TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Save this comparison

Save this comparison

Add Product

Recommended Comparisons

    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    FreeCAD

    Score8 out of 10
    N/AFreeCAD is an open-source CAD software that specialized in 3D design. New features are added to FreeCAD by an active community of developers.N/A

    SIMUL8

    Score8.2 out of 10
    N/ASIMUL8 headquartered in Glasgow offers their simulation software for product design and validation, and testing.

    $395

    per month

    Pricing
    FreeCADSIMUL8
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Subscription
    $395.00
    per month
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    FreeCADSIMUL8
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Features
    FreeCADSIMUL8
    Computer-Aided Design Software
    Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of FreeCAD and SIMUL8
    Feature
    FreeCAD
    7.4
    1 Ratings
    1% below category average
    SIMUL8
    -
    Ratings
    3D Modeling7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    2D Drafting6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Rendering and Visualization5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Parametric Design7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Collaboration and Sharing5.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Compatibility with other software and formats9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Assembly Design7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Simulation and Analysis10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Documentation and Annotation8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Customization and Extensions10.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    FreeCADSIMUL8
    Small Businesses
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Medium-sized Companies
    Onshape
    Score6.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Enterprises
    PTC Creo
    Score7.6 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    FreeCADSIMUL8
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.0
    (2 ratings)
    8.2
    (1 ratings)
    Usability
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    FreeCADSIMUL8
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Open Source
    I see FreeCad as the perfect solution for a startup with limited resources that want to save as much as possible and doesn't mind using non-standard 3D CAD software, i.e., it's not required by customers to use specific software for compatibility. It's perfect for hobbyist use and makers who don't care about brands and pay monthly fees. I see it as very well suited for small businesses that need FEA (finite element analysis) and can't/don't want to pay huge amounts of money for it, just like us. I see FreeCad as less appropriate for big corporations or well-established businesses that need standardized solutions, compatibility with clients or good version management. Don't get me wrong, it can get the job done, but it will be much slower than state-of-the-art CAD systems.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SIMUL8
    Based on my experience using SIMUL8, it is suited for mostly discrete event simulation models in many areas. However for specific material handling simulation, there are some specific solutions.
    Read full review
    Pros
    Open Source
    • Importing CAD formats
    • Converting mesh formats to solid and surface objects geometry
    • Fixing errors in geometry cad
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SIMUL8
    • Easy to build Simulation Models
    • Fast to run
    • Easy to analyse simulation results
    Read full review
    Cons
    Open Source
    • Overall, the UI feels very old and non-polished.
    • There are some quirky behaviors, like being unable to select a plane by having the cursor over it; it has to be over the edges of the plane.
    • It's overwhelming having those many modules and options for doing things that appear to be similar.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SIMUL8
    • 3-D graphics
    • Visual logic Editor
    Read full review
    Usability
    Open Source
    Usability is awkward. Perhaps if you learn it as your first CAD, it will feel OK. Still, it comes from commercial CAD products like mine (Onshape, Solid Works, Inventor, Solid Edge). You will feel it is less intuitive, with a less polished UI, difficult to customize and, this is a subjective one, less serious. I'd love to see it improve the usability and UI. I believe the engine behind it is powerful, but how you interact with the software is still lacking.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SIMUL8
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    Open Source
    Freecad is used often when receiving files from multiple sources and the need to work with cad in various forms from meshes to solid cad. Often when receiving scans of 3d objects the format is easy to work with and convert to traditional cad later on. There is no other cad that can bridge the gap between all the cad formats that we found yet.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SIMUL8
    SIMUL8 stacks well against other tool in the following: Features Easy to build Simulation Models due to Object Orientation Paradigm Fast to run Models due to Three Phase Method Simulation Engine Easy to Analyse Simulation Results, due to many features such as: Trial Calculator, Scenario Manager
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Open Source
    • It has allowed us to do some cad work that no other systems has allowed us to do and is key to getting that done fast
    • It has lots of online support through forums and blogs for trouble shooting
    • It could have an updated interface to make the functionality more user friendly for first time users
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    SIMUL8
    • Normally bring ROI in Simulation Projects (tipically 1-2%) of overall investiment
    Read full review
    ScreenShots