Dlubal RFEM 6
Professional finite element analysis software with member, plate, shell, and solid elements; linear and nonlinear analysis; and modular add-ons for concrete, steel, timber, and glass design.
4.0 /5 composite score
A professional-grade FEA package with transparent perpetual pricing ($5,320 base + $900/year service) and a 90-day free trial -- the perpetual license model is a genuine advantage over subscription-only tools, and Dlubal explicitly lists self-employed engineers as a target customer.
Rubric Scorecard
| Criterion | Score | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Maturity | 4/5 | 130,000+ users worldwide; RFEM 6 is the current major version with a Python gRPC API, BIM integration, and cloud calculation services; 90-day free trial available. |
| AEC Specificity | 5/5 | Full FEA capability: member, plate, wall, shell, and solid elements with linear/nonlinear and dynamic analysis; modular add-ons for concrete, steel, timber, and glass design codes. |
| Integration | 4/5 | BIM integration and Python API for automation; modular architecture allows purchasing only the design code add-ons needed; rental options (1/3/6 months) supplement perpetual licensing. |
| Value / Pricing | 3/5 | RFEM 6 main program at $5,320 USD perpetual plus $900/year Basic Service Contract -- steep upfront for a solo firm but you own the software; modular pricing avoids paying for unused code checks. |
| Evidence | 4/5 | Capterra AU listing confirmed with 5.0/5 stars from 4 verified reviews; aecplustech.com aggregator independently lists product details and pricing. |
How we verified this: we checked Dlubal RFEM 6 against its live site and an independent source — capterra.com.au. Nothing on this page is listed from memory. See how we review.
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