---
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# MODELICA: WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
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  What is Modelica?




Modelica is a non-proprietary, object-oriented language for modeling and simulating complex...

**URL:** https://www.modelon.com/what-is-modelica/
**Type:** Page
**Modified:** 2025-08-18

---

[<<Back to About Modelon](https://modelon.com/company/)

#### What is Modelica?

Modelica is a non-proprietary, object-oriented language for modeling and simulating complex physical systems. It represents mechanical, electrical, thermal, hydraulic, and control domains using reusable, mathematically governed components which allows multidisciplinary system behavior to be described, simulated, and validated in one environment.

The value of the Modelica language is that users are enabled to effectively design and operate their technical systems within any Modelica-compliant tool.

Modelon is committed to delivering on the promise of Modelica’s open-standard technologies – offering Modelica-based libraries that have been developed in close cooperation with leading enterprises to reflect industry needs and trends. Modelon will continue to prove and provide excellence in solutions for simulation-based systems design needed to serve any client.

#### WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF SWITCHING TO MODELICA?

The benefit of switching to Modelica is **efficiency**! In many modeling languages users must describe the same object in 4 or 5 different ways to get through all stages of product design. With Modelica you need only one single description. That gain in efficiency lowers the threshold of entry to introduce or improve any model-based design process, existing or newly designed.

#### Learn More

- Modelon offers expert led training courses. Attend a [Modelica course](https://modelon.com/support-learning/training/modelica-introduction/)!
- Interested in the nitty-gritty? Visit the [modelica.org website](https://www.modelica.org/) for more information on the language.

**What is Modelica used for?**

Modelica is used to model and simulate dynamic systems across multiple domains—mechanical, electrical, thermal, hydraulic, and control—so engineers can analyze system behavior and optimize designs.

**How is Modelica different from Simulink?**

Modelica is a declarative, equation-based language with standardized, reusable libraries; Simulink is a block-diagram environment. Many tools support co-simulation between them via FMI.

**Is Modelica free?**

The Modelica language and many core libraries are open and free to use. Tools that implement Modelica range from open-source (e.g., OpenModelica) to commercial solutions (e.g., Modelon Impact).

**What is the benefit of switching to Modelica?**

Efficiency and reuse. You describe system physics once with standardized components, then simulate, test, and iterate across use cases—reducing duplication and speeding development.
## Site Description

Modelon is revolutionizing the engineering design industry by offering technologies and services that enable customers to leverage system simulation. Modelon’s flagship product, Modelon Impact, is a cloud system simulation platform that helps engineers virtually design, analyze, and simulate physical systems. Our team brings deep industry expertise and is dedicated to guiding our customers in creating innovative technologies at their respective organizations. Headquartered in Lund, Sweden, Modelon is a global company with offices in Germany, India, Japan, and the United States. We believe that system simulation should be accessible to every engineer and are dedicated to being an open-standard platform company.


---
**About this site:** Modelon — Modelon is revolutionizing the engineering design industry by offering technologies and services that enable customers to leverage system simulation. Modelon’s flagship product, Modelon Impact, is a cloud system simulation platform that helps engineers virtually design, analyze, and simulate physical systems. Our team brings deep industry expertise and is dedicated to guiding our customers in creating innovative technologies at their respective organizations. Headquartered in Lund, Sweden, Modelon is a global company with offices in Germany, India, Japan, and the United States. We believe that system simulation should be accessible to every engineer and are dedicated to being an open-standard platform company.. [AI Content Index](https://www.modelon.com/llms.txt) | [Full Site Content](https://www.modelon.com/llms-full.txt) | [Entity Card](https://www.modelon.com/wp-json/bc-geodesic/v1/entity-card)

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