Comparison of system dynamics software: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|None}}

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

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|-

| [[Berkeley Madonna]]

| {{Proprietary}}, [[shareware]]commercial

| 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.

|-

| [[VentityDymola]]

| {{Proprietary}}, commercial, free academic version

| C++ et al.

| 2024

| A modeling and simulation environment based on the Modelica modeling language, also supporting the [[Functional Mock-up Interface|FMI]], eFMI and SSP standards. Uses symbolic equation processing to generate efficient simulation code.

|-

| [[DYNAMO (programming language)|DYNAMO]]

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|{{Proprietary}}, commercial

|C++

|2022

|2019

|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.

|-

|[https://www.know-why.net/ iMODELER]

|webbased, commercial

|Java

|2021

|iMODELER uses causal loop diagrams for qualitative modeling with matrix analysis, system dynamics modeling, and process modeling. It allows for collaborative modeling.

|-

|[https://insightmaker.com/ Insight Maker]

|Free, Insight Maker Public License (GPL adjusted)

|JavaScript

|2021

|Insight Maker supports System Dynamics modeling: a powerful method for exploring systems on an aggregate level. It is 100% browser based with an open support group using Google mail list.

|-

| [[iThink]]

| {{Proprietary}}, commercial

| C++, JavascriptJavaScript

| 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.

|-

| LunaSim

|[https://ncase.me/loopy/ LOOPY]

| {{Free}}, open-source

|Free, CC Zero license

| JavaScript

| 2025

|2019

| Open-source, web-based system dynamics simulation platform designed to make modeling accessible to students and educators anywhere. Provides an online alternative for simulation that can be accessed from any computer with a standard browser. <ref>{{Citation |title=LunaSim |date=2025-10-01 |url=https://proceedings.systemdynamics.org/2024/papers/P1049.pdf |access-date=2025-07-01 |publisher=System Dynamics Society}}</ref>

|A tool for thinking in systems. Users draw circles and lines to build an interactive simulation of a complex system.

|-

| [[MapleSim]]

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| {{Free}}, OSMC Public License, [[Eclipse Public License]] (EPL), [[GNU General Public License]] (GPL)

| C, C++, MetaModelica

| 20182024

| [[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 [https://github.com/modelica-3rdparty/SystemDynamics System Dynamics library], which is exclusively based on modeling signal flows, there is a free [https://github.com/modelica-3rdparty/BusinessSimulation Business Simulation Library (BSL)] dedicated to System Dynamics, which makes use of Modelica's acausal connectors to account for transitions of conserved matter.

|-

| PathSim

|[https://www.powersim.com/ Powersim Studio]

| {{Free}}, [[ApacheMIT License]] (v2)

|Proprietary, commercial, free limited version

| Python

|C++

| 2024

|2018

| Open source dynamical system simulation framework in the block-diagram paradigm. Discrete event handling.

|Supports system dynamics; building graphical diagrams using stocks and flow, including delays and feedback for non-linear models. Supports units, multi-dimensions running scenario simulations and Monte Carlo simulations.

|-

| [[SAAM II]]

| [https://silico.app Silico]

| Proprietary, commercial, freeacademic, online versionteaching

| Visual interface

| Rust, Javascript

| 20202022

| Uses compartmental theory to model dynamic systems. Typically used in life science problems like substance/nutrient kinetics and effects or epidemiology.

| System dynamics with some discrete event and agent-based capabilities. Web-based modelling with drag and drop user interface makes it easy to publish and share. Extensive data integrations and model export as code targeting R, Python, C, Rust, Javascript for Data Science workflows.

|-

| se-lib

| {{Free}}, MIT License

| Python

| 2023

| Open source Systems Engineering Library (se-lib) provides system dynamics and discrete event simulation.

|-

| Silico Dynamic simulation platform

| Proprietary, commercial, free limitedto use for public versionprojects

| Visual interface

| C#?

| Web-based interactive system dynamics modeling platform

|-

| [[Simcad Pro]]

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| 2018

| Free and open source system dynamics modelling software with stock and flow modelling, hierarchical models and array variables.

|-

| [https://simlin.com Simlin]

| {{Free}}, [[Apache License]] (v2)

| Rust, Typescript

| 2021

| Browser-based system dynamics stock and flow modeling tool. A web-based version is available for un-restricted use and both the editor, engine, and diagram drawing components are embeddable by other web sites and Javascript-based applications.

|-

| [[Simulink]]

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| 2019

| Tight integration with [[MATLAB]]

|-

| [https://statsim.com StatSim]

| {{Free}}, open-source

| [[JavaScript]], [[WebAssembly]], WebPPL

| 2020

| Free web app for statistical simulations and system dynamics modelling. Supports model fitting with Bayesian inference and mathematical optimization.

|-

| [[STELLA (programming language)|Stella]]

| {{Proprietary}}, commercial, limited free online version

| C++, JavascriptJavaScript

| 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.

|-

| [https://stochsd.sourceforge.io/ [StochSD]]

| {{Free}}, [[GNU Affero General Public License|AGPL v3]]

| JavaScript

| Javascript

| 20212022

| Stochastic and deterministic modelling and simulation based on the System Dynamics approach to [[Continuous simulation|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.

| StochSD ({{underline|Stoch}}astic {{underline|S}}ystem {{underline|D}}ynamics) is an extension of Continuous System Simulation (CSS) that in addition to model and simulate continuous flows between compartments, can handle transitions of discrete entities. Also combined continuous and discrete models can be constructed within the CSS concept. Stochasticity often plays a crucial role in such modelling.

Tools for Sensitivity Analysis, Optimization and Statistical Analysis are parts of StochSD. In particular, StochSD includes features for stochastic modelling and post analysis of multiple simulations followed by presentation of the results in statistical form. StochSD is available as Web-application and offline for Windows, Mac and Linux.

|-

|[https://www.true-world.com/htm/en/index.html TRUE]

|Free, proprietary

|Wlanguage

|2019

|The System Dynamics software TRUE (Temporal Reasoning Universal Elaboration), developed by True-World System Dynamics, is a tool for modeling, simulating, analyzing and optimizing multidomain dynamic applications

|-

| [[Vensim]]

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| 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.

|-

| [[Ventity]]

| {{Proprietary}}, commercial, free academic version

| C#

| 2019

| Entity-based simulation, supporting classic SD as well as detailed and agent simulations with dynamic creation of structure, ad hoc data and sparse matrices. Collaboration and source control friendly. Continuous simulation with stocks and flows and discrete event actions between time steps. Time series and initialization data import and export, with calibration optimization sensitivity simulation. Graphical model construction and interface. Geospatial viewer for GIS-based simulation.

|-

| [[VisSim]]

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|}

:L.{{Note|NoteL}}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.<ref>{{Citation |title=mxGraph |date=2023-08-23 |url=https://github.com/jgraph/mxgraph |access-date=2023-08-24 |publisher=JGraph}}</ref>

:L.{{Note|NoteL}}Graphing library MxGraph is licensed separately under paid commercial licence

==See also==

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{{reflist}}

[[Category:SoftwareNetwork software comparisons|System dynamics]]

[[Category:Systems theory]]