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Carlson Software vs COMSOL Multiphysics

Carlson Software logo

Carlson Software

CAD

Survey and civil design CAD sold as a perpetual licence with optional maintenance

From
$4450/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
COMSOL Multiphysics logo

COMSOL Multiphysics

CAD

Finite element simulation built around coupling physics, with add-on modules licensed separately

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Carlson Software the perpetual licence is a larger upfront cost than a first-year subscription, which is harder to approve for a practice with tight cash flow even though it is cheaper over five years.; COMSOL Multiphysics the base licence covers very little on its own and nearly every practical problem needs one or more add-on modules, each priced separately, so the quoted total is typically a multiple of the headline base figure.
  • They diverge on capability: Carlson Software covers Survey data reduction, COMSOL Multiphysics covers Coupled multiphysics solving.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Carlson Software and COMSOL Multiphysics actually diverge.

Attributes where Carlson Software and COMSOL Multiphysics differ
AttributeCarlson SoftwareCOMSOL Multiphysics
Starting price$4450/one-timeOn request
Pricing modelOne-time purchasequote
PlatformsWindowsWindows, Linux, macOS

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (CAD).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Carlson Software

  • Survey data reduction
  • Civil design
  • Hydrology
  • GIS module
  • Earthwork takeoff
  • IntelliCAD engine included
  • AutoCAD compatibility
  • SurvCE field software

Only in COMSOL Multiphysics

  • Coupled multiphysics solving
  • Equation-based modelling
  • Add-on module library
  • Application Builder
  • COMSOL Compiler and Server
  • CAD import and LiveLink
  • Parametric sweeps and optimisation
  • Cluster and cloud computing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Carlson Software

  • A small surveying practice that wants to stop paying an annual Civil 3D subscription and own its CAD outrightnot COMSOL Multiphysics
  • A firm running mixed instrument brands in the field that needs data collector software not tied to one manufacturernot COMSOL Multiphysics
  • A civil consultancy doing road, site grading and stormwater design without needing an enterprise BIM environmentnot COMSOL Multiphysics
  • A land development office that renews maintenance only in years when a release actually adds something it needsnot COMSOL Multiphysics

COMSOL Multiphysics

  • Modelling a device where physics are strongly coupled, such as induction heating that changes material properties which change the fieldnot Carlson Software
  • Research work needing custom partial differential equations that no packaged solver in a mainstream tool providesnot Carlson Software
  • Packaging a validated model as an app so process engineers can run studies without learning the simulation toolnot Carlson Software
  • A department wanting shared concurrent access via a Floating Network Licence, with cluster runs at no extra licence costnot Carlson Software

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Carlson Software

  • The perpetual licence is a larger upfront cost than a first-year subscription, which is harder to approve for a practice with tight cash flow even though it is cheaper over five years.
  • It is Windows only, so a practice on macOS has to run virtualisation, and there is no browser or mobile design client.
  • Carlson is a smaller ecosystem than Autodesk, so hiring staff who already know it is harder and training time is a real cost when a new surveyor joins.
  • Skipping maintenance saves money but leaves you on an old release, and when a client eventually sends a file from a much newer version the compatibility gap becomes your problem to solve.
  • Pricing is largely sold through resellers with figures varying by dealer and region, so the published $4,450 Civil Suite price is a reference point rather than a firm quote.

COMSOL Multiphysics

  • The base licence covers very little on its own and nearly every practical problem needs one or more add-on modules, each priced separately, so the quoted total is typically a multiple of the headline base figure.
  • Perpetual licences renew maintenance at 20% of the then-current price each year, and because that percentage applies to the whole module stack the annual bill grows as your module list does and as list prices rise.
  • No pricing at all is published, so procurement cannot benchmark or budget without a sales engagement, and comparisons against Ansys or SolidWorks Simulation are effectively impossible before that point.
  • Named Single-User and CPU-locked licences do not share, so a team of six that bought individual licences ends up with idle seats while a Floating Network Licence would have covered them, and switching licence type is a commercial renegotiation.
  • Solving strongly coupled systems is memory hungry and slow, and models that look modest in the GUI routinely need tens of gigabytes of RAM, so hardware cost is a real and often underestimated part of adoption.

