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.
HFSS
commercial
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Automatic adaptive
FEM FDTD PO Hybrid FEBI MoM Eigen Mode
For antenna/filter/IC packages, Radome,RFIC,LTCC,MMIC,Antenna Placement,Wave guides, EMI,FSS,Metamaterial,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, 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.