Best Engineering Software in Africa
View:
Compare the Top Engineering Software in Africa as of October 2026
Sort By:
What is Engineering Software in Africa?
Engineering software is software used by engineers to design, analyze and manufacture various products. It includes a wide range of applications such as CAD/CAE software, analysis tools, optimization tools, and programming tools. Engineering software can be used for a variety of tasks such as designing mechanical parts, analyzing structural stability, simulating system performance, and optimizing product designs. These applications enable engineers to optimize their designs for cost reduction and increased efficiency. Compare and read user reviews of the best Engineering software in Africa currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
-
1
MicroStation
Bentley Systems
MicroStation is the trusted CAD software purpose-built for the design, modeling, and management of global infrastructure projects. Known for its extreme scalability, MicroStation empowers engineering professionals to deliver precise 2D and 3D deliverables for projects of any size or complexity. A key differentiator is its industry-leading interoperability; users can integrate a massive variety of data types, including DWG, IFC, and SHP, without the need for risky data conversions or translations. By providing a single environment for various project elements, it ensures secure and effective deliverables across the entire project lifecycle. Whether you are an engineer, architect, or GIS professional, MicroStation provides the flexibility and power needed to turn a vision into a sustainable reality while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity.Starting Price: $1,208 per year -
2
ActCAD Software
Jytra Technology Solutions
ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical,AutomotiveStarting Price: $249.00/one-time/user -
3
Altium Develop
Altium
Altium Develop helps engineering teams collaborate across the entire electronics development lifecycle. Built on Altium Designer and Altium 365, the platform combines PCB design, requirements management, BOM management, version control, and engineering collaboration in a shared cloud workspace. Teams can connect design decisions, project history, component data, supply chain insights, and manufacturing information to improve traceability and decision-making. Altium Develop enables engineers to design, review, manage, and release products more efficiently while maintaining visibility across cross-functional development processes.Starting Price: $1990/year -
4
OrCAD X
Cadence Design Systems
OrCAD® X is a unified PCB design software platform that offers significant improvements in ease of use, performance, automation, data management, and collaboration. Our cloud-enabled product suite contains applications for schematic, simulation, and PCB layout. OrCAD X Capture is one of the most widely used schematic design solutions for the creation and documentation of electrical circuits. PSpice® is our virtual SPICE simulation environment integrated within Capture that allows you to prototype your designs using the industry-leading, native analog, mixed-signal, and advanced analysis engines to deliver a complete circuit simulation and verification solution. Our two PCB layout environments, OrCAD X PCB Editor and OrCAD X Presto, allow designers to easily collaborate between ECAD/MCAD teams and build better PCBs faster. OrCAD X Presto is a new user-friendly option offering a simpler interface for quick-turn PCB design.Starting Price: $107 USD/month -
5
Lucidchart
Lucid Software
Lucidchart is an advanced diagramming tool designed to help businesses and teams optimize their processes, systems, and workflows with intelligent, data-driven diagrams. The platform combines powerful AI features, such as AI-generated diagrams, data linking, and real-time collaboration, to make visualizing complex systems and architectures faster and more efficient. Lucidchart supports multiple use cases, including process maps, flowcharts, technical diagrams, organizational charts, and systems planning. Its seamless integrations with popular apps like Jira, Confluence, Slack, and Teams allow for enhanced collaboration, enabling teams to align on priorities and act on insights quickly. Lucidchart is the perfect tool for anyone looking to create professional diagrams in less time, while fostering better decision-making and innovation.Starting Price: $7.95/month/user -
6
MATLAB
The MathWorks
MATLAB® combines a desktop environment tuned for iterative analysis and design processes with a programming language that expresses matrix and array mathematics directly. It includes the Live Editor for creating scripts that combine code, output, and formatted text in an executable notebook. MATLAB toolboxes are professionally developed, rigorously tested, and fully documented. MATLAB apps let you see how different algorithms work with your data. Iterate until you’ve got the results you want, then automatically generate a MATLAB program to reproduce or automate your work. Scale your analyses to run on clusters, GPUs, and clouds with only minor code changes. There’s no need to rewrite your code or learn big data programming and out-of-memory techniques. Automatically convert MATLAB algorithms to C/C++, HDL, and CUDA code to run on your embedded processor or FPGA/ASIC. MATLAB works with Simulink to support Model-Based Design. -
