List of the Top 9 Free Mechanical Engineering Software in 2025

Solid Edge comprises a suite of cost-effective software tools that are user-friendly and straightforward to manage. It enhances every facet of product development, encompassing mechanical and electrical design, simulation, manufacturing processes, technical documentation, data management, and collaboration through the cloud. Grounded in Siemens' cutting-edge technologies, Solid Edge provides an extensive and imaginative methodology for product development tailored to mainstream industries. This comprehensive toolkit is designed to streamline workflows and improve efficiency across various engineering disciplines.

Onshape is an innovative CAD and data management platform that features standard content libraries, advanced CAD capabilities, multi-part modeling, and in-context editing. It provides users with the convenience of accessing their work from any location at any time, eliminating the need for downloads or installations. Additionally, Onshape enables users to securely share and store their CAD data in a cloud workspace. Moreover, it allows for the management and monitoring of access rights to the stored CAD files, ensuring a higher level of security and collaboration. With Onshape, teams can work together more effectively, no matter where they are located.

MechaniCalc, developed by MechaniCalc, Inc., presents a suite of online calculators that focus on machine design and structural analysis. These tools provide detailed and precise analyses that align with industry standards while being intuitive and easy to use. By leveraging these calculators, users can significantly accelerate their design and analysis workflows, boosting both efficiency and assurance in their projects. The platform boasts a wide range of calculators designed to simplify mechanical engineering tasks. Each tool comes with thorough documentation that includes usage guidelines and validation examples, showcasing how the outputs of the calculators align with recognized textbook solutions for specific issues. Furthermore, the site contains extensive reference materials that delve into various mechanical engineering subjects and elucidate the methods applied in the calculators. Users benefit from unlimited access to all calculators and resources available on the website, along with the option to create custom materials and cross-sections for integration into the calculators. This feature enables engineers to adapt their design workflows to effectively meet the unique demands of their projects. With MechaniCalc, professionals are equipped not only with powerful tools but also with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions in their engineering endeavors.

ODOP: Spring surpasses conventional spring calculators by providing an advanced design application within the Open Design Optimization Platform that isn't limited to specific issues. This software effectively tackles intricate demands found in mechanical engineering and machine design by removing the laborious task of manually inputting parameters such as wire diameter, coil diameter, free length, and coil count, which often require several iterations to achieve an acceptable result. With its groundbreaking method, ODOP reverses standard formula relationships to reduce uncertainty in the design process. By backsolving spring design equations, it skillfully conforms to the constraints set for various problem variables. Whether aiming to identify the lightest material for superior performance or to guarantee durability with minimal risk of failure, our helical coil spring design software proficiently pinpoints the constrained limits of any variable. Consequently, it not only streamlines the design process but also enables engineers to attain precise results while conserving essential time and resources. This innovative approach ultimately enhances productivity and fosters more effective engineering practices.

Dymola, short for Dynamic Modeling Laboratory, is an extensive platform focused on the modeling and simulation of complex, integrated systems utilized in fields like automotive, aerospace, robotics, and process engineering. By harnessing Dymola's cutting-edge Modelica and simulation technologies, users can effectively tackle intricate multi-disciplinary modeling and analysis tasks. This all-in-one environment supports the development, testing, simulation, and post-processing of models, rendering it essential for engineers in various sectors. In addition to its powerful features, Dymola is equipped with libraries crafted by industry professionals, which significantly boost its capabilities, enabling swift modeling and simulation of complicated systems across a range of engineering disciplines. Moreover, the inclusion of the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) allows for the generation of C code or binaries from any modeling software that accurately reflects a dynamic system model, thereby expanding Dymola's versatility and integration into a wide array of workflows. Such seamless collaboration between different software tools fosters greater efficiency and sparks innovation in the design and analysis of systems. Ultimately, Dymola stands as a critical asset in advancing engineering practices and methodologies.

