Comparison of system dynamics software

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

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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

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Package name Licensing Implementation languageLast update (year)More info
AMESim Proprietary, commercialC2017Distributed by Siemens. Modelica-models supported.
Analytica Proprietary, commercial, free limited version C++ 2018Supports system dynamics, Monte Carlo simulation for uncertainty, array abstraction for handling multidimensional data, 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 2020Supports system dynamics, agent based and discrete event modeling, allows making hybrid models.
ASCEND Free, GNU General Public License (GPL) C 2012For 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, commercialC++, Java2018Developed 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.
Dymola Proprietary, commercialC++ et al.2024A modeling and simulation environment based on the Modelica modeling language, also supporting the FMI, eFMI and SSP standards. Uses symbolic equation processing to generate efficient simulation code.
DYNAMO Proprietary, no longer distributed commerciallyAED, Pascal 1986Historic DYNAMO models are often available at the MIT system dynamics website. DYNAMO software for microcomputers may be available via eBay or other resale sites.
GoldSim Proprietary, commercialC++2022Differs 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.
iThink Proprietary, commercialC++, JavaScript2018System dynamics and discrete event modeling with some agent-based capabilities. Drag and drop user interface builder allows simulations to be published online. Includes multilevel hierarchical models, reusable modules, multidimensional arrays, optimization, and Monte Carlo analysis.
MapleSim Proprietary, commercialJava (GUI), C, Maple (engine)2017 Modelica-based system-level modeling tool. Leverages symbolic computing via tight integration with Maple.
NetLogo Free, GPLv2Java, Scala 2020Agent-based modeling environment in LOGO; supports system dynamics models as a secondary feature.
OpenModelica Free, OSMC Public License, Eclipse Public License (EPL), GNU General Public License (GPL)C, C++, MetaModelica2024 Modelica-based modeling and simulation environment. Modelica is an object-oriented, declarative, multi-domain modeling language for component-oriented modeling of complex systems. Next to the free System Dynamics library, which is exclusively based on modeling signal flows, there is a free Business Simulation Library (BSL) dedicated to System Dynamics, which makes use of Modelica's acausal connectors to account for transitions of conserved matter.
PathSimFree, MIT License Python2024Open source dynamical system simulation framework in the block-diagram paradigm. Discrete event handling.
SAAM II Proprietary, commercial, academic, teachingVisual interface2022Uses compartmental theory to model dynamic systems. Typically used in life science problems like substance/nutrient kinetics and effects or epidemiology.
se-libFree, MIT LicensePython2023Open source Systems Engineering Library (se-lib) provides system dynamics and discrete event simulation.
Silico Dynamic simulation platformProprietary, commercial, free to use for public projectsVisual interface ?Web-based interactive system dynamics modeling platform
Simcad Pro Proprietary, commercial, free full featured demoVisual interface2019Interactive process simulation software with support for manufacturing, healthcare and supply chain. 2D and 3D visualization with VR capability
Simantics System Dynamics Free, Eclipse Public License (EPL)Java, Modelica 2018Free and open source system dynamics modelling software with stock and flow modelling, hierarchical models and array variables.
Simulink Proprietary, commercial ?2019Tight integration with MATLAB
Stella Proprietary, commercial, limited free online versionC++, JavaScript2020System dynamics and discrete event modeling with some agent-based capabilities. Drag and drop user interface builder in Architect versions allows simulations to be published online. Includes multilevel hierarchical models, reusable modules, multidimensional arrays, optimization, and Monte Carlo analysis.
StochSD Free, AGPL v3 JavaScript2022Stochastic and deterministic modelling and simulation based on the System Dynamics approach to Continuous System Simulation (CSS). Includes tools for optimization/parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis, and statistical analysis and presentation of results from multiple simulations of stochastic models. Based on the InsightMaker-engine, stock and flow models are constructed in a click-and-draw manner. Mainly intended for education and research where small and medium-sized CSS modelling and simulation is used.
Vensim Proprietary, commercial, free Personal Learning Edition (PLE) for education and personal useC, C++2020Continuous 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, commercialC2011Accredited 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 ?2020Supports continuous time and discrete event modeling, external C-functions, component based, hierarchical modeling, and is based on the Modelica modeling language offering a tight integration with Mathematica. Models can be exported to run as standalone applications for users without SystemModeler and the Functional Mock-up Interface can be used for model exchange and co-simulation. Next to the free System Dynamics library, which is exclusively based on modeling signal flows, there is a free Business Simulation Library (BSL) dedicated to System Dynamics, which makes use of Modelica's acausal connectors to account for transitions of conserved matter.
L. ^ The graphing library mxGraph is licensed separately under a paid commercial license. However, it's important to note that its GitHub repository was archived by its owner in 2021 and is now in a read-only state. [1]

See also

References

  1. mxGraph, JGraph, 2023-08-23, retrieved 2023-08-24