What CST - Computer Simulation Technology does

CST - Computer Simulation Technology, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, develops CST Studio Suite, a high-performance 3D electromagnetic (EM) analysis software package used for designing, analyzing, and optimizing electromagnetic components and systems. The platform's core architecture unifies multiple electromagnetic field solvers—finite integration technique (FIT) transient, FIT-based Eigenmode, frequency domain, finite element method (FEM), and integral equation solvers—within a single user interface, and allows those solvers to be coupled for hybrid simulations across the entire EM spectrum from statics to light. Modular components cover electromagnetic simulation solvers, a graphical design environment, automatic optimization routines, systems modeling, and workflow integration (including CATIA data exchange); CST Microwave Studio, the original FIT-based product, was folded into CST Studio Suite in 2006.

The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: DSY) following its 2016 acquisition, and its software is now distributed exclusively through Dassault's global enterprise direct-sales channel. Revenue is generated primarily through commercial licensing of CST Studio Suite (subscription/recurring or perpetual enterprise licenses), supplemented by paid professional training and a free Learning Edition that serves as a freemium gateway into academic and student users. CST serves engineering and technology customers across aerospace & defense, transportation & mobility (including EV and eVTOL), high-tech (semiconductors, antennas, RF), industrial equipment, marine & offshore, life sciences & healthcare, academic/research, and architecture/engineering/construction, addressing use cases such as antenna design, EMC/EMI compliance, RF filter design, electrical machine analysis, bioelectromagnetics, and thermal management in high-power devices.

Name

CST - Computer Simulation Technology

Legal name

Computer Simulation Technology

Website

https://cst.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CST - Computer Simulation Technology, a Darmstadt-based Dassault Systèmes subsidiary, develops CST Studio Suite—a 3D electromagnetic simulation platform combining FIT, FEM, and integral equation solvers—and sells it to engineering enterprises across aerospace, automotive, high-tech, and industrial sectors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Darmstadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. CST Studio Suite Commercial Licenses: Commercial software licensing model for enterprise customers requiring full electromagnetic simulation capabilities. Sold through Dassault Systèmes channels with annual subscription or perpetual license options.
2. CST Studio Suite Learning Edition: Free educational version providing access to visualization engine and advanced solvers with limitations. Serves as a gateway to drive adoption among students and future engineering professionals.
3. Training and Services: Professional training courses and services offered for students, academia, professionals and companies seeking to enhance CST software proficiency.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CST develops and licenses CST Studio Suite, a high-performance 3D electromagnetic (EM) analysis software package used for designing, analyzing, and optimizing electromagnetic components and systems across the full EM spectrum. The suite bundles multiple electromagnetic field solvers (finite integration technique, finite element method, integral equation) inside a single user interface and supports hybrid, multi-physics simulations integrated with the Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform. A free Learning Edition is provided for educational users.

Product overview

CST - Computer Simulation Technology offers a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on CST Studio Suite, a high-performance 3D electromagnetic analysis software package. CST Studio Suite is the core product containing multiple electromagnetic field solvers (transient, frequency domain, Eigenmode, FEM, integral equation) within a single interface, enabling hybrid simulations. The product suite includes specific modules for Electromagnetic Simulation Solvers, Design Environment, Automatic Optimization, Systems Modeling, and Workflow Integration. CST Microwave Studio was the original standalone product (first CST product) that was integrated into CST Studio Suite in 2006. A free Learning Edition is available for educational purposes. CST was acquired by Dassault Systèmes in 2016 and now integrates with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CST Studio Suite High-performance 3D electromagnetic analysis software package for designing, analyzing, and optimizing electromagnetic components and systems. Contains multiple solvers for applications across the EM spectrum within a single user interface, with coupled solvers for hybrid simulations and integration with other SIMULIA products. Sold to enterprise engineering organizations.
• CST Studio Suite Learning Edition Free educational version that introduces electromagnetic simulation and Maxwell's equations, providing access to the visualization engine and advanced solvers of CST Studio Suite with some limitations. Designed for students and coursework learning CST software.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced physical prototypes required through virtual prototyping capabilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Dassault SystèmescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerIn 2016, Dassault Systèmes acquired CST (Computer Simulation Technology), integrating CST Studio Suite into the SIMULIA portfolio and 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This acquisition provided CST access to Dassault's global distribution network, cross-selling opportunities with complementary simulation products, and integration with multi-physics simulation workflows. CST now operates as a product line within Dassault Systèmes' simulation division.

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ansys: Ansys is the dominant competitor in electromagnetic simulation with HFSS, Maxwell, and SIwave products. It is the most direct peer, offering overlapping EM solver capabilities across the same spectrum and serving identical aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, and high-tech customer segments.
• Keysight Technologies: Keysight's PathWave EM Design (EMPro) and Advanced Design System (ADS) compete directly with CST Studio Suite for RF/microwave, antenna, and high-frequency EM simulation, particularly in aerospace, defense, and wireless communications applications.
• Cadence Design Systems: Cadence's Clarity 3D Solver and AWR products target the same electromagnetic simulation market, particularly for chip-package-system co-design. Cadence's strong EDA footprint in semiconductor design makes it a major direct competitor for integrated circuit and signal integrity customers.
• Altair Engineering: Altair's FEKO product (acquired in 2014) directly competes with CST Studio Suite for full-wave 3D electromagnetic simulation, particularly in antenna placement, EMC analysis, and radar cross-section applications across aerospace and automotive markets.
• COMSOL: COMSOL Multiphysics offers electromagnetic simulation modules (RF, Wave Optics, AC/DC) that overlap with CST Studio Suite for multiphysics problems. COMSOL serves many of the same academic and industrial customers requiring coupled physics analysis.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens EDA (formerly Mentor Graphics): Siemens EDA provides electromagnetic analysis tools as part of its broader EDA portfolio, including offerings for signal integrity, power integrity, and 3D EM extraction. While not as specialized as CST in full-wave 3D EM, it competes for integrated circuit and PCB EM analysis budgets.
• Synopsys: Synopsys is a broad EDA incumbent offering parasitic extraction and signal integrity EM tools. It is less specialized than CST in full-wave 3D EM but competes for chip and package EM simulation budgets within semiconductor design flows.

Emerging players

• Sonnet Software: Sonnet specializes in planar high-frequency electromagnetic analysis using method of moments. It competes with CST in the high-frequency/RF/microwave niche, particularly for planar circuits, MMICs, and microstrip antenna design, though with a narrower focus.
• Remcom: Remcom provides XFdtd and other EM simulation tools targeting antenna design, RF propagation, and EMI/EMC analysis. It is a smaller niche competitor focusing on specific use cases within the broader EM simulation market served by CST.

Others

• SIMULIA (Dassault Systèmes): SIMULIA is CST's parent product line within Dassault Systèmes, offering structural, CFD, and vibro-acoustics simulation. While not a competitor, it is the platform through which CST Studio Suite is distributed and integrated, making SIMULIA the closest organizational peer for understanding CST's go-to-market context.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSTworld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cst---computer-simulation-technology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CST - Computer Simulation Technology