7
BricsCAD
Bricsys
BricsCAD the first all-in-one CAD design solution in .dwg that answers all your needs; 2D drafting, 3D modeling, mechanical design, and BIM. The BricsCAD® family of products brings a cost-effective, multi-platform CAD solution to Windows, macOS, and Linux. BricsCAD is available as a permanent/perpetual license, for networked or stand-alone computers. You can also add All-In Maintenance for ease of keeping up-to-date. • BricsCAD® is available on a rental (a.k.a. “Subscription”) plan if you wish. • Familiarity for other CAD users and full LISP support can help reduce a new BricsCAD® users’ learning curve to a day or less. • Advanced multi-threading takes advantage of today’s high-performance processor chips • Innovative machine learning tools increase drawing accuracy while saving time • The small install footprint and high performance of BricsCAD® point to our constant focus on quality and modern software design.Starting Price: $330/user/year -
8
Designcenter Solid Edge
Siemens
Designcenter Solid Edge is a Siemens product development portfolio that provides tools for mechanical design, electrical design, simulation, manufacturing, technical publications, data management, and collaboration. It combines the speed of direct modeling with the control of parametric design through synchronous technology. The software helps teams create 2D drawings, 3D models, electrical systems, simulations, manufacturing outputs, 3D printing workflows, and technical documentation. Designcenter Solid Edge is designed to be affordable, easy to learn, and scalable for different product development needs. It supports faster design changes, reuse of supplier CAD parts, realistic 3D modeling, and collaboration across engineering and manufacturing teams. With its complete portfolio of connected tools, Designcenter Solid Edge helps companies bring better products to market more efficiently.Starting Price: $75/month/user -
9
ideCAD One AEC
ideYAPI
ideCAD One AEC is an Integrated multidisciplinary BIM Software for Architecture, Structural Engineering, and Detailing with Building Information Modeling (BIM). The Integrated Package provides Structural Engineers, Architects, and detailers with Integrated BIM, AEC, and CAD tools that support projects from early-stage design to construction. Create high-quality, high-performing Architectural and structural design with integrated design tools. Optimize projects with integrated Structural analysis, Steel design, Concrete design, Connection design, visualization, and simulation tools. Improve predictability in the field with integrated tools that maximize constructability and project coordination. Accelerate design processes and improve quality with integrated workflows for integrated design, modeling, multidiscipline coordination, and construction documentation.Starting Price: $3,800 per year -
10
Newforma
Newforma
Newforma empowers over 4M professionals and 1,500 AECO firms worldwide by revolutionizing Project Information Management. We transform vast amounts of project data into a meticulously organized, easily accessible, and fully searchable resource—all from a single, centralized platform. From pre-construction to years after completion, Newforma ensures you have the critical information you need at every stage of your projects. With over 50 integrations with the industry's most widely used applications and two decades of expertise, Newforma is your trusted partner in elevating project delivery through unparalleled information management. -
11
Tagsight
Tagsight Technologies
Tagsight is the system of record for engineering data. It reads your drawing set into the instrument index, I/O list, equipment list, line list, and valve list a project runs on. It reads P&IDs, single-line diagrams, loop diagrams, datasheets, and cable and junction-box schedules. Scanned sheets and CAD-exported PDFs read the same way. Every tag is classified to the standard the drawing already uses, whether that is ISA 5.1, KKS, IEC 81346, NORSOK, DIN 19227, or an operator-house convention. An engineer confirms or corrects each read before anything leaves the tool. The register is reviewed, not assumed. Tagsight exports to Excel, CSV, TIA Portal XML for Siemens S7, Rockwell L5X for Studio 5000, PLCCreator, DEXPI, JSON, and annotated PDF. It compares revisions so a Management of Change review shows only what changed. A REST API and an MCP server connect it to the rest of the toolchain. -
12
ESPRIT
Hexagon AB
