ANSYS Fluent vs OpenFOAM

Struggling to choose between ANSYS Fluent and OpenFOAM? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

ANSYS Fluent is a Science & Engineering solution with tags like cfd, fluid-flow, heat-transfer, turbulence, finite-volume-method.

It boasts features such as Computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer analysis, Broad physics modeling capabilities for gases, liquids, multiphase and solid media flows, Advanced turbulence and transition models, Conjugate heat transfer and multiphysics coupling, Robust meshing and geometry preparation tools, Automation and customization with journal files and user-defined functions and pros including Powerful and accurate simulation capabilities, Wide range of applications across industries, Extensive material property database, Highly customizable workflows, Strong technical support from ANSYS.

On the other hand, OpenFOAM is a Science & Engineering product tagged with cfd, fluid-flow, meshing, solvers, parallel-processing, visualization.

Its standout features include Mesh generation and processing tools, Wide range of physical modeling capabilities including compressible/incompressible fluids, multiphase flows, chemical reactions, turbulence, heat transfer, electromagnetics, solid mechanics, Parallel processing support, Pre- and post-processing utilities for visualization and data analysis, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Large user community, Modular code structure allows customization, Good parallel scaling, Wide range of applications.

Feature	ANSYS Fluent	OpenFOAM
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Science & Engineering	Science & Engineering

Product Overview

ANSYS Fluent

Description: ANSYS Fluent is computational fluid dynamics software used to model flow, turbulence, heat transfer and reactions for industrial applications. It utilizes finite volume method to solve fluid flow problems.

OpenFOAM

Description: OpenFOAM is an open source computational fluid dynamics software package used to simulate fluid flow problems. It includes tools for meshing, solvers, parallel processing, visualization, etc.

Key Features Comparison

ANSYS Fluent Features

• Computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer analysis
• Broad physics modeling capabilities for gases, liquids, multiphase and solid media flows
• Advanced turbulence and transition models
• Conjugate heat transfer and multiphysics coupling
• Robust meshing and geometry preparation tools
• Automation and customization with journal files and user-defined functions

OpenFOAM Features

• Mesh generation and processing tools
• Wide range of physical modeling capabilities including compressible/incompressible fluids, multiphase flows, chemical reactions, turbulence, heat transfer, electromagnetics, solid mechanics
• Parallel processing support
• Pre- and post-processing utilities for visualization and data analysis

Pros & Cons Analysis

ANSYS Fluent

Pros

• Powerful and accurate simulation capabilities
• Wide range of applications across industries
• Extensive material property database
• Highly customizable workflows
• Strong technical support from ANSYS

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Requires high-performance computing resources
• Limited pre- and post-processing capabilities compared to other ANSYS products
• Expensive licensing costs

OpenFOAM

Pros

• Free and open source
• Large user community
• Modular code structure allows customization
• Good parallel scaling
• Wide range of applications

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Limited user-friendly interfaces
• Lacks some features found in commercial CFD packages
• Documentation can be lacking

Pricing Comparison

ANSYS Fluent

• Subscription-Based
• Pay-As-You-Go

OpenFOAM

• Open Source