Best Software for 2025 is now live!

Compare Inventor Nastran and SolidWorks Simulation

Save
    Log in to your account
    to save comparisons,
    products and more.
At a Glance
Inventor Nastran
Inventor Nastran
Star Rating
(22)4.0 out of 5
Market Segments
Enterprise (40.9% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Inventor Nastran
SolidWorks Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation
Star Rating
(57)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Mid-Market (48.1% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about SolidWorks Simulation
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • Users report that Inventor Nastran excels in finite element analysis with a score of 8.4, while SolidWorks Simulation also performs well but slightly lower at 8.1. Reviewers mention that Inventor Nastran's advanced capabilities in structural analysis make it a preferred choice for complex engineering tasks.
  • Reviewers mention that SolidWorks Simulation offers superior ease of use with a score of 8.5 compared to Inventor Nastran's 7.1. Users on G2 appreciate SolidWorks' intuitive interface and streamlined setup process, making it more accessible for new users.
  • G2 users highlight that Inventor Nastran provides robust multibody dynamics simulation with a score of 8.7, which is particularly beneficial for users working on intricate mechanical systems. In contrast, SolidWorks Simulation, while competent, does not match this level of detail in dynamics simulation.
  • Users say that SolidWorks Simulation shines in its quality of support, scoring 8.5, whereas Inventor Nastran lags behind at 6.7. Reviewers mention that SolidWorks offers responsive customer service and extensive online resources, enhancing the user experience.
  • Reviewers mention that Inventor Nastran's strong performance in fluid analysis, scoring 8.1, is a significant advantage for users needing detailed fluid dynamics simulations. SolidWorks Simulation, while capable, does not provide the same depth in this area.
  • Users report that both products have strong 3D modeling tools, with Inventor Nastran scoring 9.3 and SolidWorks Simulation at 9.1. However, reviewers note that Inventor Nastran's modeling capabilities are particularly robust for engineering applications, making it a go-to for professionals in the field.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Inventor Nastran
No pricing available
SolidWorks Simulation
No pricing available
Free Trial
Inventor Nastran
No trial information available
SolidWorks Simulation
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
7.5
22
8.3
40
Ease of Use
7.1
22
8.5
40
Ease of Setup
Not enough data
Not enough data
Ease of Admin
Not enough data
Not enough data
Quality of Support
6.6
22
8.5
35
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Not enough data
Not enough data
Product Direction (% positive)
7.3
22
8.1
37
Features by Category
Not enough data
8.4
283
Design
Not enough data
9.3
20
Not enough data
9.1
19
Not enough data
9.2
20
Not enough data
8.2
19
Tools
Not enough data
8.1
18
Not enough data
8.4
20
Not enough data
8.7
17
Work
Not enough data
7.7
17
Not enough data
7.9
17
Not enough data
8.6
18
Not enough data
8.2
16
Not enough data
8.6
18
Environment
Not enough data
8.3
17
Not enough data
8.4
15
Not enough data
7.9
14
Not enough data
8.4
18
Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)Hide 18 FeaturesShow 18 Features
Not enough data
Not enough data
Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Inventor Nastran
Inventor Nastran
SolidWorks Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation
Inventor Nastran and SolidWorks Simulation are categorized as Simulation & CAE
Unique Categories
Inventor Nastran
Inventor Nastran has no unique categories
SolidWorks Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation is categorized as Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) and Simulation and Test Suite
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Inventor Nastran
Inventor Nastran
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
22.7%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
36.4%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
40.9%
SolidWorks Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
40.7%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
48.1%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
11.1%
Reviewers' Industry
Inventor Nastran
Inventor Nastran
Automotive
31.8%
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
13.6%
Information Technology and Services
13.6%
Staffing and Recruiting
9.1%
Oil & Energy
9.1%
Other
22.7%
SolidWorks Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
24.1%
Design
16.7%
Higher Education
13.0%
Oil & Energy
7.4%
Machinery
7.4%
Other
31.5%
Most Helpful Reviews
Inventor Nastran
Inventor Nastran
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Raja Aravind Reddy M.
RM
Raja Aravind Reddy M.
Verified User in Research

The user interface is slick and the mesh options are adequate for the tasks that I usually face.

Most Helpful Critical Review
CP
Chris P.
Verified User in Entertainment

The software doesn't have more advanced adaptive meshing features, nor the ability to make symmetric results appear as a full assembly. I would like ISO clipping to view elements above a set threashold of stress only as a way to interrogate results. In...

SolidWorks Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Iftekhar A.
IA
Iftekhar A.
Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

I do use Solidworks simulation almost twice in a week and what I like, it easy to use and give accurate results.

Most Helpful Critical Review
Maarten G.
MG
Maarten G.
Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

Unfortunately, this list is a very long. In my opinion the software is underdeveloped in many ways. I would rate it "fair" or "mediocre" when using it as a tool for basic analysis only (not more than a few parts, mostly linear analysis with maybe a bit of...

Alternatives
Inventor Nastran
Inventor Nastran Alternatives
Ansys Fluent
Ansys Fluent
Add Ansys Fluent
Ansys Mechanical
Ansys Mechanical
Add Ansys Mechanical
Abaqus
Abaqus
Add Abaqus
COMSOL Multiphysics®
COMSOL Multiphysics®
Add COMSOL Multiphysics®
SolidWorks Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation Alternatives
Inventor
Inventor
Add Inventor
NX CAD
Siemens NX
Add NX CAD
Autodesk Fusion
Autodesk Fusion
Add Autodesk Fusion
Ansys Mechanical
Ansys Mechanical
Add Ansys Mechanical
Discussions
Inventor Nastran
Inventor Nastran Discussions
Monty the Mongoose crying
Inventor Nastran has no discussions with answers
SolidWorks Simulation
SolidWorks Simulation Discussions
What is the use of Solidworks software?
2 comments
Saurabh s.
SS
Solidworks is a solid modelling tool that best describes it as a tool which can model the complex machine components and mechanisms. Also Solidworks has a...Read more
Is solidworks simulation free?
1 comment
Sanket P.
SP
No its based on subscriptionRead more
Monty the Mongoose crying
SolidWorks Simulation has no more discussions with answers