OpenModelica vs Simulink

Struggling to choose between OpenModelica and Simulink? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

OpenModelica is a Development solution with tags like opensource, modeling, simulation, integrated-environment, industrial-usage, academic-usage.

It boasts features such as Modeling and simulation of complex systems, Acausal modeling with Modelica language, Integrated development environment, Model library with many common component models, Simulation of both continuous and discrete systems, Optimization and symbolic algorithms, Import/export of models and libraries, Modeling, simulation and analysis of electrical power systems, Real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop simulations and pros including Free and open source, Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac), Active development community, Good documentation and tutorials, Flexible licensing for commercial use.

On the other hand, Simulink is a Development product tagged with modeling, simulation, controls, signal-processing, video-processing, image-processing.

Its standout features include Graphical block diagramming tool for modeling and simulating dynamic systems, Extensive libraries of predefined blocks for many engineering domains, Simulation engine supports continuous time, discrete time, and hybrid systems, Supports model-based design for automatic code generation and testing, Integrates with MATLAB for algorithm development, data analysis, and post processing, Supports system-level design, automatic code generation, and continuous test and verification, and it shines with pros like Intuitive graphical interface for building models visually, Large selection of ready-made blocks speeds up modeling, Rapid prototyping and simulation of complex systems, Seamless integration with MATLAB extends capabilities, Code generation automates implementation for faster development, Model-based design enables early system testing and verification.

Feature	OpenModelica	Simulink
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

OpenModelica

Description: OpenModelica is an open-source modeling and simulation environment intended for industrial and academic usage. It provides an integrated graphical modeling, compilation and simulation environment based on open standards.

Simulink

Description: Simulink is a graphical programming environment for modeling, simulating and analyzing multidomain dynamical systems. It provides an interactive graphical environment and customizable set of block libraries for designing, simulating, implementing, and testing a variety of time-varying systems, including communications, controls, signal processing, video processing, and image processing.

Key Features Comparison

OpenModelica Features

• Modeling and simulation of complex systems
• Acausal modeling with Modelica language
• Integrated development environment
• Model library with many common component models
• Simulation of both continuous and discrete systems
• Optimization and symbolic algorithms
• Import/export of models and libraries
• Modeling, simulation and analysis of electrical power systems
• Real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop simulations

Simulink Features

• Graphical block diagramming tool for modeling and simulating dynamic systems
• Extensive libraries of predefined blocks for many engineering domains
• Simulation engine supports continuous time, discrete time, and hybrid systems
• Supports model-based design for automatic code generation and testing
• Integrates with MATLAB for algorithm development, data analysis, and post processing
• Supports system-level design, automatic code generation, and continuous test and verification

Pros & Cons Analysis

OpenModelica

Pros

• Free and open source
• Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac)
• Active development community
• Good documentation and tutorials
• Flexible licensing for commercial use

Cons

• Limited analysis and debugging capabilities compared to commercial tools
• Less extensive model libraries than commercial alternatives
• Lacks some advanced simulation algorithms present in commercial tools

Simulink

Pros

• Intuitive graphical interface for building models visually
• Large selection of ready-made blocks speeds up modeling
• Rapid prototyping and simulation of complex systems
• Seamless integration with MATLAB extends capabilities
• Code generation automates implementation for faster development
• Model-based design enables early system testing and verification

Cons

• Requires MATLAB license for full functionality
• Steep learning curve for advanced modeling and programming
• Limited to MathWorks tools and proprietary formats
• Not suitable for general purpose programming or non-engineering tasks
• Code generation can be restrictive compared to hand-coding

Pricing Comparison

OpenModelica

• Open Source

Simulink

• Subscription-Based