With powerful programming, accurate simulation, and machine-optimized G-code, ESPRIT delivers a large-scale impact driving CNC machines more efficiently and fully utilizing machine capabilities. With ESPRIT, programming is simplified and machine utilization goes up, while both setup and cycle times drop. Backed by world-class technical support, ESPRIT is the right choice for any industrial application, from job shop work to large-scale heavy equipment manufacturing. Do you edit your G-code? How much time does it take? Does your machine keep alarming out during the test run? Have you ever crashed your machines with CAM-generated G-code? If these problems sound familiar to you, we've got four reasons why ESPRIT® can make your life as a CNC programmer much easier. ESPRIT is always in motion. Browse product announcements, company updates, and more. Our extensive partnerships with top industry names ensure you get the most from your machine. -
13
FreeCAD
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters. FreeCAD allows you to sketch geometry constrained 2D shapes and use them as a base to build other objects. It contains many components to adjust dimensions or extract design details from 3D models to create high quality production ready drawings. FreeCAD is a multiplatfom (Windows, Mac and Linux), highly customizable and extensible software. It reads and writes to many open file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, making it possible to seamlessly integrate it into your workflow. FreeCAD is designed to fit a wide range of uses including product design, mechanical engineering and architecture. Whether you are a hobbyist, a programmer, an experienced CAD user, a student or a teacher, you will feel right at home with FreeCAD. -
14
SOLIDWORKS
Dassault Systèmes
SOLIDWORKS is the industry-standard 3D CAD and product development solution, trusted by millions of designers and engineers worldwide. For over 30 years, SOLIDWORKS has empowered innovators to transform ideas into real, manufacturable products through intuitive modeling, simulation, and collaboration tools. The 2026 release introduces groundbreaking capabilities including AI-powered drawing automation, fastener recognition, and the AURA AI virtual companion. Integrated with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, it enables seamless cloud collaboration and data-driven decision-making. From startups to global manufacturers, users rely on SOLIDWORKS to accelerate design cycles, improve accuracy, and reduce time to market. It’s the complete ecosystem for taking any product from concept to production. -
15
Onshape
PTC
Onshape is a cloud-native CAD and PDM system designed to help product development teams design, collaborate, and manage data from any device. It runs in a browser or mobile app, eliminating the need for installations, upgrades, or local hardware requirements. The platform includes professional CAD tools, built-in product data management, real-time collaboration, branching and merging, version control, and a complete audit trail. Onshape helps teams avoid common desktop CAD issues such as crashes, corrupted files, file syncing problems, and outdated software versions. It supports distributed engineering teams by allowing users to work securely from different locations without emailing files or managing duplicate copies. With frequent updates, education options, startup programs, and integrations such as the Onshape Altium Connector, Onshape gives designers and manufacturers a modern way to build products faster.Starting Price: $125.00/month/user -
16
HydroCAD
HydroCAD Software Solutions
HydroCAD Stormwater Modeling provides easy TR-20, TR-55, SBUH, and Rational hydrology, plus TC calculations, pond storage, outlet hydraulics, pump routing, underground storage, pollutant loading, and more. Special features include direct CAD import, dam breach routing, skimmers, tubes, siphons, local rainfall data import, and a constantly expanding chamber library. Interactive graphical environment is fast and intuitive, producing better results in less time on every project.Starting Price: $295.00 -
17
MatDeck
LabDeck
MatDeck is a universal, technical software for Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Coding, Databases and many other uses. Our software offers a complete Python IDE; thousands of mathematical functions; a drag and drop GUI Designer and various visualization tools, all embedded within a cutting-edge, live document for an inexpensive and professional computing environment.Starting Price: Free -
18
AHED (Advanced Heat Exchanger Design)
HRS Heat Exchangers
HRS-AHED is a new software solution for the calculation of shell and tube heat exchangers featuring fluids and mixing assistant, sensible heat / condensation calculations, single pass and multi pass units, with or w/o baffles and many more features: fluid database, customizable geometries, project sharing, batch calculation, vibration analysis, reporting, and much more. To ensure the best calculation results, the we have conducted a thorough search through scientific literature to make sure the best and most recent methods for calculation in heat transfer engineering are used in our software. Many heat exchanger projects have been designed successfully with AHED, making it an industrially proven software solution.Starting Price: €50/3months/user -
19
eZWalker Review
DMS Co., Ltd.
