SimScale vs Step

SimScale has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

Step is a free Linux desktop application for exploring physical systems through interactive simulations. Users can change body and force properties while a simulation runs. Supported models include two-dimensional classical mechanics, molecular dynamics, sound waves, and deformable bodies, with particles, damped springs, gravitational and Coulomb forces, rigid bodies, and collision handling. Step calculates unit conversions, expressions, error propagation, and solver error estimates. Explicit and implicit solvers reach 8th order, with optional adaptive timesteps; most require GSL. Graph, meter, and tracer tools visualize results, while a controller changes properties using keyboard shortcuts. Tutorials, example experiments, object information, and an integrated Wikipedia browser provide learning material. More examples can be downloaded through KNewStuff. Expression calculations such as unit conversion require libqalculate. Step is GPL-2.0+ software, and its StepCore library can be used separately. The listed release is Step 26.08.2, released 2026-10-08.