Interactive Physics vs OpenFOAM
Interactive Physics
design-simulation.com
OpenFOAM
openfoam.comSide by side
| Figure | Interactive Physics | OpenFOAM |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 17 | 1 |
| Spec score · Physics Simulation Software | 8.2 (#26) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Data export | Yes | Yes |
| Delivery mode | desktop | desktop |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Canton, Michigan, USA | Bracknell, Berkshire, UK |
| Platforms | The FAQ says the current PC version is 2005 and the current Mac version is 5.0, which runs only in Mac Classic mode through Mac OS X 10.4; later Macs require running the Windows version through a portal program. | The v2606 release provides Linux packages and source code; Windows users can use WSL, native cross-compiled executables, or Docker, and macOS users can compile from source or use Docker. |
| Purpose | Interactive Physics is educational software for modeling and simulating physical phenomena in STEM education. | OpenFOAM is an open-source computational fluid dynamics toolbox for simulating fluid flow, heat transfer, and related physical processes. |
| Support | The maker lists [email protected] and a support forum, and says Homework/Student Editions do not include technical support. | OpenCFD offers a one-year support package covering installation, bug fixes, updates, CFD assistance, and code customisation, with a maximum number of service hours per year. |
Plans
Interactive Physics
- Single User (node-locked)Price not published
- Additional Single UserPrice not published
- Single User (dongle-locked)Price not published
- 10 UserPrice not published
- 20 UserPrice not published
- 30 UserPrice not published
- Single User (node-locked) — Annual License$100 a year
- Single User (node-locked) — Paid Up License$249, paid once
- 10 User — Annual License$400 a year
- 20 User — Annual License$600 a year
In their own words
Interactive Physics
Interactive Physics has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM is a free, open-source computational fluid dynamics toolbox for simulating fluid flow, heat transfer, and related physical processes. It provides pre-processing, mesh generation, solvers for different flow and physics problems, and post-processing tools. Built-in utilities include blockMesh and snappyHexMesh, and it can convert meshes from external formats. ParaView visualization is supported through the paraFoam launcher, reader modules, VTK conversion, and VTK output during simulations. OpenFOAM runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and supports self-hosted use. Its current release is v2606, released on 26 June 2026; GPU offloading is available as a compile-time option, with that work on a separate development track. It is distributed under the GNU General Public Licence. OpenCFD offers a one-year support package for installation, fixes, updates, CFD assistance, and code customization, subject to a yearly service-hours maximum. It does not respond to support queries without a prior package. Training courses are also offered, with prices provided through a schedule or enquiry process.