Comparison of system dynamics software
Introduction 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) More info AMESim , commercial C 2017 Distributed by Siemens. Modelica-models supported. Analytica , commercial, free limited version C++ 2018 Supports 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 , commercial, free Personal Learning Edition (PLE) for education, formal or not Java 2020 Supports system dynamics, agent based and discrete event modeling, allows making hybrid models. ASCEND , GNU General Public License (GPL) C 2012 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 , shareware C++, Java 2018 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. DYNAMO , no longer distributed commercially AED, Pascal 1986 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.GoldSim, 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.iMODELERProprietary, commercialJava2022Web-based using bionic concepts of changing perspectives to model collaboratively very large models and to directly transform a causal loop diagram into a system dynamics model without explicit stocks and flows or a change of look. Offering factors for processes, projects and resources to reveal dynamic constraints according to the theory of constraints (ToC). It also features Monte Carlo simulations and an algorithm for operations research to identify the optimal set of parameters to maximise a goal. Next to system dynamics it also offers qualitative modeling with a weighting of connections and analyses through matrices comparable to fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM).Insight MakerFree, AGPLJavaScript2023Insight Maker supports System Dynamics modeling and Agent-Based modeling. It supports units, custom functions, and rich diagram styling. It includes tools for model optimization, sensitivity testing, and loop identification. iThink , commercial C++, JavaScript 2018 System 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 , commercial Java (GUI), C, Maple (engine) 2017 Modelica-based system-level modeling tool. Leverages symbolic computing via tight integration with Maple. NetLogo , GPLv2 Java, Scala 2020 Agent-based modeling environment in LOGO; supports system dynamics models as a secondary feature. OpenModelica , OSMC Public License, Eclipse Public License (EPL), GNU General Public License (GPL)  C, C++, MetaModelica 2018 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. SAAM II Proprietary, commercial, academic, teaching Visual interface 2022 Uses compartmental theory to model dynamic systems. Typically used in life science problems like substance/nutrient kinetics and effects or epidemiology. se-lib , MIT License Python 2023 Open source Systems Engineering Library (se-lib) provides system dynamics and discrete event simulation. Simcad Pro Proprietary, commercial, free full featured demo Visual interface 2019 Interactive process simulation software with support for manufacturing, healthcare and supply chain. 2D and 3D visualization with VR capability Simantics System Dynamics , Eclipse Public License (EPL) Java, Modelica 2018 Free and open source system dynamics modelling software with stock and flow modelling, hierarchical models and array variables. Simile , commercial C++ 2022 Developed by Simulistics, a spin-out company from the University of Edinburgh. Simulink , commercial ? 2019 Tight integration with MATLAB Stella , commercial, limited free online version C++, JavaScript 2020 System 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 , AGPL v3 JavaScript 2022 Stochastic 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. Desktop and online versions available. Vensim , commercial, free Personal Learning Edition (PLE) for education and personal use C, C++ 2020 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 , commercial C 2011 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 , commercial ? 2020 Supports 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.
See also * List of computer simulation software
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