Engineering Simulation

OpenFOAM

Free and open source software for computational fluid dynamics distributed by The OpenFOAM Foundation.

Overview

OpenFOAM is a C++ based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software licensed under GPL v3, used globally in industry, research, and academia for fluid motion, heat transfer, and chemical processes simulations.

Updated Oct 21, 2026

6 things

What OpenFOAM has

Apps

Windows
macOS
Linux

For developers

Source code is publicly available for anyone to inspect, modify, or self-host.

Support

Real people you can contact when you need help with the tool.
Expert services that help organizations plan, implement, or improve their work processes.

3 features

Key Features

Fluid simulation
It calculates fluid motion and forces, heat transfer, thermodynamics and chemistry in fluids and solids — as an alternative to experiments and with greater detail and accuracy than approximate calculation methods.
Customisation and automation
OpenFOAM enables faster innovation through the freedom to customise the source code, automate calculations and collaborate with partners.
Ubuntu installation
It is packaged for Ubuntu Linux for simple installation.

Pros and cons

Pros

OpenFOAM is free and open source, eliminating licensing costs associated with proprietary CFD software.
Highly customizable due to full access to source code, enabling tailored CFD solutions.
Supports a wide range of engineering disciplines and complex multiphysics simulations.
Maintained by a dedicated core team ensuring software robustness, usability, and extensibility.
Cross-platform availability with native Linux support and compatibility on Windows and macOS via Linux virtualization.

Cons

Steep learning curve due to complexity and command-line interface.
Primarily designed for Linux environments, requiring additional setup on Windows and macOS.
No direct public funding; relies on sponsorships which may impact development pace.
Lacks a native graphical user interface, which may hinder usability for some users.
Documentation and community support may require technical expertise to navigate effectively.

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Featured Video

See OpenFOAM at work before you try it.

Watch on YouTube

0 questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Community reviews

Write a review

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Community reviews

Write a review

No written reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.

6 things

What OpenFOAM has

Apps

Windows
macOS
Linux

For developers

Source code is publicly available for anyone to inspect, modify, or self-host.

Support

Real people you can contact when you need help with the tool.
Expert services that help organizations plan, implement, or improve their work processes.

3 features

Key Features

Fluid simulation
It calculates fluid motion and forces, heat transfer, thermodynamics and chemistry in fluids and solids — as an alternative to experiments and with greater detail and accuracy than approximate calculation methods.
Customisation and automation
OpenFOAM enables faster innovation through the freedom to customise the source code, automate calculations and collaborate with partners.
Ubuntu installation
It is packaged for Ubuntu Linux for simple installation.

Pros and cons

Pros

OpenFOAM is free and open source, eliminating licensing costs associated with proprietary CFD software.
Highly customizable due to full access to source code, enabling tailored CFD solutions.
Supports a wide range of engineering disciplines and complex multiphysics simulations.
Maintained by a dedicated core team ensuring software robustness, usability, and extensibility.
Cross-platform availability with native Linux support and compatibility on Windows and macOS via Linux virtualization.

Cons

Steep learning curve due to complexity and command-line interface.
Primarily designed for Linux environments, requiring additional setup on Windows and macOS.
No direct public funding; relies on sponsorships which may impact development pace.
Lacks a native graphical user interface, which may hinder usability for some users.
Documentation and community support may require technical expertise to navigate effectively.

You?

Be the first to rate OpenFOAM

Your review helps others make better decisions. No account needed. Takes about 10 seconds.

Featured Video

See OpenFOAM at work before you try it.

Watch on YouTube

0 questions

OpenFOAM

Overview

What OpenFOAM has

Apps

For developers

Support

Key Features

Fluid simulation

Customisation and automation

Ubuntu installation

Pros and cons

Pros

Cons

Be the first to rate OpenFOAM

Featured Video

Frequently Asked Questions

What OpenFOAM has

Apps

For developers

Support

Key Features

Fluid simulation

Customisation and automation

Ubuntu installation

Pros and cons

Pros

Cons

Be the first to rate OpenFOAM

Featured Video

Frequently Asked Questions