Compare the Top Free Structural Engineering Software as of August 2025

What is Free Structural Engineering Software?

Structural engineering software is designed to provide engineers with the tools to efficiently and accurately analyze, design, and optimize building structures. This software often offers a wide range of calculations for steel, concrete, and timber designs, allowing the user to quickly conduct structural analysis. Structural engineering software also provides 3D modeling capabilities which enable visualization of layout plans as well as generate clear drawings. In addition, these programs are often accompanied by pre-defined library elements such as walls, beams, columns and slabs which save time during the design process. Finally, some packages may include an optimizer module that assists in finding the most economical structural design solution. Compare and read user reviews of the best Free Structural Engineering software currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.

  • 1
    SkyCiv Structural 3D

    SkyCiv Structural 3D

    SkyCiv Engineering

    SkyCiv Structural 3D is a cloud-based Structural Analysis software that allows users to model, analyze and design complex 3D structures. It is completely online; requiring no installation to use. SkyCiv Structural 3D offers the very best in online structural analysis. It includes the following: - Powerful Analysis: Linear, P-Delta, Cables, Buckling, Plates, Frequency, RS - Integrated Design checks for steel, wood, connections, foundations, wind (AISC, NSD, AISI, EN, AS, CSA, BS plus more...)
    Starting Price: $79/month/user
  • 2
    g-Viewer

    g-Viewer

    Geomage

    Geomage g-Viewer allows visualization and QC of different geophysical and seismic data. g-Viewer allows: - Load and QC Seg-Y files of any size - Load multiple Seg-Y files – 2D and 3D - Selection of active dataset from location map - Graphical representation of trace header(s) above seismogram view - Cross-plot any 3 trace headers (horizontal-vertical-color ) - Load of geometry from trace headers - Editing trace header scheme per each dataset - Selection and representation of CS/CR/CMP gathers picked from location map - Selection and representation of active trace from seismogram/location map - Editing text and bin headers - Auto-update feature allows to get new version whenever its available.
    Starting Price: $300/year/user
  • 3
    RFEM

    RFEM

    Dlubal Software

    The FEA program RFEM allows for quick and easy modeling, structural and dynamic calculation, as well as the design of models with member, plate, wall, folded plate, shell, and solid elements. Due to the modular software concept, you can connect the main program RFEM with the corresponding add‑ons in order to meet your individual requirements. The structural analysis program RFEM provides structural engineers with a 3D FEA program that meets all requirements in modern civil engineering. Efficient data input and intuitive handling facilitate the modeling of simple and complex structures. The structural analysis program RFEM is the basis of a modular software system. The basic program RFEM is used to define structures, materials, and loads for planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, and members. The program also allows you to create combined structures as well as model solid and contact elements.
    Starting Price: €697.50 rent 1 month
  • 4
    RSECTION

    RSECTION

    Dlubal Software

    Do you often spend too long calculating cross-sections? Dlubal Software and the RSECTION stand-alone program facilitate your work by determining section properties of various cross-sections and performing a subsequent stress analysis. With the stand-alone program RSECTION, Dlubal Software provides you with a time-saving solution for the calculation of thin-walled and massive cross-sections. The program determines the section properties and performs a stress analysis. The seamless integration with the FEA software RFEM and the structural frame & truss analysis software RSTAB allows for efficient cooperation. RSECTION cross-sections are available in the RFEM and RSTAB libraries, and you can easily import the internal forces in the programs.
    Starting Price: €292.50 rent 1 month
  • 5
    RSTAB

    RSTAB

    Dlubal Software

    RSTAB is a powerful analysis and design software for 3D beam, frame, or truss structure calculations, reflecting the current state of the art and helping structural engineers meet requirements in modern civil engineering. Use the successful structural frame & truss analysis software RSTAB for your design of beam, frame, or truss structures consisting of steel, reinforced concrete, timber, aluminum, or other materials. With RSTAB, you can easily and quickly define a structural model and then calculate the internal forces, deformations, and support reactions. There are design add-ons at your side that you can use to consider the material- and standard-specific requirements.
    Starting Price: €487.50 rent 1 month
  • 6
    AxisVM

