COMSOL Multiphysics
7.7#2 in physics simulation softwareWebAPILinuxmacOS
VisitCOMSOL Multiphysics vs FDTDX
What both publish
| Fact | COMSOL Multiphysics | FDTDX |
|---|---|---|
| 3D visuals | Yes | Yes |
| Authoring tools | Yes | Yes |
| Data export | Yes | Yes |
| Delivery mode | desktop | desktop |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Integrations | Interfacing products include LiveLink for MATLAB, Simulink, and Excel, plus CAD links or import tools for SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, AutoCAD, Revit, Solid Edge, CATIA, and ECAD. | The API includes functions for importing GDS polygons and working with GDS layer stacks and ports. |
| Lesson library | Yes | No |
| Purpose | COMSOL Multiphysics simulates designs, devices, and processes across engineering, manufacturing, and scientific research. | FDTDX is an open-source Python package for simulating and designing three-dimensional photonic nanostructures with the Finite-Difference Time-Domain method. |
| Support | To contact support, users must sign in with a COMSOL Access account; license options include technical support during the term or the first 12 months of a perpetual license. | The FAQ invites users to open GitHub discussions for unanswered questions and issues for suspected bugs, and says the maintainers regularly check discussions. |
COMSOL Multiphysics plans
- Perpetual license (commercial or academic; license type chosen by quotation)Priced on request
- Term license (commercial or academic; license type chosen by quotation)Priced on request
FDTDX plans
- FDTDXFree
Pick COMSOL Multiphysics if…
COMSOL Multiphysics suits engineers, scientists, technical enterprises, research labs, and universities working with simulations. Its modeling and collaboration tools also support teams sharing finished applications with colleagues or clients.
Pick FDTDX if…
FDTDX is suited to researchers and developers working on photonic nanostructure simulation and design, including commercial work. It may also suit users seeking gradient-based optimization with GPU acceleration.