OpenModelica

Open-source Modelica-based modeling and simulation environment

Engineering Simulation openmodelica.org

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Founded

2007

Starting Price

Free

About OpenModelica

OpenModelica is a free, open-source environment for modeling, compiling, and simulating multi-domain physical systems written in the Modelica language. It bundles a graphical model editor (OMEdit), a compiler and simulation runtime, FMI import/export, and scripting interfaces for Python and Julia. Development is backed by the Open Source Modelica Consortium (OSMC), a non-profit founded in 2007 in Linkoping, Sweden, and the tool is used in research, teaching, and industry.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Completely free and open source, with no node-locked licenses or seat limits
Implements the open Modelica standard, so models are portable to commercial tools like Dymola
FMI export and import make it easy to couple models with other simulation tools
Scriptable through .mos scripts, Python, and Julia for repeatable studies and CI regression tests
Runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, with Docker images available
Backed by a non-profit consortium with academic and industrial members and regular releases

Cons

Compilation and simulation of large models can be slower than commercial Modelica tools
Debugging initialization and causality problems has a steep learning curve
OMEdit's GUI is less polished than commercial suites such as Dymola or Simulink
Some third-party Modelica libraries are only partially supported
No vendor SLA; support relies on community forums unless you engage a consultant

Key Features

OMEdit graphical editor

Drag-and-drop connection editor for building models from Modelica library components, with text view, plotting, and simulation setup in one window.

Modelica compiler and simulation runtime

Translates equation-based Modelica models into efficient C code and runs simulations with a choice of numerical solvers, including DASSL, IDA, and CVODE.

Modelica Standard Library support

Ships with the Modelica Standard Library covering electrical, mechanical, thermal, fluid, and control domains, plus a package manager for third-party libraries.

FMI import and export

Exports models as Functional Mock-up Units (FMI 2.0 model exchange and co-simulation) and imports FMUs from other tools for co-simulation.

OMSimulator co-simulation

Orchestrates co-simulation of multiple FMUs and SSP (System Structure and Parameterization) models.

Scripting and automation

OMShell and the .mos scripting language, plus OMPython and OMJulia interfaces, let you automate model builds, parameter sweeps, and regression testing.

Debugging and optimization tools

Includes an equation-based debugger and transformation browser for initialization and causality issues, plus dynamic optimization and parameter sensitivity analysis.