Pricing, plan by plan

Carlson Software

$4450/one-time
  • Civil Suite$4450/one-time
    • Survey, Civil, Hydrology and GIS modules
    • Perpetual licence
    • IntelliCAD engine included
  • Individual modules$undefined/one-time
    • Survey, Civil, Hydrology, GIS or Takeoff purchased separately
    • Perpetual licence
    • Pricing varies by module and reseller
  • Annual maintenance$undefined/year
    • Approximately 10 per cent of purchase price
    • Optional, software continues running without it
    • Provides version updates and support

COMSOL Multiphysics

On request
  • COMSOL Multiphysics base licence$undefined/year
    • CPU-locked, Named Single-User or Floating Network licence types
    • Perpetual or term licensing
    • Perpetual includes updates and support for 12 months, then renews at 20% of current price
  • Academic licences$undefined/year
    • Class Kit Licence for up to 30 concurrent users per class
    • Academic Server Licence for up to 300 concurrent app users
    • Quote through the academic sales channel

Which should you pick?

Choose Carlson Software if

  • You need survey data reduction.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want civil design.
Carlson Software review

Choose COMSOL Multiphysics if

  • You need coupled multiphysics solving.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, macOS.
  • You also want equation-based modelling.
COMSOL Multiphysics review

Questions people ask

Is Carlson Software or COMSOL Multiphysics better?
Neither clearly leads. Carlson Software starts at $4450/one-time and COMSOL Multiphysics at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Carlson Software or COMSOL Multiphysics?
Carlson Software starts at $4450/one-time and COMSOL Multiphysics at On request.
Does Carlson Software or COMSOL Multiphysics run on more platforms?
Carlson Software runs on Windows. COMSOL Multiphysics runs on Windows, Linux, macOS.
What is Carlson Software best used for?
Carlson Software is most often used for a small surveying practice that wants to stop paying an annual civil 3d subscription and own its cad outright, a firm running mixed instrument brands in the field that needs data collector software not tied to one manufacturer, a civil consultancy doing road, site grading and stormwater design without needing an enterprise bim environment, a land development office that renews maintenance only in years when a release actually adds something it needs. Of those, a small surveying practice that wants to stop paying an annual civil 3d subscription and own its cad outright and a firm running mixed instrument brands in the field that needs data collector software not tied to one manufacturer are not what COMSOL Multiphysics is typically brought in for.
What can Carlson Software do that COMSOL Multiphysics cannot?
Carlson Software covers Survey data reduction, Civil design, Hydrology, GIS module. COMSOL Multiphysics covers Coupled multiphysics solving, Equation-based modelling, Add-on module library, Application Builder.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Carlson Software: Is Carlson a perpetual licence?

Yes. You buy it once and it keeps running. Annual maintenance at roughly ten per cent is optional and only affects updates and support.

COMSOL Multiphysics: Does the base licence include CFD or structural mechanics?

Only limited capability. Serious CFD, structural, RF and acoustics work each require the relevant add-on module at extra cost.

Carlson Software: Do I need AutoCAD as well?

No. An IntelliCAD engine is included. You can alternatively run Carlson on top of AutoCAD if your practice already licenses it.

COMSOL Multiphysics: What does maintenance cost?

Perpetual licences include 12 months of updates and support, then renew at 20% of the then-current price per year.

Carlson Software: Does Carlson field software work with other brands of instrument?

Yes. SurvCE supports total stations and GNSS receivers from several manufacturers, which is one of the main reasons firms choose it.

COMSOL Multiphysics: Which licence type should a team buy?

Floating Network if more than a couple of people use it, since it shares concurrency and includes cluster and cloud computing at no extra charge.

Carlson Software: What does the Civil Suite include?

Survey, Civil, Hydrology and GIS, listed at $4,450.

COMSOL Multiphysics: Is pricing published?

No. COMSOL publishes licence types but no prices; every purchase goes through a quote.

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