Capsim Business Simulations vs FlexSim
Capsim Business Simulations
capsim.comFlexSim
flexsim.comSide by side
| Figure | Capsim Business Simulations | FlexSim |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Business Simulation Software | 7.6 (#13) | 7.8 (#10) |
| Company history | Capsim says it has built simulations and assessments for forty years and has served two million learners across fifty countries. | FlexSim says it began in 1993 and that Autodesk acquired FlexSim Software Products in November 2023. |
| Founded | 1985 | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Aurora, Illinois, United States | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Support | Capsim offers phone and email support, says email replies usually arrive within one business day, and provides in-simulation help. | Technical support is included for customers with active maintenance or subscription, and the support page aims for a first response within two working days. |
Plans
In their own words
Capsim Business Simulations
Capsim Business Simulations gives learners a company to operate through linked decisions in marketing, finance, operations, and R&D. Each simulation round represents a year: participants choose actions, receive market responses and results, and carry decisions into later rounds. CapsimCore, CapsimGlobal, CapsimOps, and Capstone target different course levels and subjects. Courses can run solo or in teams, online, in person, or in hybrid formats, scaling from seminars to more than 1,000 learners. Instructors can change market conditions and difficulty, select practice or competition modes, and add case modules. Scoring includes star ratings and weighted Success Measures; CapsimCore and Capstone also provide a Balanced Scorecard. Browser delivery requires no installation and integrates with Canvas, Blackboard, and other major learning systems through single sign-on and gradebook sync. Comp-XM and CapsimInbox-XM provide individual assessments. Pricing is on request.
FlexSim
FlexSim is 3D discrete-event simulation software for modeling and improving existing or proposed systems. Its realistic 3D graphics visualize system behavior, while drag-and-drop controls let users place objects and resources and import CAD drawings or custom 3D objects. Model-building options include a Standard Object Library, Process Flow activity blocks, FlexScript, and C++ integration. For analysis, FlexSim offers charts, graphs, data tracking, and spreadsheet export. OptQuest integration supports scenario optimization using variables, constraints, and multiple objectives. The Experimenter compares scenarios, distributes replications across CPU cores, and supports report generation and performance measures. Data can be imported and exported through Excel and SQL connectors, with FlexScript APIs for files, sockets, and HTTP requests. The Emulation tool supports Modbus, OPC DA, OPC UA, and certain manufacturer-specific PLC connections; some require an Emulation license. FlexSim is listed for Windows and web, with desktop deployment. Pricing is on request; the free Express trial plan has limits including 30 3D objects and 35 Process Flow activities.