    AxisVM

    InterCAD

    The primary applications of AxisVM are in the design of buildings, and industrial and geotechnical structures. Due to its powerful finite element solver and practical modeling tools, it has also been used in bridge design, and in the design of composite structures, machines, and vehicles. Besides the basic configurations, optional design modules are available for structures made of reinforced concrete, steel, timber, and masonry members and connections. In addition, thanks to the special elements and analysis capabilities, users have successfully applied AxisVM to the design of innovative and custom structures. Reports can be created based on tables, drawings, and detailed design calculations with additional headings and text lines. Reports are auto-updating, i.e. generated based on the most current model data and results.
    Starting Price: $500 one-time payment
  • 7
    MechaniCalc

    MechaniCalc

    MechaniCalc

    MechaniCalc, developed by MechaniCalc, Inc., is a suite of web-based calculators focused on machine design and structural analysis. These calculators perform analysis with a level of detail and comprehensiveness that would be expected in industry while also being intuitive and accessible. Use these calculators to move through design and analysis cycles more quickly and with greater confidence. We provide a comprehensive suite of calculators designed to automate mechanical engineering design and analysis. Each calculator comes with thorough documentation giving instructions on use as well as validation cases to show how the results of the calculators stack up against textbook solutions to example problems. We provide detailed reference material on mechanical engineering subjects as well as the methodology behind the calculators. Unrestricted access to all calculators and other content on the site. Ability to create new materials and cross-sections for use in the calculators.
    Starting Price: $9.99 per month
  • 8
    progeBILLD MEP
    progeBILLD, professional MEP Building Services design software, includes modules for Electrical, Mechanical/Structural, and HVAC/Piping, including export of Bill of Materials information, and representation of manufacturer libraries for each industry application. progeBILLD Building Services software is very user-friendly. The program contains an intuitive, clear user interface, allowing you to begin designing without intensive software training. ProgeBILLD Mechanical/Structural is a powerful application to create mechanical and structural projects. It contains numerous libraries of standardized elements, steel profiles and other elements conforming to DIN, EN, ISO and other standards. Ready-to-use objects and commands automate the creation of details, schematics, and multi-view drawings. Thousands of industry standard bolts, screws, nuts, pins and other elements.
    Starting Price: $499 one-time payment
  • 9
    PowerPad

    PowerPad

    MasterSeries

    MasterSeries PowerPad is a complete structural analysis and design suite. It is the ideal software choice for engineers who require a wide range of design capabilities at an extremely affordable price. By bundling lite versions of the core analysis and design programs, MasterSeries PowerPad delivers a wide range of well-established programs (not pro-forma's) at less than a third of their full version price. At the heart of PowerPad is our powerful MasterFrame analysis module. This integrates directly with our steel, concrete, composite, and timber design modules to give you a seamless, fully integrated, 3D analysis and design environment. PowerPad (Student Edition) is a free version of our commercial PowerPad Plus structural analysis and design software suite. PowerPad is not a set of proformas, but lite copies of our real programs bundled together. Simple steel, concrete, and timber beam designer. Analysis of beams, trusses, plane frames, grillages and space frames.
    Starting Price: $102.50 per month
  • 10
    Home Designer

    Home Designer

    Chief Architect

    Home Designer Software is the top-rated 3D interior design, remodeling and home design software. Based on technology from Chief Architect's professional architectural software, Home Designer is made easy for DIY. Discover why Home Designer is the best home design app to visualize and design your next house project. Chief Architect software is the professional tool of choice for architects, home builders, remodelers, and interior designers. Smart building technology makes it easy to create construction drawings, floor plans, elevations, 3D renderings, and 360 panoramic renderings. Chief Architect's software is purpose‑built for residential design with building tools that can automatically generate roofs, foundations, framing, and dimensions. As you draw walls, windows, and doors, the program simultaneously creates a 3D model. These 3D models can be shared with homeowners, structural engineers or subcontractors using the 3D Viewer app.
    Starting Price: $79 one-time payment
  • 11
    Simright

