| Name |
License |
Windows |
Linux |
3D |
GUI |
Convergence detector |
Mesher |
Algorithm |
Area of application |
| NEC |
open source |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
In some distributions |
Yes |
manual |
MoM |
Antenna modeling, especially in Amateur Radio. Widely used as the basis for many GUI-based programs on many platforms. Version 2 is open source, but Versions 3 and 4 are commercially licensed. |
| Momentum |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Partial |
Yes |
Yes |
equidistant |
MoM |
For passive planar elements development, integrated into Keysight EEsof Advanced Design System. |
| Ansys HFSS |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic adaptive |
FEM, FDTD, PO, Hybrid FEBI, MoM, and Eigenmode expansion (EME). |
For antenna/filter/IC packages, Radome, RFIC, MMIC, Antenna Placement, Waveguide (radio frequency), EMI, Frequency selective surfaces (FSS), Electromagnetic metamaterials, Composite Material, RCS-Mono and Bi development. |
| XFdtd |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic (project optimized) |
FDTD |
RF and microwave antennas, components, and systems, including mobile devices. MRI coils, radar, waveguides, SAR validation. |
| AWR Axiem |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic, Hybrid |
MoM |
PCBs, multi-layer PCBs, LTCC, HTCC, on-chip passives, printed antennas. Integrated into Microwave Office. |
| AWR Analyst |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic and adaptive |
FEM |
3D structurers (including 3D antennas), waveguides, 3D filters, PCBs, multi-layer PCBs, LTCC, HTCC, on-chip Passives, printed antennas. Integrated into Microwave Office. |
| JCMsuite |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic, error-controlled |
FEM |
Nano- and micro-photonic applications (light scattering,[1] waveguide modes,[2] optical resonances[3]). |
| QuickField |
commercial and free editions |
Yes |
No |
Partial |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic or Manual |
FEM |
General purpose for research, engineering and educational use, includes AC, DC and Transient Magnetics, Electrostatics, AC and DC Conduction, Transient Electrics, Heat Transfer and multiphysics |
| COMSOL Multiphysics |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic |
FEM, MoM, BPM, ray tracing |
General purpose |
| FEKO |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic or manual; adaptive |
MoM, FEM FDTD MLFMM PO RL-GO UTD |
For antenna analysis, antenna placement, windscreen antennas, microstrip circuits, waveguide structures, radomes, EMI, cable coupling, FSS, metamaterials, periodic structures, RFID |
| Elmer FEM |
open source (GPL) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
manual, or can import other mesh formats |
FEM |
General purpose, includes 2D and 3D magnetics solvers, both static and harmonic. 3D solver is based on the Whitney AV formulation of Maxwell's equations. |
| VSimEM |
Commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic, variable mesh |
FDTD, PIC, finite volume |
Simulating electromagnetics, and electrostatics in complex dielectric and metallic environments. Phased array antenna systems, radar equipment, and photonics. |
| Meep |
open source (GPL) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
manual |
FDTD, FDFD |
Optics and photonics (nanophotonics, photonic crystals, plasmonics, silicon photonics, metamaterials) |
| CST Studio Suite |
commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic, adaptive |
FDTD/FIT, FEM, MLFMM, MoM, SBR, PIC |
General purpose – statics, low-frequency, microwaves and RF, terahertz, photonics, particle accelerators, electronics |
| MPB |
open source (GPL) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
manual |
PWEM |
For band diagram and modal analysis of periodic structures (photonic crystals and metamaterials) |