Best ChemDraw Alternatives in 2026
The top ChemDraw alternatives are AVEVA PRO/II Simulation, BIOVIA COSMOtherm (COSMO-RS) and IUCLID: 14 chemical software our editors would look at instead of ChemDraw, in our ranking order.
ChemDraw: A structure-and-reaction workspace with desktop and cloud tools for chemistry workflows. Where it falls short: no free plan; the trial is limited to 15 days..
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Best forProcess engineers modeling steady-state plants
A detailed process simulator for engineers modeling steady-state plant operations.
- Regulatory compliance
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit AVEVA -
Best forResearchers predicting mixture thermodynamics
A specialized COSMO-RS tool for predicting molecular properties in pure and mixed liquids.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit BIOVIA -
Best forTeams preparing chemical-substance regulatory dossiers
Free dossier software for chemical-substance data and regulatory preparation.
- Regulatory compliance
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit IUCLID -
Best forLabs standardizing experimental records
A configurable lab notebook for teams that need traceable, searchable experiment records.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit BIOVIA -
Best forBuyers assessing an established chemical product
Established chemical information software for organizations managing compliance workflows.
7.1/10★★★★☆Contact UL Solutions -
Best forGas-processing and acid-gas simulation teams
A focused Windows simulator for gas treating, plant models, and process optimization.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit ProMax -
Best forTeams wanting free, flexible process simulation
A flexible process simulator for teams that want desktop modeling without a license fee.
- Mobile access
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit DWSIM -
Best forLabs needing affordable chemical inventory
Affordable chemical inventory management with structure search, SDS files, and regulatory tools.
- Chemical inventory
- Mobile access
- SDS management
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit ChemInventory -
Best forBudget-conscious Windows process simulators
A free Windows simulator for steady-state flowsheets, thermodynamics, unit operations and reaction numerics.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit AmsterCHEM -
Best forSmall teams managing SDSs on mobile
A mobile-ready SDS and chemical compliance hub with a broad feature set.
- Chemical inventory
- Mobile access
- SDS management
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit SDS Manager -
Best forOrganizations managing SDS and chemical compliance
ExESS brings SDS, labeling, hazard classification, and inventory workflows together.
- Chemical inventory
- SDS management
- Regulatory compliance
6.3/10★★★☆☆Request a demo -
Best forTeams creating multilingual SDS and formulations
Windows software for multilingual SDS, formulation, classification and labeling workflows.
- Formulation management
- SDS management
- Regulatory compliance
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit ChemGes -
Best forLabs processing analytical chemistry data
A specialized portfolio for analytical chemistry data processing and interpretation.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit ACD/Labs -
Best forEnterprises tracking hazardous chemical stock
Enterprise chemical tracking with SDS, compliance, risk and mobile inventory tools.
- Chemical inventory
- Mobile access
- SDS management
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit ChemAlert
ChemDraw Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to ChemDraw?
AVEVA PRO/II Simulation: #1 in our Chemical Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.0 out of 10. A detailed process simulator for engineers modeling steady-state plant operations.
Is there a free alternative to ChemDraw?
Yes. IUCLID, DWSIM, ChemInventory, COCO Simulator and SDS Manager have a free plan or a free tier.
ChemDraw vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | SDS management | Chemical inventory | Formulation management | Regulatory compliance | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | ChemDraw | No | — | No | No | No | No | 6.5 |
| 1 | AVEVA PRO/II Simulation | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 9.0 |
| 2 | BIOVIA COSMOtherm (COSMO-RS) | No | — | No | No | No | No | 8.2 |
| 3 | IUCLID | Yes | None | — | — | — | Yes | 7.7 |
| 4 | BIOVIA Workbook | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7.4 |
| 5 | UL WERCS Studio | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7.1 |
| 6 | ProMax | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6.9 |
| 7 | DWSIM | Yes | None | No | No | No | No | 6.9 |
| 8 | ChemInventory | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 6.7 |
| 9 | COCO Simulator | Yes | None | No | No | No | No | 6.6 |
| 10 | SDS Manager | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | 6.6 |
| 12 | ExESS | No | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | 6.3 |
| 13 | ChemGes | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | 6.2 |
| 14 | ACD/Labs | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6.1 |
| 15 | ChemAlert | No | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | 6.0 |
Guides on Chemical Software
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update