    Simright

    Simright

    Simright Simulator can import a CAD model, setup and execute the structural analysis in web browser. It is designed to be very easy to use. Even you have no experience about CAE analysis, you can complete a simulation quickly. Simright Simulator can help you solve complex structural problem in many different industries online. The CAE technology can greatly reduce costs of physical experiments and help you to make wiser decisions.
  • 12
    LIRA-SAPR

    LIRA-SAPR

    LIRALAND Group

    LIRA-SAPR is comprehensive software package that benefits from BIM technology. The software is intended for analysis and design of building and mechanical engineering structures of different purposes. - Static (forces and displacements) and dynamic analyses - Selection and check for sections of steel and/or reinforced concrete (RC) structures - Preliminary drawings of steel structures as well as separate RC elements
    Starting Price: €280/month
  • 13
    SwiftComp

    SwiftComp

    AnalySwift

    SwiftComp is a revolutionary multiscale, multiphysics composite simulation code that quickly and easily delivers the accuracy of 3D FEA at the efficiency of simple engineering models. In doing so, SwiftComp reduces barriers for engineers by enabling them to model composites as easily as metals using conventional structural elements in their FEA codes (without losing accuracy while capturing all the microstructural details). SwiftComp provides unified modeling for 1D (beams), 2D (plates/shells), or 3D structures, calculating all the effective properties. Use SwiftComp either independently for virtual testing of composites or as a plug-in to power your conventional structural tools with high-fidelity composites modeling. SwiftComp can compute the best structural model for use in macroscopic structural analysis, as well as perform dehomogenization to compute the pointwise stresses in the microstructure. SwiftComp directly interfaces with ABAQUS, ANSYS.
  • 14
    VABS

    VABS

    AnalySwift

    VABS is a popular general-purpose cross-sectional analysis tool for quickly and easily computing beam properties and recovering 3D fields of composite beams, including helicopter and wind turbine blades. It is the only tool capable of rigorously decoupling an original 3D slender solid with complex microstructure into a simple engineering beam model. AnalySwift’s roots are in the aerospace industry, where its tools have been used for composite beams (helicopter rotor blades, propellers, high aspect ratio wings, wing section design), plates/shells, and 3D structures. Used for several years in the wind turbine industry, VABS delivers rapid, rigorous results when modeling wind turbine blades. SwiftComp provides additional solutions for plates/shells, and 3D structures manufactured from composites. As the automobile industry adopts a higher use of composites, opportunities increase to leverage SwiftComp and VABS to model a wide variety of structures, including beams, plates, shells, etc.
  • 15
    MiTek Structure
    Built exclusively for component manufacturers. Built for power. Built exclusively for component manufacturers, MiTek® Structure delivers the most powerful structural modeling, editing, and estimating functionality available anywhere. Formula builder feature enables designers to create or store customized formulas, group formulas into sets, scheme and apply to jobs or individual objects. Create estimates by applying formulas to modeled objects. Create and customize plan options directly from within a job file. You can include all member types in your options, from accessories to walls, and utilize option customization, such as special junction considerations for site-specific creation. Users can model a unit once and place it multiple times. Placed units maintain a link back to original units, so you can make changes in one model and selectively update the references to units.
  • 16
    Skanect

    Skanect

    Skanect

    With Skanect, capturing a full color 3D model of an object, a person or a room has never been so easy and affordable. Skanect transforms your Structure Sensor or Structure Core depth sensor into a low-cost 3D scanner able to create 3D meshes out of real scenes in a few minutes. Enter the world of 3D scanning now! Unlike existing technologies, Skanect can acquire dense 3D information about a scene at up to 30 frames per second. Just move around your Structure Sensor or Structure Core to capture a full set of viewpoints, and you will get a 3D mesh in real time. Skanect makes it easy to 3D scan different kinds of scenes by providing a set of predefined scenarios, suitable for most use cases. You can then share your models online in a few clicks, there’s no need to be a trained professional to start 3D scanning! Skanect leverages consumer-grade 3D cameras like the Structure Sensor and Structure Core, limiting the hardware cost to a fraction of previous 3D scanning solutions.
    Starting Price: $129 one-time payment
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