FDTDX vs FEATool Multiphysics
FDTDX
fdtdx.readthedocs.io
FEATool Multiphysics
featool.comSide by side
| Figure | FDTDX | FEATool Multiphysics |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Physics Simulation Software | 8.6 (#12) | 8.6 (#10) |
| Authoring tools | Yes | Yes |
| Data export | Yes | Yes |
| Delivery mode | desktop | desktop |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Integrations | The API includes functions for importing GDS polygons and working with GDS layer stacks and ports. | The maker lists native MATLAB integration and connections to MATLAB add-ons including Simulink, Optimization, and Control Systems toolboxes. |
| Intended users | The project describes FDTDX as freely usable for research, development, and commercial work involving photonic nanostructures. | The maker describes the product for engineers, researchers, teachers, and students in industry and academia. |
| Lesson library | No | Yes |
| Purpose | FDTDX is an open-source Python package for simulating and designing three-dimensional photonic nanostructures with the Finite-Difference Time-Domain method. | FEATool Multiphysics is an engineering simulation toolbox for modeling and solving physics problems. |
| Support | The FAQ invites users to open GitHub discussions for unanswered questions and issues for suspected bugs, and says the maintainers regularly check discussions. | Limited free help is available through the public community forum, with dedicated developer support available as an add-on. |
| 3D visuals | Yes | Yes |
Plans
FEATool Multiphysics
- Default free trial licenseFree
- 1-Year licensePrice not published
- Perpetual licensePrice not published
In their own words
FEATool Multiphysics
FEATool Multiphysics is desktop software for engineering simulation, with tools to model and solve problems across heat transfer, mass transport, structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetics. Models can be built in 1D, 2D, or 3D, including axisymmetric configurations. Geometry tools support modeling and exchange in STEP, IGES, STL, and OBJ formats; meshes can be generated with built-in tools or Gmsh, Netgen, tetWild, and Triangle. FEATool connects its solvers with OpenFOAM, SU2, FEniCS, and redbKIT workflows. Interface actions map to MATLAB functions, and projects can be saved as MATLAB scripts or exported as Python scripts for FEniCS. Results can be exported to MATLAB, CSV, GMV, and VTK, or as interactive ParaView Glance and Plotly web models. It runs as a standalone app on Windows and Linux, or as a MATLAB toolbox on Windows, Linux, and Intel Mac; no standalone macOS app is available. A limited-functionality trial is offered, with full-feature trials requestable for 30 days.