5 Best Pressure Vessel Design Software For ASME & EN (2025)

Choosing pressure vessel design software means weighing code compliance, analysis capabilities, and workflow efficiency against your budget and project requirements. You need tools that handle ASME Section VIII or EN 13445 calculations accurately while keeping your design process smooth and your documentation bulletproof. The wrong choice costs time, money, and potentially compliance issues down the line.

This guide compares five leading pressure vessel design software options for 2025. You'll see how PV Elite, AutoPIPE Vessel, COMPRESS, CademPVD, and VCLAVIS stack up on design codes, modeling workflows, integrations, pricing, and real-world usability. Each section breaks down when to choose each tool based on your specific needs, whether you're designing simple vertical vessels or complex heat exchangers with multiple load cases.

1. PV Elite

PV Elite from Hexagon remains the industry standard for pressure vessel and heat exchanger design. You get comprehensive analysis capabilities that handle everything from simple vertical vessels to complex multi-component assemblies with confidence.

Quick overview and ideal use cases

You'll find PV Elite excels at general vessel design, vertical vessels on skirts or legs, and horizontal drums on saddle supports. The software handles stacked vessel configurations with multiple load combinations including pressure, deadweight, nozzle loads, wind, and seismic forces. Engineering firms working on projects that demand rigorous code compliance and detailed documentation favor this tool.

Design codes and compliance with ASME and EN

PV Elite supports ASME Section VIII Division 1 and 2, along with PD 5500 and EN 13445. You can verify wall thickness requirements and calculate allowable longitudinal stress for realistic load combinations. The software performs complete MAWP calculations including hydrostatic head effects and ANSI B16.5 flange pressure limitations.

Modeling workflow, load cases, and usability

The interface uses annotated input fields that make data entry straightforward without sacrificing analytical depth. You build models through interactive graphics that confirm your construction before running analysis. PV Elite handles multiple loading conditions simultaneously, from hydrotest scenarios to operating loads, giving you complete stress analysis results at critical locations.

PV Elite delivers analysis results at saddles, vessel midpoints, and heads using proven methods like L.P. Zick for horizontal vessels.

Integrations, reporting, and automation features

You can customize databases and default settings to match your company standards. The interactive output processor displays results on screen for quick review or sends complete reports to files, printers, or Word documents. PV Elite integrates with CAD systems for seamless workflow between design and analysis phases.

Licensing, pricing, and trial options

Hexagon offers subscription-based licensing with annual renewals. Contact their sales team directly for pricing specific to your requirements and user count. Trial versions give you hands-on experience before committing.

Strengths, limitations, and when to choose PV Elite

Choose PV Elite when you need the best pressure vessel design software for comprehensive code compliance and detailed analysis. The learning curve requires investment, but experienced pressure vessel engineers developed the software with daily industry requirements in mind. You'll pay premium pricing, yet the robust capabilities and industry acceptance justify the cost for firms handling complex or high-stakes projects.

2. AutoPIPE Vessel

AutoPIPE Vessel from Bentley Systems delivers powerful analysis capabilities for complex pressure vessels and shell and tube heat exchangers. You get sophisticated modeling tools that handle multiple loading conditions within an integrated environment designed for engineering efficiency.

Quick overview and ideal use cases

You'll find AutoPIPE Vessel excels when your projects involve intricate vessel geometries and demanding structural requirements. The software handles shell and tube heat exchangers alongside standard pressure vessel configurations, making it valuable for petrochemical, refining, and power generation applications.

Design codes and compliance with ASME and EN

The software supports ASME Section VIII calculations along with international standards including EN 13445. You can verify compliance across multiple jurisdictions without switching between different tools or manual calculation methods.

Modeling workflow, load cases, and advanced analysis

AutoPIPE Vessel processes complex load combinations including wind, seismic, thermal expansion, and operational loads. You build models that capture real-world conditions through detailed finite element analysis capabilities integrated into the core workflow.

Advanced FEA capabilities give you detailed stress distribution analysis throughout your entire vessel assembly.

CAD interoperability, reporting, and drawing output

You gain seamless integration with major CAD platforms for bidirectional data exchange. The software generates production-ready drawings and comprehensive calculation reports that meet documentation requirements for fabrication and regulatory approval.

Licensing, pricing, and trial options

Bentley offers subscription licensing through their Virtuosity platform with flexible term options. Contact their sales team for pricing tailored to your organization's size and project volume.