eZWalker Review, a 3D model visualization and collaboration software for engineering and construction projects, has a embedded XRE rendering core with independent IPR, which can seamlessly analyze various 3D system data of plants (PIM), buildings (BIM), machinery and etc.. The extreme lightweight capabilities for engineering models and data can meet various industrial customization purposes such as project visualization collaboration among the EPC general contractors, 3D model review by the designer, construction simulation by the constructor, visualization operation and maintenance training by the owner, etc., and can meet the platform requirements for the visualization management of the full lifecycle of digital assets to help owners achieve the goals of smart manufacturing and industry 4.0. At the same time, it can realize the synchronization of cloud data with PIMCenter, the full lifecycle information management platform for plant assets, which is independently developed by DMS.Starting Price: $9999/perpetual License -
20
Simcenter Simsolid
Siemens
Simcenter Simsolid is a Siemens simulation and structural analysis tool that helps designers and engineers analyze fully featured CAD assemblies without geometry simplification or meshing. By removing two of the most time-consuming steps in traditional FEA, it allows teams to validate structural performance much faster. The software can handle large and complex assemblies, including models with rough contact surfaces, gaps, or overlapping geometry. Simcenter Simsolid delivers accurate results in seconds to minutes on a standard PC, making it useful for rapid design comparison and simulation-driven development. It supports a wide range of analysis types, including linear and nonlinear statics, thermal analysis, modal analysis, fatigue analysis, dynamic simulations, buckling, composites, and random response. With CAD interoperability, advanced connections, materials, boundary conditions, and visualization tools, Simcenter Simsolid helps teams bring better products to market faster. -
21
PlusSpec
RubySketch
PlusSpec is the most powerful, affordable and easy to learn 3D BIM/Virtual Design Construction & Estimating software for the Design & Construction Industry. From Design & Sales to Estimating & Procurement, PlusSpec offers one integrated solution created to help you become more efficient & profitable. PlusSpec has been made for people who are low on time, and we’ve included the support you need so you can quickly master the software. The only BIM software you can actually design with. Immerse your clients in 3D and sell your designs. Create professional 2D drawings. Manage client budgets. Develop stronger relationships with stakeholders. PlusSpec will allow you to do more than just quantify. Quote Fast. End Error and Oversight. Visualize Risk & Complexity. Transform the way you Communicate. Deliver more than just a Paper Quote. Whether you are Designing & Drafting, or Estimating & Building (or both), specifying products is a key part of the process.Starting Price: $990 per year -
22
Envision evCreator
Canvas GFX
Envision evCreator is a powerful graphics application* combining 2D drawing and image editing with 3D model handling for creating technical illustrations, product visualizations, animations, charts, text and more. The evCreator handles the preparation of every visual asset you need to add to your instructional content - as well as the creation of end-to-end documents. Envision evCreator gives technical creatives the autonomy to work with 2D graphics, images and 3D CAD models in a single, intuitive application. No more switching between different apps for different uses, and no more delays caused by reliance on engineering teams for 3D model screenshots. 2D drawing, 3D CAD, and vector graphics in a single, easy to use application: - Image editing - 3D CAD visualization - Flow charts and process diagrams - Animation with text to speech - Smart annotation & dimension tools - Charts, tables, symbols - Export to JPG, PNG, PDF, MP4, and more -
23
h2x Engineering
h2x Engineering
h2x Engineering offers a user-friendly software solution to the traditional manual, tedious, and time-consuming design and calculation engineering tasks. Set up your project, add your required equipment, review the results, and export to PDF, AutoCAD, Revit, and more. -
24
IronCAD
IronCAD
IronCAD significantly reduces manufacturing barriers and increases engineering productivity with intuitive 3D and 2D solutions for rapid design and seamless collaboration enterprise-wide. Create design iterations, proposals, and production drawings in less time and simply design faster than any other CAD system available today. What makes us different? IronCAD lets you design intuitively in the way you interact in the world, in 3D. With this easier and faster design approach over traditional CAD software, it’s a fundamentally better way to design. IronCAD gives you the speed to invent the future, with time left to watch it unfold. Skip repetitive steps so you can get to market faster, ahead of your competitors, and with far more return on your investment. -
