Top 10 Best Pressure Vessel Design Software of 2026

PV Elite, developed by Hexagon, is an industry-leading software for the design, analysis, and evaluation of pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and storage tanks. It performs detailed calculations compliant with ASME Section VIII, API 650/653, PD 5500, and other international codes, covering components like shells, heads, nozzles, skirts, and legs. The tool offers automated optimization, fitness-for-service assessments, and advanced stress analysis to ensure safety and efficiency in high-pressure environments.

COMPRESS by Codeware is a specialized software for the mechanical design and analysis of pressure vessels, complying with ASME Section VIII Divisions 1 and 2, as well as other international codes like PD 5500 and EN 13445. It automates calculations for cylindrical shells, hemispherical and torispherical heads, nozzles, flanges, and supports, while generating detailed compliance reports and material take-offs. The software integrates with CAD tools like AutoCAD for automated fabrication drawings, streamlining the design-to-fabrication workflow.

AutoPIPE Vessel from Bentley Systems is a specialized software for the design, analysis, and documentation of pressure vessels and shell-and-tube heat exchangers. It automates compliance checks with major codes like ASME Section VIII, PD 5500, EN 13445, and others, performing stress analysis, nozzle evaluations, and leg/se skirt support designs. The tool generates detailed reports, fabrication drawings, and bills of materials, integrating seamlessly with other Bentley products like AutoPIPE for piping analysis.

Visual Vessel Design is a comprehensive Windows-based software for the mechanical design and analysis of pressure vessels according to ASME Section VIII Div. 1 & 2, PD 5500, EN 13445, and other codes. It enables users to model cylindrical shells, hemispherical and torispherical heads, nozzles, flanges, and supports with automated thickness, stress, and MAWP calculations. The tool generates detailed compliance reports and graphical outputs for documentation and fabrication.

CAESAR II from Hexagon is an industry-standard software primarily for pipe stress and flexibility analysis, crucial in pressure vessel design workflows for evaluating piping loads on vessel nozzles and supports. It performs comprehensive static, dynamic, seismic, wind, and thermal analyses in accordance with codes like ASME B31.3 and international standards. While not a dedicated pressure vessel design tool for wall thickness or head calculations, it excels in ensuring piping integrity interacts safely with vessels.

NozzlePRO, developed by Paulin Research Group, is a specialized software for the finite element analysis (FEA) of nozzles in pressure vessels, evaluating local stresses and reinforcement needs. It ensures compliance with ASME Section VIII Division 1 and 2 codes, handling complex geometries like large nozzles, reinforcing pads, and protrusions under various load combinations. Primarily used for detailed local load assessments rather than full vessel design, it provides precise results trusted in engineering firms for critical nozzle evaluations.

ROHR2 is a specialized engineering software for piping stress analysis, flexibility calculations, and support design in industrial plants, supporting major codes like ASME B31.3, EN 13480, and AD 2000. It excels in modeling complex pipe networks, including interfaces with pressure vessels such as nozzle load calculations and equipment flexibility. While not a standalone pressure vessel design tool, it provides robust integration for vessel-piping interactions in process industries.

AMETank is a specialized software solution from OLM Programs for the design, analysis, and evaluation of aboveground storage tanks compliant with API 650 and API 653 standards. It handles shell, roof, bottom, and nozzle designs, along with advanced analyses for seismic, wind loads, hydrostatic testing, and foundation settlement. The tool generates detailed code-compliant reports, drawings, and bills of materials, making it a go-to for tank integrity assessments and rerating.

CodeCalc from Codeware is an Excel-based add-in software designed for ASME Section VIII Division 1 pressure vessel calculations, covering cylindrical shells, torispherical and hemispherical heads, nozzles, flanges, and legs/saddles. It automates code-compliant designs, generates detailed calculation reports, and produces manufacturer data sheets like Form U-1A. While not a full CAD or 3D modeling tool, it excels in quick, standalone mechanical integrity assessments for vessels and heat exchangers.

ANSYS Mechanical is a comprehensive finite element analysis (FEA) software suite from ANSYS, Inc., renowned for simulating structural behaviors in pressure vessels, including stress, strain, thermal, and fatigue analyses under internal/external pressures. It supports complex geometries like cylindrical shells, nozzles, and heads, with compliance checks for ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) standards. The tool integrates with ANSYS Workbench for seamless multiphysics workflows, making it suitable for validating and optimizing pressure vessel designs beyond basic hand calculations.