MPTRAC
MPTRAC: A focused atmospheric transport model for researchers studying air-parcel trajectories. Ranked #18 of 89 in Physics Simulation Software by our editors (7.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for researchers modeling atmospheric air-parcel trajectories.
At a glance
- Editor score7.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forResearchers modeling atmospheric air-parcel trajectories
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Delivery modeHybrid
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Models trajectories with diffusion, convection, mixing, deposition and chemistry.
- Supports parallel execution across workstations, clusters and GPUs.
- Offers Linux installation and a browser-based Web Runner.
Where it doesn't
- Focused on atmospheric transport, not general-purpose physics simulation.
- Linux source or binary installation may require technical setup.
- Web Runner is intended for teaching and exploratory simulations.
Our verdict on MPTRAC
MPTRAC is an open-source Lagrangian particle-dispersion model for simulating atmospheric transport in the free troposphere and stratosphere. It is aimed at researchers and operational users who need to calculate air-parcel trajectories from meteorological wind and velocity fields, rather than teams looking for a general physics simulator. Its workflows cover turbulent diffusion, subgrid-scale wind perturbations, convection, inter-parcel mixing, sedimentation, wet and dry deposition, and chemical processes.
Its scientific depth is concentrated in atmospheric-data workflows. MPTRAC can preprocess meteorological data for CAPE, boundary-layer height, geopotential height, and tropopause diagnostics. Outputs include trajectories, gridded fields, ensemble statistics, profiles, point samples, and station data. Gnuplot and ParaView interfaces support visualization, including interactive 3D workflows in ParaView. netCDF and HDF5 are among its integrations, while hybrid MPI, OpenMP, and OpenACC execution supports workstations, clusters, and GPUs. This breadth suits studies that need flexible trajectory and ensemble analysis; it is less suitable for general-purpose physical systems outside atmospheric transport.
The GNU General Public License v3.0 plan is open source, with Linux installation from source or binaries and a browser-based Web Runner. The Web Runner allows simulations without local installation and is positioned for teaching, demonstrations, and exploratory studies; Linux deployment is the route for users needing the model's broader computational workflows. Documentation and email are the listed support channels. Choose MPTRAC if atmospheric trajectories and dispersion are central to the work and parallel scientific computing fits the team. Choose another tool if the priority is broad physics simulation or an education platform built around lessons and assessment.
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MPTRAC pricing
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MPTRAC fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Delivery mode | Hybrid |
| Lesson library | No |
| Authoring tools | No |
| Assessment tools | No |
| 3D visuals | Yes |
| Offline access | Yes |
| Data export | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Linux |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: Gnuplot, ParaView, MPI, OpenMP, OpenACC, netCDF … |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | slcs-jsc.github.io |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
MPTRAC integrations
MPTRAC lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- Gnuplot
- ParaView
- MPI
- OpenMP
- OpenACC
- netCDF
- HDF5
Alternatives to MPTRAC
- COMSOL MultiphysicsA broad desktop environment for coupled physics, engineering models, and custom simulation apps.9.4
- Ansys FluentA deep CFD and HPC environment for demanding industrial simulation work.9.3
- SimScaleA broad browser-based multiphysics platform with flexible cloud workflows and tiered access.9.1
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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