SimScale
SimScale is a cloud-native engineering simulation platform that runs CFD, FEA, and thermal analysis in the browser for AEC teams studying wind comfort, HVAC, and building performance.
Traditional CFD and FEA tools often tie teams to local workstations, long meshing chores, and specialists who guard the setup files. SimScale moves multiphysics simulation into a browser workspace where architects and engineers can test pedestrian wind comfort, facade pressures, indoor air quality, and structural loads without installing desktop solvers (SimScale AEC industry page, 2026).
For building projects, the platform covers external microclimate studies and internal comfort workflows. Lattice Boltzmann Method solvers accelerate pedestrian wind comfort and urban wind studies, while conjugate heat transfer and ventilation templates help size HVAC strategies early. Customers such as Zaha Hadid Architects and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture cite shorter feedback loops during concept design (SimScale AEC page, 2026).
SimScale connects to common AEC authoring tools through CAD import and API integrations with Rhino, Grasshopper, Ladybug, Revit, SketchUp, and Onshape. Thornton Tomasetti and KPF have built Rhino-based wind apps on the SimScale API, which shows how the platform slots into existing BIM and computational design stacks (SimScale AEC page, 2026).
A free Community plan includes 10 unrestricted simulations and up to 3,000 core hours for learning, while Mechanical, Professional, and Enterprise tiers use custom pricing with private projects, higher compute quotas, and optional Engineering AI features on paid plans (SimScale pricing page, 2026).
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- No local HPC hardware required; simulations run on elastic cloud compute
- Free Community tier for learning with 3,000 core hours
- Strong AEC templates for wind comfort and indoor environment studies
- Integrates with Rhino, Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Revit workflows
- Parallel wind-direction studies can run many cases at once
Cons
- Paid Mechanical, Professional, and Enterprise plans require custom quotes
- Specialized solvers such as pedestrian wind comfort and LBM are paid add-ons
- Community plan limits quantitative results after the 10-simulation cap
- Advanced nonlinear structural analysis needs optional Marc add-on
- Requires internet connectivity; browser workflow may not suit every regulated IT environment
Key features
Browser-based simulation: Run CFD, FEA, and thermal studies in the cloud without local solver installs or HPC maintenance.
AEC microclimate analysis: Pedestrian wind comfort, building aerodynamics, facade wind loading, and outdoor thermal comfort workflows.
Indoor environment studies: Thermal comfort, indoor air quality, ventilation, envelope heat transfer, and data center cooling templates.
Lattice Boltzmann CFD: GPU-accelerated LBM solver for faster transient urban wind and pedestrian comfort studies.
CAD interoperability: Import STL, DWG, IGES, and models from Rhino, Revit, SketchUp, Onshape, and AutoCAD with in-platform CAD editing.
API and Rhino integrations: Python SDK and partner links with Rhino, Grasshopper, Ladybug, and ESRI ArcGIS for custom apps.
Parametric cloud runs: Simulate multiple design variants or wind directions in parallel to shorten early-stage iteration.
Engineering AI options: Enterprise plans add agentic workflow automation and Physics AI surrogate models for faster predictions.
Pricing
Community
per year
Free
Includes 10 unrestricted simulations and up to 3,000 core hours. Verify limits on vendor site.
Mechanical
Contact sales
Custom pricing. Includes private projects and standard structural and thermal analysis. Request quote on vendor site.
Professional
Contact sales
Custom pricing. Comparison table lists 10,000 core hours. Request quote on vendor site.
Enterprise
Contact sales
Custom pricing with Engineering AI, Physics AI, and dedicated API support. Request quote on vendor site.
Frequently asked questions
How much does SimScale cost?
SimScale publishes a free Community plan with 10 unrestricted simulations and up to 3,000 core hours (SimScale pricing, 2026). Mechanical, Professional, and Enterprise subscriptions use custom pricing via Request Pricing forms, with Professional including 10,000 core hours in the public comparison table.
Does SimScale work on Mac or only in a browser?
SimScale is cloud-native and runs in a web browser, so engineers on Windows, macOS, or Linux can set up and review simulations without installing local solvers (SimScale homepage, 2026). Optional CAD associativity plugins exist for some desktop CAD tools such as SolidWorks.
What file formats can SimScale import for AEC projects?
SimScale imports common exchange formats including STL, DWG, and IGES, and supports workflows from Rhino, Grasshopper, Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Onshape according to its AEC industry page (SimScale AEC, 2026).
Can SimScale analyze pedestrian wind comfort for urban projects?
Yes. SimScale lists pedestrian wind comfort, building aerodynamics, and facade pressure studies as core external AEC workflows, with lattice Boltzmann solvers for transient urban wind analysis (SimScale AEC industry page, 2026). Firms such as Thornton Tomasetti have built Rhino wind tunnel apps on the SimScale API.
SimScale vs traditional desktop CFD for architecture: when does cloud simulation help?
Cloud simulation removes local HPC procurement and lets non-specialists run templated wind or HVAC studies early. SimScale cites customers shortening CFD feedback from months to days and running many wind directions in parallel. Desktop tools may still win when offline security policies block cloud solvers or when teams need deeply customized on-prem clusters (SimScale case studies, 2026).
Is SimScale useful for HVAC and indoor comfort design?
Yes. SimScale's AEC page covers thermal comfort, indoor air quality, ventilation, solar shading, envelope heat transfer, and data center cooling as internal building workflows (SimScale AEC, 2026). These studies support early HVAC sizing and comfort validation before detailed BIM coordination.
Who uses SimScale in the AEC industry?
Published case studies and testimonials name firms including Zaha Hadid Architects, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Thornton Tomasetti, KPF, Perkins&Will, Atkins, and Ingenieurbüro Hausladen using SimScale for wind, microclimate, and indoor environment analysis (SimScale AEC page, 2026).