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OpenFOAM

Free#20 of 22 in CFD softwareSimulation Software

OpenFOAM: An adaptable CFD package for teams that want source-level control. Ranked #20 of 22 in CFD software by our editors (6.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams comfortable customizing open-source CFD.

6.0/10Editor score

Visit OpenFOAM

OpenFOAM6.0 Visit OpenFOAM

At a glance

Editor score
6.0 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Teams comfortable customizing open-source CFD
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Facts checked
24 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Calculates fluid motion, forces, and heat transfer
- Models thermodynamics and chemistry in fluids and solids
- Source code can be customized for in-house software
Where it doesn't
- Customization and in-house development require technical ownership
- The listed capabilities give limited evidence of broader workflow coverage
- The linked cloud option has no pricing or deployment details here

Our verdict on OpenFOAM

OpenFOAM is a C++ package for computational fluid dynamics, distributed by the OpenFOAM Foundation and developed and maintained by CFD Direct. It is aimed at engineering teams, researchers, and academics working with fluid motion and forces, heat transfer, or thermodynamics and chemistry in fluids and solids. The Foundation describes applications across chemical and process, civil, mechanical, environmental, and aerospace engineering, as well as industry, government research, and academia. Its free, open-source model makes it a candidate for organizations that want to adapt the software rather than rely only on a fixed commercial package.

Source customization is the defining strength. OpenFOAM is distributed under the GNU General Public Licence v3, and its code can be changed and used as a basis for in-house software. That makes it relevant when a team has the CFD and software expertise to tailor calculations or build internal tools around them. The listed capabilities span several physical domains, including heat transfer and fluid/solid thermodynamics and chemistry, but they do not establish the breadth of a complete engineering workflow. Teams seeking extensive built-in workflow coverage should compare alternatives before choosing it.

Deployment can be self-hosted or cloud-based, and the supported platforms include Linux, Windows, and macOS. The Foundation download page links to a cloud option from CFD Direct, but that option's pricing and operating details are not specified here, so buyers should evaluate it separately. Also distinguish Foundation distributions from modified distributions that use the OpenFOAM name. Choose OpenFOAM when source access, no-cost availability, and customization matter more than a turnkey workflow; teams without capacity to maintain or adapt CFD software may be better served by a more guided commercial product.

Your product? Our editors can test OpenFOAM in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

OpenFOAM pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on openfoam.org

OpenFOAM fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Deployment	Not verified
Multiphysics solver	Not verified
Built-in meshing	Not verified
CAD import	Not verified
Parallel cores	Not verified
Operating systems	Not verified
Deployment	Self-hosted, Cloud
Platforms	Linux, Windows, macOS
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	openfoam.org
Facts checked	24 Sep 2026

Alternatives to OpenFOAM

See all OpenFOAM alternatives →

Also Ranked In

OpenFOAM is ranked in 2 of our directories.

#22Simulation Software69 tools ranked

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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used OpenFOAM for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

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Featured on iTechGuides

OpenFOAM is listed in our CFD software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update