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FEST-3D

FEST-3D is a free, open-source computational fluid dynamics solver for aerodynamic Navier–Stokes problems on structured grids.

Place
#7 of 89
Score
7.2
FEST-3D's website

What FEST-3D is

FEST-3D is a free, open-source computational fluid dynamics solver for aerodynamic Navier–Stokes problems on structured grids. Written in Fortran 90, it uses finite-volume methods and a modular, multiblock structure. It supports incompressible and compressible flow, including inviscid, laminar, transitional, and turbulent cases. Users can select among flux schemes, spatial reconstruction methods, time-integration options, and turbulence and transition models. MPI distributes calculations across processors on one or more machines.

The solver runs on Linux and macOS. Its installation script supports Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS, and macOS; Linux users can also follow manual installation instructions. Building requires a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake, and Make. Tutorials cover verification cases including ramp and smooth-bump flows, a lid-driven cavity, flat plates, and a transonic airfoil. Grid generation and post-processing are separate tasks: FEST-3D exports VTK or Tecplot files for visualization in tools such as VisIt, ParaView, or Tecplot. The project notes that its halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.

Good

  • Free and open source under GNU GPL version 3.0
  • Supports multiple flow regimes and turbulence models
  • MPI distributes work across processors and machines
  • Tutorials cover several flow verification cases
  • Exports VTK or Tecplot output

Watch out

  • Grid generation must be handled separately
  • Requires a Fortran compiler, MPI, CMake, and Make
  • Halt/stop condition does not work with MPI

Who it suits

FEST-3D suits students and researchers working on aerodynamic flow simulations who can build and run scientific software on Linux or macOS. Its tutorials provide cases for learning and verification.

Verdict

FEST-3D provides a broad set of aerodynamic flow options and verification tutorials at no cost. Users need to arrange grid generation and visualization separately, and should account for the reported MPI halt/stop limitation.

Plans and prices

From FEST-3D's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Free and open sourceFreeGNU General Public License v3.0

The facts

Each one read from FEST-3D's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

3D visuals
Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
Assessment tools
Nochecked 24 Sep 2026
Authoring tools
Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
Data export
Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
Delivery mode
desktopchecked 24 Sep 2026
Dependencies
The documented dependencies include a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake, Make and Python NumPy.checked 5 Oct 2026
Downloads
The solver source is available from GitHub, while tutorials are in a separate repository included as a submodule.checked 5 Oct 2026
Flow models
The documentation lists SA, SST, SST2003 and k-kL turbulence models, plus Gamma LCTM2015 and SA-BC transition models.checked 5 Oct 2026
Flow types
The solver handles incompressible or compressible, and inviscid, laminar, transitional, or turbulent flow problems on structured grids.checked 5 Oct 2026
Grid generation
Grid generation is separate from the solver and must be handled independently; the documentation suggests writing a grid-generation program or using software such as Pointwise for complicated geometries.checked 4 Oct 2026
Grid generation limit
Grid generation is handled separately from the solver; the documentation suggests writing grid-generation code or using Pointwise for complicated geometries.checked 5 Oct 2026
Intended audience
The team describes FEST-3D as an aerodynamic flow solver and provides tutorials for cases including a wedge, smooth bump, lid-driven cavity, flat plates and an airfoil.checked 5 Oct 2026
Intended users
The project describes its team as students from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, and its tutorials are provided for learning and verification.checked 4 Oct 2026
Known issue
The project notes that the halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.checked 5 Oct 2026
Lesson library
Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
Notable limitations
The homepage reports that the halt/stop condition does not work on MPI and turbulent simulations cannot run on Windows Subsystem for Linux because of outdated OS and libraries.checked 4 Oct 2026
Numerical methods
Available options include AUSM-family and SLAU flux schemes, MUSCL, PPM and WENO spatial reconstruction, and explicit and implicit time integration.checked 5 Oct 2026
Numerical schemes
It offers multiple inviscid flux, higher-order face reconstruction, time-integration, turbulence, and transition model options.checked 4 Oct 2026
Offline access
Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
Open source
FEST-3D is available under the GNU General Public License version 3.0.checked 4 Oct 2026
Parallel computing
FEST-3D uses MPI to distribute computation across processors on one or more machines.checked 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
FEST-3D is a Fortran 90 finite-volume solver for Navier–Stokes equations on structured grids, developed for aerodynamic flow problems.checked 5 Oct 2026

The company

Headquarters
Chennai, Indiachecked 19 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Installation platforms
The installation script supports Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS, and macOS; manual installation instructions are provided for Linux platforms.checked 4 Oct 2026

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