# SolidWorks Simulation Premium Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Is SolidWorks Simulation Premium the right Simulation solution for you? Explore 56 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/reviews --- SolidWorks Simulation Premium 4.4 (56) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/124171/SolidWorks-Simulation-Premium/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Reviews of SolidWorks Simulation Premium Ease of use 4.2 Customer Service 4.1 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews NW Nathan W EngineerAutomotive, 5,001 - 10,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “I like that the constraints are easy to set up and modify.“ May 20, 2024 JE John E Mechanical EngineerAutomotive, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Sometimes the errors aren't as detailed as one would hope, and it is thus difficult for a beginner to find out exactly where he or she went wrong.“ February 20, 2023 TA Tariq A StudentEducation Management, Self-employedUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “The results are really well presented and a report can be printed which has all the essentials that i will need for any presentation.“ June 14, 2022 NR Naveen R Tech ManagerMechanical or Industrial Engineering, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The least liked about the Solidworks Simulation is type of elements available & nonlinear solving capabilities“ October 25, 2022 Vasilis G Mechanical EngineerHigher Education, 5,001 - 10,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Ease of use even for beginners, good for an introduction in the world of FE simulations.“ November 20, 2022 MB Mohd Nubli B LecturerMechanical or Industrial Engineering, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “While the downside is that users may find it more time consuming and more expensive than using other simple model.“ February 27, 2023 MB Mohd Nubli B LecturerMechanical or Industrial Engineering, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “This software has streamlined my workflow and I find it easy to use.“ February 27, 2023 Patrick S Mechanical engineerSemiconductors, 5,001 - 10,000 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “It was too complex.“ August 21, 2022 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 56 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Tousif A. Research Assistant Research Used the software for: 2+ years ### "SolidWorks simulation is quite handy!" December 2, 2020 5.0 It is overall good as long as I do not have to do anything too complicated. It is best for undergraduate projects and industrial applications. Pros The bets feature of SolidWorks Simulation is that it is very very easy to use. The graphical interface makes it quite easy to understand what tool does what. Additionally the built in help and tutorials are very good to start learning the simulation process. It has all bells and whistles to do regular industrial simulations. You can apply several different loading on a part and get pretty good results with appropriate mesh. Cons The major con of SolidWorks Simulation is that the base software is very resource intensive. Which means even without any simulation running it takes up quite a bit of ram of your PC. As a result, while running simulations with finer mesh a mid-tier PC often runs out of memory. Another con is that SolidWorks Simulation is not so good for research problems. It cannot handle custom element codes for advance simulation techniques such as Phase Field Modeling. Switched from [AutoCAD](https://www.capterra.com/p/265024/AutoCAD/) I did not like the interface. Review Source NW Nathan W. Engineer Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A solid FEA tool for those that don't run FEA everyday" May 20, 2024 5.0 A great program that is simple to use to gut-check our designs before sending to the broader analysis team. Pros I like that the constraints are easy to set up and modify. The analysis is saved within the model itself, so rerunning and remeshing is simple. Cons Edge connections for deformation or heat transfer is difficult for the mesher. Usually, we have to "work around" this by introducing a more substantial interference within the model. I wish there was a better way to do this "for simulation only" connection. Switched from [SimSolid](https://www.capterra.com/p/160500/SIMSOLID/)[Inspire](https://www.capterra.com/p/173729/Solidthinking/)[Creo](https://www.capterra.com/p/164678/Creo/) Solidworks native simulation was important for consistency with our CAD. Review Source SD Sushil D. Advanced Lead Engineer Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Basically all simulation tools are garbage in- garbage out unless you fully understood the problem" June 12, 2017 3.0 I am using this tool for research purpose as well as solving the daily problems Pros It is embedded with CAD so it is relatively easier to use. If you understand the theory of the problem you want to solve : the results that you get from SolidWorks simulation tools are as equivalent to other tools like NASTRAN, ANSYS etc. I am the advanced lead engineer at GE transportation and use this tools for vibration analysis, fatigue analysis and static analysis. I solved the real vibration problem using this tool. I am the expert in the vibration analysis theory so for me using SolidWorks is easier, less time consuming than other software like ANSYS, ABAQUS and NASTRAN. I have used ANSYS and NASTRAN in the past but I like SolidWorks Simulation most because you can