SOLVESPACE is a parametric 3D CAD software that is open-source and distributed under the GPLv3 license, enabling users to create 3D components and drawings through a variety of functions, including extrusions, revolutions, and Boolean operations such as union, difference, and intersection. Additionally, it facilitates 2D part modeling by allowing users to sketch a section and export it in formats like DXF, PDF, and SVG, while its 3D assembly function is helpful for assessing how components fit together. For enthusiasts of 3D printing, it provides the ability to export parts in STL and other mesh formats, ensuring compatibility with most 3D printers. Furthermore, SOLVESPACE supports the generation of CAM data, allowing users to export 2D vector art suitable for use with waterjet machines or laser cutters, as well as creating STEP and STL files for seamless integration with third-party CAM software for machining tasks. The software is especially advantageous for mechanism design, leveraging a constraint solver to simulate both planar and spatial linkages, accommodating a range of joint types such as pin, ball, and slide joints. Instead of depending on conventional trigonometry and spreadsheets, users can engage with live-dimensioned drawings that simplify the handling of plane and solid geometry, and they can sketch sections using various shapes like lines, rectangles, datum lines, points, circles, arcs, cubic Bezier segments, and more advanced C2 interpolating splines. This all-encompassing approach not only fosters creativity and productivity in the design workflow but also positions SOLVESPACE as an indispensable tool for both engineers and designers, enhancing their ability to innovate and realize complex projects effectively. Ultimately, its versatility and user-friendly interface make it an ideal choice for a wide range of design applications.

OpenFOAM is a free and open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software that has been created by OpenCFD Ltd since 2004. It is supported by a large user community that includes individuals from numerous engineering and scientific disciplines, encompassing both industrial and academic users. This software provides an extensive range of functionalities designed to tackle numerous challenges, including complex fluid dynamics with chemical reactions, turbulence, heat transfer, and applications in areas such as acoustics, solid mechanics, and electromagnetics. To promote ongoing advancements, OpenFOAM is updated twice a year, incorporating improvements that are financed by users and contributions from the broader community. The software is meticulously tested by ESI-OpenCFD's application experts, development partners, and selected clients, all bolstered by ESI's global infrastructure and dedication to maintaining high standards. Quality assurance is upheld through a rigorous testing process, which includes hundreds of daily unit tests, a series of moderate tests performed weekly, and a comprehensive, industry-oriented test suite. This diligent strategy guarantees that OpenFOAM remains dependable and effective for its various users. Beyond that, the cooperative aspect of its development nurtures an active community that consistently propels innovation within the software, enhancing its capabilities and user experience. This dynamic environment not only enriches the software itself but also fosters collaboration among its users, leading to shared knowledge and advancements in the field.

Enhance your product design and development experience by leveraging Creo, the sophisticated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software that empowers you to envision, design, produce, and innovate with remarkable efficiency. In an era marked by fierce competition, teams engaged in product design and manufacturing are under constant pressure to boost productivity and minimize expenses while upholding exceptional levels of creativity and quality. Fortunately, Creo provides a comprehensive and adaptable array of 3D CAD tools that distinguish themselves in the industry. The newest iteration, Creo 7.0, brings forth revolutionary features in areas such as generative design, real-time simulation, multibody design, additive manufacturing, and beyond. Transforming your concepts into digital prototypes has never been more straightforward, precise, or user-friendly than with Creo, a leader in CAD technology for over 30 years. With the launch of Creo 7.0, PTC highlights its commitment to enhancing an already formidable toolset, utilizing strategic alliances to expand its capabilities and cater to the ever-changing demands of the industry. This continuous improvement signals a future where your design prowess can evolve in tandem with your business goals, fostering innovation and progress. As you explore the possibilities with Creo, you’ll find that your creative potential can truly thrive.

Bolt Analytics is a user-friendly software application designed for Windows that caters to the needs of engineers and technicians alike. It provides rapid and comprehensive analysis of bolted joints, enabling users to dimension these connections safely and dependably within seconds. This efficiency ensures that professionals can focus on critical aspects of their projects with confidence.