Saint-Venant and multilayer shallow-water equations, electrohydrodynamics and viscoelasticity. Adaptive quadtree and octree grids support its Cartesian-mesh approach. The Basilisk C preprocessor/compiler, qcc, is included with grid and output modules. Output formats include VTK, ESRI ASCII Grid and PPM, while MPI is available for parallel execution and supercomputer workflows. Serial, OpenMP and GPU execution modes are also documented.
Basilisk is distributed as GPLv3 free software, with documentation and community support channels. There are no paid tiers to compare; the tradeoff is that setup involves compiling locally, and the supported operating systems are Linux and macOS. No integrations are listed, and CAD import is not documented. Researchers seeking flexible adaptive-mesh flow solvers and willing to work in a compile-based environment should consider Basilisk; teams that depend on a Windows application, CAD-import workflow or listed integrations should look elsewhere.
Basilisk pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Covers Navier–Stokes, incompressible and two-phase flow solvers.
- Includes shallow-water, electrohydrodynamics and viscoelasticity modules.
- Supports MPI workflows and outputs including VTK and ESRI ASCII Grid.
- Where it doesn't
- Requires local compilation with a C99-compatible compiler.
- Runs on Linux or macOS, not Windows.
- No listed integrations or documented CAD-import capability.
Basilisk fact sheet, pricing and score →
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