easily edit the geometry in SolidWorks. Basically the only weak part of SolidWorks Simulation is mesh optimization , it doesn't have that much as it just use tetrahedral element for solid meshing but you need to be aware that mesh optimization is not only the thing through which you get the results what you want. You need to fully understand the problem and only use the simulation as a solver. For example you need to the literature survey and define the problem and data related to the problem first. Cons I think SolidWorks has less strength in fatigue analysis. It has only the stress life approach and it will calculate the fatigue life based on the entered SN Curve. The other problem is: it has just a 5000 data point limit. You cannot enter more than 5000 data input curve for any analysis . It might be the huge problem. For example, if you have a signal of 5 sec time series and the signal is sampled at 1khz , you cannot enter more than 0.5sec time series that might be the issue for analyst . It would be great if they increase the input data limit and especially if they work more in the contact issue in the linear dynamic analysis. They should introduce bolt connector , no penetration/penetration contact , interference fit contact , sliding contact in the dynamic analysis . These contacts are really creating the inferiority of the software as compared to other tools like ANSYS and ABAQUS. The other thing I don't like about this software is they don't have frequency response function tool. If you want to correlate your experimental data with the simulation tool you need to have a frequency response function as FRF is the first measured quantity from the experiment. Try not to be confuse FRF with harmonic response analysis . FRF is ratio of output to input in frequency domain whereas harmonic analysis in SolidWorks is just the maximum amplitude response at the excitation frequencies range. Review Source Sakith S. Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Advantage of using SolidWorks Simulation Premium" June 20, 2019 4.0 When i doing my projects this is one of most important software for me. As a mechanical engineering undergraduate i have design many prototypes and i had to analyse those project. This real time simulation is very useful for success my projects. Pros Real time simulation UserFriendly Stress analysis Vibration analysis Cons This is one of best software that i had during my university studies. I did not have any issues when i using this. Review Source Kevin S. Senior Project Engineer Aviation & Aerospace Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great analysis tool " August 7, 2019 5.0 We use the simulation add-in to solve problems in designing turbo-machinery. It is an effective tool to solve natural frequency resonance, structural, flow, and thermal problems in our machine designs. Pros One stop shop for modeling and analysis. Very intuitive and quick to learn. Cons Older versions had limited meshing capability. This has gotten better, but still could be improved. Review Source Martin D. Fleet Analyst Mining & Metals Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Amazing experience, I recommend this software " July 28, 2018 5.0 Pros It is the perfect tool to your projects as an engineer, architect or industrial designer. You can perform fluid simulations, including not only water and air (I performed simulataions with oil). Also, there are simulations for motions, forces and structures. It is so useful to reduce time in calculations and improve your designs reducing your factor of safety. These simulations are very close to reality because the software includes variations due to model material, surface and geometry. Cons I did not find many problems with this software. Perhaps, solidworks must include a lite version to do fast reviews of your models and simulations. Just in the case, you need check simulation results or verify something in blueprints. Review Source Arlex G. VICEPRESIDENT Used the software for: 2+ years ### "SolidWorks Simulation is today a complement of solidworks, is an application that is evolving" January 20, 2018 3.0 With SolidWorks Simulation I have carried out works of simulation of resistance of materials, mechanical interactions, fluids and heat transfer. Pros SolidWorks Simulation has grown steadily, is a complement of solidworks, comes with the package and is very useful to test the designs. Cons SolidWorks Simulation generates reports whose presentation still leaves much to be desired, for simulations using the FEM method, it would be interesting to use other methods of analysis such as BEM, and a more intuitive application to work with external simulators such as matlab is desirable. Review Source Maria Andrea A. Programadora Palas Hidráulicas Mining & Metals Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Excellent software" August 28, 2018 5.0 Pros As an engineer, I found so useful SolidWorks simulation. It helps you to develop calculations related to fluid motion (including thermodynamics) and stress/deformation in your designs. So, you can correct or improve materials, dimensions, geomeotry or mechanisms in order to have a better design. It is simple and easy, you just need knowledge in mechanical design and thermodynamics. Also you can simulate motion using a library and templates that SolidWorks has. Cons I had some troubles trying to view my results in other software. I think theremust be a lite versión in order to just check results and basic characteristics Review Source Shubham G. Product Design