FEST-3D vs SimFlow

FEST-3D is a Fortran 90 finite-volume computational fluid dynamics solver for Navier–Stokes flow problems on structured grids, developed for aerodynamics. It handles incompressible and compressible flows, including inviscid, laminar, transitional and turbulent cases. Users can select among flux schemes, reconstruction methods, time-integration options, turbulence models and transition models. MPI distributes computations across processors on one or more machines. The solver is free and open source under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, with source available from GitHub. Its installation script supports Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS and macOS, while manual installation instructions cover Linux. Building requires a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake and Make. Tutorials in a separate repository address verification cases such as a smooth bump, lid-driven cavity, flat plates and an airfoil. FEST-3D writes VTK or Tecplot output for separate visualization tools. Grid generation and post-processing are outside the solver, and the project notes its halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.

SimFlow is desktop software for computational fluid dynamics, covering the workflow from mesh generation through post-processing. Simulations stay on the user's hardware, and the software runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, including Apple Silicon. Jobs can run on a local cluster, remote server, or cloud, with HPC-grade parallel computing and no per-core or hourly charges. The full simulation engine is included in every plan. CAD imports include STL, STEP, IGES, OBJ, and BRep; results can be exported in VTK, Fluent, Tecplot, and Ensight formats. SimFlow integrates with ParaView, OpenFOAM, Docker, and Windows Subsystem for Linux. The free plan has no signup, credit-card requirement, or time limit, but is limited to 200,000 mesh nodes and one CPU. Professional costs €8,000 per year; Enterprise costs €10,000 per year. Commercial plans include a 30-day trial. Perpetual licenses are also available, with one year of maintenance and optional yearly renewals.