Top 10 Best Materials Selection Software of 2026

Ansys Granta Selector is the leading materials selection software that empowers engineers to identify optimal materials and processes using a vast database of over 5,500 bulk and engineering materials, 800 manufacturing processes, and comprehensive property data. It employs Ashby's proven methodology with interactive charts, performance indices, and multi-criteria decision-making tools to balance technical performance, cost, and sustainability. The software integrates seamlessly with CAD, CAE, and PLM systems, supporting informed decisions across the product lifecycle from concept to eco-design.

Total Materia is a leading web-based materials database and selection platform providing access to over 1.5 million datasheets for metals, plastics, composites, and advanced materials from thousands of global standards. It offers detailed mechanical, physical, thermal, and fatigue properties, along with advanced tools for searching, comparing, and selecting materials based on performance requirements. The software excels in cross-referencing equivalents across standards and supports integration with CAD/CAE/PLM systems for streamlined engineering workflows.

Matmatch is a web-based materials discovery platform featuring a vast database of over 200,000 engineering materials, allowing users to search, filter, and compare properties for optimal selection in design projects. It integrates supplier data, CAD downloads, and request-for-quote (RFQ) tools to streamline procurement. Ideal for industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, it bridges the gap between material data and real-world sourcing.

MatWeb (matweb.com) is a comprehensive online database offering property data, datasheets, and specifications for over 150,000 materials including metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and semiconductors. It enables users to search, compare, and select materials based on mechanical, thermal, electrical, and other properties through advanced filters and exportable data. Primarily used by engineers for quick lookups and preliminary materials selection in design and R&D.

UL Prospector is a free online platform by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) that provides extensive searchable databases of plastics, chemicals, flame retardants, and other materials tailored for product designers and engineers. It allows users to filter materials by properties like mechanical strength, thermal performance, and regulatory compliance (e.g., RoHS, REACH, UL ratings). Additional tools include supplier directories, downloadable datasheets, CAD files, and sustainability insights to support informed materials selection.

CAMPUS is a specialized database and software platform from campusplastics.com focused on thermoplastics materials selection, offering detailed property data for over 28,000 grades from global suppliers. It enables engineers to search, compare, and analyze materials based on mechanical, thermal, rheological, and processing properties through interactive diagrams and charts. The tool supports integration with CAE simulation software for virtual material testing and optimization in product design.

MakeItFrom.com is a web-based materials database and selection platform offering detailed properties for over 4,500 materials across categories like metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. It enables users to search by properties, compare up to 10 materials side-by-side, generate interactive charts, and find substitutable alternatives based on specified criteria. Primarily a reference tool, it supports basic materials selection through data-driven comparisons rather than advanced optimization algorithms.

Materials Project (materialsproject.org) is an open-access database and web platform providing density functional theory (DFT)-computed properties for over 150,000 inorganic materials, including formation energies, band structures, elastic properties, and more. It supports materials selection through advanced search tools, phase diagrams, pourbaix diagrams, and structure visualization, aiding in screening candidates for applications like batteries, photovoltaics, and catalysts. Users can export data for further analysis with tools like pymatgen and access APIs for integration into workflows.

Stahlschlüssel (stahlschluessel.de) is a specialized online database for steels and non-ferrous metals, providing detailed data sheets on material grades, chemical compositions, mechanical properties, and heat treatments. It enables users to search and compare materials by standards (e.g., DIN, EN, AISI), designations, or properties, making it a reliable reference for material identification and basic selection. While not featuring advanced multi-criteria optimization, it excels in cross-referencing international equivalents for quick lookups.

MMPDS (Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization), accessible via prattwhitney.com and related consortium resources, is a specialized software platform and database providing statistically validated mechanical, physical, and fatigue properties for metallic materials in aerospace applications. It serves as the industry-standard reference, formerly MIL-HDBK-5, with tools for data querying, allowables generation, and design analysis. Maintained by a steering committee including Pratt & Whitney, it ensures data reliability through collaborative testing and statistical methods.