Engineer Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "My experience is good while using this software. Very helpful in design simulation. " March 20, 2018 5.0 I do buckling analysis in a project to analyse the buckling effect on column at different end point conditions. The results was very effective. I really recommend this. Pros I really like it's easy to use simulation tools based on the design and it's functionality. The results are almost correct with the theoretical results. Cons Some time it lags while analysis big file or design. It has some features missing if compare to its competitor products like Ansys. Review Source Rafael B. Jefe del departamento de Oceanografia Used the software for: 2+ years ### "It is a robust software for 3D design whose main virtues are its performance and its ease of use. " March 21, 2018 4.0 I have benefited from its great ease when it is used for the generation of technical drawings and when I have used it to simulate resistance of different materials before the action of external solicitations. I have not found a better software to do the modeling of a piece that must be defined until its last details. Pros Being a parametric modeling software, allows the forms and dimensions with which you want to work, can be defined from formulas, while allowing the operations involved in the process can be executed in sequence. That is, each operation is done as part of a logical sequence that allows reaching a result. Cons It has shortcomings for the modeling of complex surfaces, because it is limited by drawing curves. The other important limitation is that it has a high modeling time when it comes to parts with multiple parts. Review Source AF Alessandro F. Progettista meccanico Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Bene ma non benissimo " January 24, 2023 4.0 Pros Facilità di utilizzo se impiegato da persona competente nel disegno meccanico Cons Problemi visualizzazione e selezione oggetti in particolare nell'ambiente messa in tavola Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Project Engineer Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Best software for simulation model" December 2, 2018 5.0 Overall I would recommend solidworks simulation to any of my Collegue because it definitely gets the work done. Pros The ease of use is one of the main things that I like about this software. While creating a 3D model and when you required to simulate the model, you won’t have any issue uttelizing this software. Cons Sometime when you don’t have a very high graphics card it tend to lag a lot when you’re running the simulation. Review Source MH Marwan H. student Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "good review for the solid works program" February 20, 2023 5.0 Pros have many functions almost all the functions needed for the any project Cons it is so heavy on the laptop and makes it lag Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Graduate Research Assistant Higher Education Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good Baseline Simulation" December 3, 2018 4.0 Good for when you just need to show something will work Pros Simple to input constraints and set up simulations. Cons I prefer to use Abicus for high resolution simulations. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Engineer Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Good but not best" July 25, 2019 4.0 Pros Fast simulations and low hardware required Cons No free trial, always crashing also incorrect results Review Source MM Michael M. Student Arts and Crafts Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Solidworks Simulation Premium" May 22, 2019 4.0 it was useful for seeing how something might work. Pros It allowed me to do simulations. I also was able to make useful things. Cons How hard some of the things are to use. Some things like assembly were hard to use. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Ingeniero Auxiliar Oil & Energy Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Best CAD for 3D modelling" January 12, 2019 4.0 Pros It allows you create almost any type of product or machine. It also allows you to perform some assessments to it's funcionality (for example: CFD analysis, Stress test). Cons The learning curve takes a lot of time in comparison to other software, i think. You need to have a very good understanding and experience with the software before you can take the most out of it. Review Source AS AJAY S. Senior VP Food & Beverages Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Solid works Simulation Review" April 19, 2021 5.0 Overall a very useful tools, great help is visualising the final product without going into actual moulds Pros Perhaps the best software to view the product before going for the final mould. Best past is you can view in 3D and color Cons At times is bit technical for people to handle, should be made in way so that people with very basic technical people can handle , as these are the guys who view these files Review Source GÖ Gülendam Ö. Mechanical Engineer Automotive Used the software for: I used a free trial ### "Short usage evaluation" September 30, 2019 5.0 As a student it was perfect to do homeworks and everything but i'm not using at my current job. I'm guessing they have not licence. Pros It has lots of features and great tool to use on automotive modelling. I only use while i was student. As far as i know Ford-Otosan is not using this tool. Cons I had try to use solidworks while i was a lisence student. If course wouldn't teach me i absolutely can't learn myself. It is too hard to use at first sight. