Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ANSYS Fluent VS Aspen Plus

Compare ANSYS Fluent VS Aspen Plus and see what are their differences

ANSYS Fluent logo ANSYS Fluent

ANSYS engineering simulation and 3D design software delivers product modeling solutions with unmatched scalability and a comprehensive multiphysics foundation.

Aspen Plus logo Aspen Plus

Maximize profits using a plant-wide simulation solution that combines unparalleled accuracy and engineering collaboration with time-saving workflows.
  • ANSYS Fluent Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26
  • Aspen Plus Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-30

ANSYS Fluent features and specs

  • Comprehensive Physics Modeling
    ANSYS Fluent offers extensive modeling capabilities encompassing fluid dynamics, heat transfer, turbulence, and various multiphase flows, enabling accurate simulations across a wide range of applications.
  • High Accuracy
    With advanced numerical algorithms, Fluent provides highly accurate results, which are validated across numerous industries and academic studies.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The software features a user-friendly graphical interface, making it easier for both beginners and experienced users to set up and analyze simulations.
  • Extensive Post-Processing Tools
    Fluent includes a suite of post-processing tools that allow users to visualize and analyze simulation results in detail through contour plots, vector plots, and animations.
  • Strong Technical Support and Community
    ANSYS offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and customer support, as well as an active user community that can help with troubleshooting and learning.
  • Scalability
    Fluent is highly scalable and can run on a wide range of platforms, from personal workstations to high-performance computing clusters, making it suitable for different project sizes.

Possible disadvantages of ANSYS Fluent

  • Cost
    ANSYS Fluent is a high-end software, often accompanied by significant licensing fees, which may not be affordable for smaller companies or individual users.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the comprehensive features and advanced functionalities of Fluent can result in a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running complex simulations in Fluent can be computationally demanding, requiring significant processing power and memory, which might necessitate high-performance computing resources.
  • Dependency on Accurate Input
    The accuracy of Fluent simulations is heavily dependent on the quality of input data and initial conditions, which means that inaccurate or insufficient input can lead to unreliable results.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users sometimes report stability issues or crashes during large, complex simulations, which can disrupt workflow and require troubleshooting.

Aspen Plus features and specs

  • Comprehensive Process Modeling
    Aspen Plus offers a robust suite of tools for simulating a wide range of chemical processes, making it ideal for detailed process modeling and optimization.
  • Advanced Thermodynamic Models
    The software includes a wide array of thermodynamic models that accurately represent the physical and chemical properties of substances involved in diverse processes.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Aspen Plus can be integrated with other tools and databases, facilitating seamless data exchange and comprehensive analysis across multiple industrial functions.
  • Large User Community
    Aspen Plus is widely used in the industry, providing a vast community for support, resource sharing, and collaboration.
  • High Customizability
    Users can customize their simulations using scripting and user-added functionality to address specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of Aspen Plus

  • Expensive Licensing
    Aspen Plus comes with a high licensing cost, which may be prohibitive for smaller companies or academic institutions.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its complexity and vast features, new users may find it challenging to learn and effectively use without significant training.
  • Complex Interface
    The user interface can be overwhelming for beginners due to its complexity and the number of available options.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running simulations on Aspen Plus can be resource-intensive, requiring powerful computer hardware to ensure efficient operation.
  • Annual Maintenance Fees
    In addition to the initial cost, there are ongoing maintenance fees for software updates and support.

ANSYS Fluent videos

ANSYS Fluent: Overview of the Mapped Interface Technique for CHT Simulations

Aspen Plus videos

Quick Review of Aspen Plus Simulation Software

More videos:

  • Review - Unboxing and Assembly of NCM Aspen Plus

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ANSYS Fluent and Aspen Plus)
Technical Computing
79 79%
21% 21
Numerical Computation
82 82%
18% 18
Simulation Software
70 70%
30% 30
CFD
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using ANSYS Fluent and Aspen Plus. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ANSYS Fluent seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ANSYS Fluent mentions (1)

  • Cannot access the ansys.com website (Access denied)
    I live in Iraq and whenever I try to access "ansys.com", I get the error. Source: about 2 years ago

Aspen Plus mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Aspen Plus yet. Tracking of Aspen Plus recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ANSYS Fluent and Aspen Plus, you can also consider the following products

OpenFOAM - OpenFOAM® - Official home of The Open Source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Toolbox.

DWSIM - DWSIM is an open-source CAPE-OPEN compliant chemical process simulator for Windows and Linux.

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

COCO Simulator - COCO (CAPE-OPEN to CAPE-OPEN) is a free-of-charge CAPE-OPEN compliant steady-state simulation...

SimFlow - SimFlow is a powerful CFD software, focused on engineering and science.

Engineering Equation Solver - EES (pronounced 'ease') is a general equation-solving program that can numerically solve...