25
SpinFire Enterprise
Actify
SpinFire Enterprise gives your entire organization a uniform way to view, interrogate, and translate CAD files. It’s the same SpinFire technology automotive manufacturers have trusted for more than 15 years, now available in a revolutionary all-access format. With an intuitive interface available in more than 10 languages, SpinFire Enterprise lets anyone leave feedback, change requests, and annotate on CAD files. Share models across internal and external teams with multi-CAD support. SpinFire Enterprise covers all your CAD-sharing needs, and works at the office, at home, and on the road. When managers, salespeople, marketers, and vendors can actually see the parts you make, everything changes. SpinFire Enterprise transforms organizations by putting pictures to part numbers. -
26
Electric P8
EPLAN Software and Services
EPLAN Electric P8 is a consistent, integrated and fast engineering system for you to plan and design the electrical engineering for machines and plant systems. The software supports 2D computer aided engineering and a wide variety of engineering methods: from manual creation to standardized and template-based approaches. The project data, once entered into the schematic, becomes the foundation for the automated completion of machine and plant system documentation. In short, EPLAN Electric P8 electrical design software offers you much more than “just” drawing schematics and circuit diagrams. EPLAN Electric P8 automatically generates detailed evaluations for you as an integral component of the project documentation – either on an ongoing basis or combined after project completion, as required. Downstream process steps then get all the necessary information from engineering: from integrated planning to manufacturing, commissioning, maintenance and repair. -
27
nTop Platform
nTopology
Engineering software built for digital manufacturing The way we build parts has changed. Your engineering software needs to change too. A unifying technique for design, simulation, and manufacturing data. The nTop Platform approach removes geometry bottlenecks in design by achieving more efficient workflows, dramatically improving team collaboration with faster iteration, enabling smarter, more complex designs to meet performance demands. By utilizing nTop Platform’s breakthrough computational modeling techniques, design teams can process and evaluate more design concepts than ever before. Find the most optimal solution in a shorter amount of time. At nTopology we know that your engineering know-how is the most valuable asset in your organization. nTop Platform makes that know-how accessible, shareable and, most importantly, secure across your entire organization. -
28
VEERUM
VEERUM
The application is easy to deploy and is up and running in 48 hours. No specialized hardware or software is required. Optimize the investments you’ve made in other technologies and data sources. VEERUM is customizable and allows for seamless integration with existing digital platforms. Share with unlimited users, including third-party contractors. Accelerated ability to unlock the value of your existing data. With VEERUM Smart Site, you can integrate data sources to enrich the visual model of an asset. You determine the sources of information and create a customized solution. Common information sources include Maximo, SAP, OSI Pi, document management systems, real-time IoT devices, and many others. Enrich your organization's visual data by unifying all of your existing asset information in the context of a 3D viewer. Visualize the latest CAD designs, reality scans, and 2D plot plans in the same viewer to verify site conditions. -
29
Flux
Flux
Flux is browser-based PCB design software (EDA) with an AI hardware design assistant. It combines schematic capture, PCB layout, routing, simulation, and design rule checks in one workspace. Describe a circuit in plain language to generate a schematic, then refine it in the editor. AI helps research parts, place components, route traces, and review designs. Engineers set constraints and approve the final board. Teams edit projects together in real time, share comments, manage permissions, and reuse community parts and designs. Live component pricing and availability support sourcing. Export Gerber, BOM, and pick-and-place files for manufacturing. Import Altium ASCII and Cadence EDIF schematics or KiCad component libraries; these imports do not include PCB layouts. Flux runs in a web browser without a desktop installation. A 14-day trial includes limited AI usage. Paid plans are required afterward for private-project editing/export and AI.Starting Price: $50/month (billed monthly)
- Previous
- You're on page 1
- Next