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Mechanical engineer Semiconductors Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Very powerful simulation package." August 21, 2022 5.0 Using simulation premium was similar to standard simulation, but it allowed for greater functionality. Pros This software contained extremely powerful simulation toolboxes that were needed for a project, such as non-linear and dynamic modeling. Cons This software had much more functionality than was required for our purposes. It was too complex. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Junior Project Engineer Medical Devices Used the software for: 2+ years ### "SolidWorks Simulation Premium Review" August 10, 2020 3.0 My overall experience with Solidworks simulation is very positive. Although it has many issues, it is still the best software to run simulations on and is the most user friendly experience. Pros It is very easy to import one's model to run simulations such as Finite Element Analysis. Solidworks also generates very comprehensive test reports so the user can focus on the study they are running and less of the final report. Cons While the software has many good features for running simulation studies, it can be very slow to generate final results. The software can also crash on users causing them to have to set up their study again. Review Source SP SANDEEP P. Engineer Semiconductors Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Excellent package for Designers, inadequate for Pro users" March 13, 2019 4.0 Overall, if you are new or have limited FEA experience, you will be happy with it. It's good value for money for most applications and companies. Pros I have been using SW Simulation package for over 10 years now and have used it wide variety of simulations (Static, Dynamic, Linear, Non-Linear, Random Fatigue, Thermal Cycle Fatigue). Pros: 1. Integration with SW CAD enables you to make quick changes and run what-if scenarios 2. Easy for entry-level MEs or Designers to understand and use 3. Tutorials are well written 4. Works 90% of the time with default settings so MEs can focus on the design instead of sim settings and parameters Cons 1\. Not able to scale with hardware. eg you dont gain any improvement in solution time even if you use HPCs 2. Non-linear solver i snot as robust as other packages such as Abaqus or Ansys 3. Does not have low cycle fatigue capability 4. Does not have viscoeplastic material model 5. Does not have gasket element 6. Errors are difficult to understand and debug Review Source MNB Mohd Nubli B. Lecturer Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Really helpful software" February 27, 2023 5.0 I have been using SolidWorks for about four years and am very impressed with it. This software has streamlined my workflow and I find it easy to use. The customer service is excellent, and I have never had any problems with the software. I would recommend it to others. Pros The advantage of using SolidWorks Simulation is that some users may find it very useful to understand how a component or assembly will behave in a particular configuration. It also allows users to discover assemblies by exploding, unexploding, and hiding parts from viewing capabilities. In addition, the dimensions of the 3D CAD model are automatically according to industry standards. Cons While the downside is that users may find it more time consuming and more expensive than using other simple model. Additionally, SolidWorks Simulation can be difficult to use to create large and complex models, as it requires a high level of expertise and familiarity with the software. Review Source NR Naveen R. Tech Manager Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A FEA tool for Every Design Engineer" October 25, 2022 4.0 Since SolidWorks Simulation Premium is an integrated tool within Design environment , performance of the Design can be analysed right at the design stage instead of prototype testing thereby reducing time, materials & effortsThe failure locations can be predicted & necessary design change actions can be taken Pros SolidWorks Simulation User interface is by far the best for Design Engineer to setup their analysis . The integrations with Design Interface is seamless wherein any Design Changes are updated in analysis thereby cutting short the need to resetup the analysis again Cons The least liked about the Solidworks Simulation is type of elements available & nonlinear solving capabilities Review Source SK Sanjeev K. Manager Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "It's very nice software for machine design , very simple to use excellent user interface ," August 23, 2020 5.0 Basically I have use this software to design agriculture machinery like rotavators power harrow , trolley I have complete 8 project on this software in 4 year , I have also did simulation on this software to analyze the field problem and resolve the issue I have also use Ug NX Catia but solid works will be my first choice always Pros User interface is very simple, weldment is unique feature , tool box with gears , sprocket,nut bolts is very easy to import , sheet metal module is also very nice , simulation is also simple and easy to use overall nice product with small investment Cons Some time reference of the part get broken in assemly , must do something to improve, must provide the complete length along with cut grrove detail in the weldment ,meshing in simulation takes high time so must do some thing to improve these things Review Source Similar Products Featured