Comparison of system dynamics software

This is a comparison of various aspects of software offering system dynamics features:

Due to concerns over commercial postings on the system dynamics main topic, commercial hyperlinks are specifically NOT active on this list.

Table of system dynamics software

Sortable table

Package name	Licensing	Implementation language	Last update (year)	Contact	More info
Analytica	Proprietary, commercial, free limited version	C++	2014	www.lumina.com	Supports system dynamics, Monte Carlo simulation, array abstraction, linear and non-linear optimization. Uses influence diagrams to define, navigate, and document models.
AnyLogic	Proprietary, commercial, free Personal Learning Edition (PLE) for education, formal or not	Java	2015	anylogic.com	Supports system dynamics, agent based and discrete event modeling, allows making hybrid models.
ASCEND	Free, GNU General Public License (GPL)	C	2012	ascend4.org	For solving small to very large mathematical models, systems of non-linear equations, linear and nonlinear optimisation problems, dynamic systems expressed as differential-algebraic equations.
Berkeley Madonna	Proprietary, shareware	C++, Java	2016	berkeleymadonna.com	Developed on Berkeley campus under sponsorship of NSF and NIH, used by academic and commercial institutions to build mathematical models for research and teaching. Solves ordinary differential equations (initial conditions and boundary value problems), difference equations (initial conditions and boundary value problems), multi-dimensional transcendental algebraic equation roots, discrete simulations using conveyors, ovens, and queues. Suitable for large-scale systems, boundary value problems, Monte Carlo models, curve fitting, root finding, batch processes, parameter plots, stiff systems, etc.
Consideo	Proprietary, commercial		2012	www.consideo-modeler.de	Combines different methods, concept maps, system dynamics.
DYNAMO	Proprietary, no longer distributed commercially	AED, Pascal	1986	N/A	Historic DYNAMO models are often available at the MIT system dynamics website. DYNAMO software for microcomputers may be available via eBay or other resale sites.
Dynaplan Smia	Proprietary, commercial	C++	2013	www.dynaplan.com	System dynamics, causal loops, multi-dimensional arrays, hierarchical models, reusable components, scripted functions, stochastic and sensitivity analysis, optimization, scenarios.
Forio Simulations	Proprietary, commercial		2016	www.forio.com	Web-based system dynamics software, hosts models in a variety of languages including Vensim, Julia, R and Python
GoldSim	Proprietary, commercial	C++	2016	www.goldsim.com	Differs from traditional system dynamics approaches in that 1) it puts much greater emphasis on probabilistic simulation techniques to support representation of uncertain and/or stochastic systems; and 2) it provides a wide variety of specialized model objects (beyond stocks, flows and converters) in order to make models less abstract (and hence more transparent) and help represent processes and events that cannot easily be represented using a traditional system dynamics approach. These differences are due to the fact that GoldSim is primarily used for engineering and scientific applications where quantitative probabilistic predictions of future performance are required.
Insight Maker	Free, Insight Maker Public License^L	JavaScript	2016	www.insightmaker.com	Web based, multi-user, supports causal loop diagrams, rich pictures, dialogue mapping, mind mapping, stock & flow simulation models.
JDynSim	Free, GPL	Java	2010	code.google.com/p/dynsim	System dynamics framework for Java.
MapleSim	Proprietary, commercial	Java (GUI), C, Maple (engine)	2013	www.maplesoft.com/products/maplesim	Modelica-based system-level modeling tool. Leverages symbolic computing via tight integration with Maple.
Mapsim	Free, GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL)	.NET Framework	2013	mapsim.sourceforge.net
Minsky	Free, LGPL	C++	2015	sourceforge.net/projects/minsky	Graphic wiring interface. Specialist economic modeling.
NetLogo	Free, GPLv2	Java, Scala	2015	ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo	Agent-based modeling environment in LOGO; supports system dynamics models as a secondary feature.
OptiSim	Free, for education. Copyright 2009-2010 by Tomasz Zawadzki. All rights reserved.	Java	2010	www.optisim.org/QLENG	Web-based system dynamics software for education. Project appears inactive. Code is inaccessible.
Powersim Studio	Proprietary, commercial, free trial 30 days	C++	2015	www.powersim.com	System dynamics and discrete event modeling. Features include sensitivity analysis, optimization, GUI builder. Many license formats including SDK, academic, commercial and a free Studio Express
Pyndamics	Free, MIT License	Python	2013	github.com/bblais/pyndamics	Numerical dynamics software, supports simple syntax for writing differential equations.
PySD	Free, MIT	Python	2016	github.com/JamesPHoughton/pysd	Translate and run models in Python. Designed for integration with Python data analytics stack.
RecurDyn	Proprietary, commercial, free trial 30 days	C++	2013	www.recurdyn.de	Offers multibody dynamic abilities with an integrated powerful nonlinear finite element method called Multi Flexible Body Dynamics (MFBD). Gives precise dynamic motion results including stress analysis in one simulation. Features flexible body contacts and nonlinear deformations.
Simantics System Dynamics	Free, Eclipse Public License (EPL)	Java, Modelica	2015	sysdyn.simantics.org	Free and open source system dynamics modelling software with stock and flow modelling, hierarchical models and array variables.
Simile	Proprietary, commercial	C++, Prolog, Tcl	2013	www.simulistics.com	System dynamics software with object-based concepts: hierarchical (nested) models, associations between models. Models may be pure system dynamics. Discrete event-based modelling. Free evaluation license limited to 25 model elements not by time or function.
Simulink	Proprietary, commercial	?	2015	www.mathworks.com/products/simulink	Tight integration with MATLAB
Sphinx SD Tools	Free, Apache License (ASL), version 2.0	Java	2013	sourceforge.net/projects/sphinxes
Stella, iThink	Proprietary, commercial		2012	iseesystems.com	Model builder based on intuitive icon-based graphical interface
Sysdea	Proprietary, commercial		2013	sysdea.com	Browser-based modeling tool for a monthly fee
SystemDynamics	Free, GPL	Java	2009	sourceforge.net/projects/system-dynamics
Temporal Reasoning Universal Elaboration (TRUE)	Proprietary, freeware, copyright 2002-2014 True-World, all rights reserved	WLanguage Windev	2014	www.true-world.com	System dynamics + 3D modeling (3D rendering using OpenGL graphics library) + procedural animation
Vensim	Proprietary, commercial, free Personal Learning Edition (PLE) for education and personal use	C	2016	vensim.com	Continuous simulation with stocks and flows, some discrete delay and discrete event functionality. Flexible array syntax with mapping among dimensions. Extensive support for time series data import and export, with calibration optimization and Markov chain Monte Carlo for estimation. Monte Carlo and other sensitivity simulation methods. Graphical model construction and interfaces. External functions and compiled simulation.
VisSim	Proprietary, commercial	C	2011	www.vissim.com	Accredited education institutions are allowed to site license VisSim v3.0 for free. The latest versions, and add-ons, are available to students and academic institutions at reduced pricing. A read-only version of the software, VisSim Viewer is available for free and provides a way for unlicensed users to run VisSim models.
Wolfram SystemModeler	Proprietary, commercial		2014	www.wolfram.com/system-modeler	Supports system dynamics, discrete event modeling, external C-functions, hierarchical models, and the Modelica modeling language with tight integration with Mathematica. Models can be exported to run as standalone applications for users without SystemModeler.

L.^ Graphing library MxGraph is licensed separately under paid commercial licence

See also

• List of computer simulation software

References