Every WPT coil tool, compared.
AirInduct Sim is a browser-based wireless power coil simulator built on closed-form Biot–Savart physics. Here is how it compares with the 20 tools engineers most often weigh it against — including where each of them is the better choice.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Head-to-head comparisons
Start here if you are choosing between the big tools, not just looking for an alternative to one.
AirInduct Sim vs the most-searched tools
A summary of the six tools we are asked about most. Each alternative page below has the full table and an honest verdict.
| Criterion | AirInduct Sim | Ansys Maxwell | COMSOL | CENOS | SimScale | FEMM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solver method | Closed-form Biot–Savart + Neumann, no mesh | FEM | FEM | FEM | Mesh-based, in the cloud | FEM, 2D |
| 3D | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No — planar / axisymmetric |
| Install | None (browser), iOS, Android | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop | None (browser) | Desktop (Windows) |
| Licence / price model | Free plan + Pro subscription | Commercial, quote-based | Commercial, quote-based | Commercial, quote-based (Siemens) | Paid plans; free Community plan (public projects) | Free (Aladdin Free Public Licence) |
| Ferrite, shields, eddy currents | Not modelled (air-core) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (2D) |
| Time to first result | Seconds, from a preset | Minutes–hours | Minutes–hours | Minutes | Minutes, incl. meshing | Minutes |
| WPT presets and L, M, k output | 8 topologies; L, M, k every run | Build your own | Build your own | WPT-focused templates | Build your own | Build your own |
| AI assistance | AI Copilot runs the solver; MCP server | Engineering Copilot | Chatbot (6.3+) | — | — | — |
Competitor details are taken from public vendor pages and documentation, last reviewed October 2026. Product names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify them. AirInduct is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any of these vendors.
Commercial low-frequency FEM suites
Finite element tools that model ferrite, shielding and losses. The usual home for production validation.
Ansys Maxwell alternative
Low-frequency FEM suite, now part of Synopsys.
COMSOL Multiphysics alternative
General multiphysics FEM with the AC/DC Module.
CENOS (Siemens) alternative
Guided desktop FEM for wireless charging and induction heating.
JMAG-Designer alternative
Motor and actuator FEM from JSOL.
Altair Flux alternative
Low-frequency FEM for motors, transformers and sensors.
Simcenter MagNet alternative
Siemens low-frequency FEM, formerly Infolytica MagNet.
EMWorks EMS alternative
CAD-centred FEM electromagnetics, now also standalone.
SimScale alternative
Cloud CAE platform with electromagnetics analysis types.
High-frequency and full-wave solvers
Tools built for antennas, RF, EMC and tissue exposure. Powerful, but most of their machinery is not needed for kHz–MHz coil sizing.
Ansys HFSS alternative
Full-wave 3D FEM for antennas and RF.
CST Studio Suite alternative
Dassault Systèmes 3D EM suite, strongest at high frequency.
Altair Feko alternative
MoM-based solver for antennas and radiation.
Sim4Life alternative
ZMT platform for EM exposure in human models.
openEMS alternative
Open-source EC-FDTD full-wave solver.
MEEP alternative
MIT open-source FDTD, built for photonics.
Free, 2D and open-source options
Where many engineers and students start. Strong for axisymmetric problems or for anyone happy to script and mesh.
FEMM alternative
Free 2D / axisymmetric magnetics FEM for Windows.
QuickField alternative
Fast 2D FEM package with a free Student Edition.
Elmer FEM alternative
Open-source multiphysics FEM from CSC Finland.
FastHenry alternative
Free MIT inductance extractor driven by text netlists.
Coil32 alternative
Free single-coil inductance calculator.
Maxwell SV alternative
The retired free student edition of Maxwell.
When AirInduct Sim is the right call
You are designing air-core wireless power coils, typically in the 85 kHz–13.56 MHz range, and want inductance, mutual inductance and coupling in seconds rather than after a meshing session: SAE J2954-style EV pad studies, implant power links, IoT charging, coursework and design reviews. AirInduct Sim is free to start — the free plan covers the Helmholtz topology with 3 simulations a month, and AirInduct Pro unlocks every topology, the AI Copilot and unlimited runs (see pricing).
When you should reach for FEM
Ferrite tiles, metal shields, eddy-current loss, thermal coupling, radiated emissions and tissue exposure all need a finite element or full-wave solver. AirInduct Sim exports DXF, KiCad, SPICE and PDF so the coil you pick carries straight into that next step. See how the solver is validated.
Skip the install. Solve the coil.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Ansys Maxwell alternative for wireless power coil design?
For early-stage air-core coil design, AirInduct Sim returns inductance, mutual inductance and coupling in seconds in a browser. For ferrite pads, shielding and loss, COMSOL or another FEM suite is the real alternative to Maxwell.
Is AirInduct Sim free?
It is free to start. The free plan covers the Helmholtz topology with 3 simulations a month; AirInduct Pro unlocks every topology, the AI Copilot and unlimited runs. See the pricing page for current plans.
Does AirInduct Sim replace FEM tools like COMSOL or CENOS?
Not for everything. It is a closed-form air-core solver, so it does not model ferrite, shields or eddy currents. Most teams use it to narrow the design space quickly, then validate the chosen coil in a FEM tool.
Which free tools can simulate WPT coils?
FEMM is free for 2D and axisymmetric problems, Elmer and openEMS are open source, and Ansys Electronics Desktop Student is free for education. AirInduct Sim has a free plan for 3D Helmholtz coil simulations in the browser.
How were these comparisons made?
From public vendor product pages, documentation and licence terms, reviewed in October 2026. We avoid quoting competitor prices that are not published, and each page lists where the other tool is the better choice.