Strengths, limitations, and when to choose AutoPIPE Vessel

Choose AutoPIPE Vessel when you need advanced analysis capabilities for complex vessels with multiple loading scenarios. The learning curve demands time investment, but engineering teams working on sophisticated projects benefit from the comprehensive analysis depth this tool provides.

3. COMPRESS

COMPRESS from Codeware delivers focused ASME Section VIII design capabilities with an emphasis on practical engineering workflows. You get streamlined vessel design tools that combine calculation accuracy with user-friendly interfaces tailored for pressure vessel specialists.

Quick overview and ideal use cases

You'll find COMPRESS performs well for standard pressure vessel projects requiring ASME compliance without excessive complexity. The software serves fabrication shops, engineering consultants, and plant engineers who need reliable calculations and clear documentation fast.

ASME design focus and supported standards

COMPRESS centers on ASME Section VIII Division 1 and 2 calculations with proven accuracy. You can execute complete vessel design and heat exchanger analysis while maintaining strict adherence to code requirements that matter most in North American markets.

Modeling workflow, templates, and automation

The software provides preconfigured templates that accelerate common design tasks. You input vessel parameters through logical data entry screens that guide you through required information without forcing you to navigate complex menus or reference manuals constantly.

Templates and automation features reduce repetitive tasks, letting you focus on engineering decisions rather than data entry.

Nozzle, flange, and heat exchanger tools and outputs

COMPRESS includes detailed nozzle analysis and flange calculation modules integrated directly into the vessel design workflow. You get comprehensive heat exchanger design capabilities that cover tube sheet calculations, thermal analysis, and mechanical design in one package.

Licensing, pricing, and trial options

Codeware offers perpetual and subscription licensing options with annual maintenance plans. Demo versions let you evaluate the software before purchase. Contact their team for pricing based on module selection.

Strengths, limitations, and when to choose COMPRESS

Choose COMPRESS when you need solid ASME-focused design tools without paying for features you won't use. The software delivers excellent value for engineers primarily working within ASME frameworks, though international code support remains more limited than competitors offering broader global standards coverage.

4. CademPVD

CademPVD from CADEM delivers intelligent design automation specifically built for pressure vessels, storage tanks, heat exchangers, and reactors. You get intuitive workflows that reduce design time while maintaining calculation accuracy across multiple international standards.

Quick overview and ideal use cases

You'll find CademPVD handles standard vessel designs efficiently with particular strength in European and international markets. The software serves engineering firms and fabricators who need straightforward pressure vessel calculations without complex learning curves or excessive feature bloat.

Design codes and regional focus for ASME and EN users

CademPVD supports ASME Section VIII along with EN 13445, PD 5500, and other regional codes. You can switch between different design standards within the same project, making it valuable when your work spans multiple jurisdictions or client requirements.

Modeling workflow, analysis capabilities, and usability

The interface emphasizes ease of use with logical data entry sequences that guide you through vessel design parameters. You build models quickly through preconfigured templates and automated calculation routines that handle common design scenarios without manual intervention.

Smart automation reduces repetitive tasks while maintaining full control over engineering decisions.

Reporting, documentation, and integration options

CademPVD generates complete calculation reports with clear documentation of all design assumptions and code checks. You export results to standard file formats for integration with other engineering tools in your workflow.

Licensing, pricing, and trial options

CADEM offers perpetual and subscription licenses with pricing typically lower than enterprise-level competitors. Contact their sales team for regional pricing and demo access.

Strengths, limitations, and when to choose CademPVD

Choose CademPVD when you need solid calculation capabilities at competitive pricing points without paying for features beyond your requirements. The software delivers reliable results for standard designs, though you might find advanced analysis capabilities more limited compared to tools like PV Elite for highly complex projects.

5. VCLAVIS pressure vessel software

VCLAVIS offers web-based design tools that eliminate software installation requirements while providing full code compliance capabilities. You access cloud-hosted calculations through your browser, making this platform particularly valuable for distributed teams and multi-location engineering operations.

Quick overview and ideal use cases

You'll find VCLAVIS handles standard vessel designs efficiently with particular strength in collaborative project environments. Engineering firms working across multiple offices benefit from centralized data management and real-time access to project information.

Web based architecture, collaboration, and security

The platform runs entirely in your web browser without local installations or updates. You share designs with team members through secure cloud infrastructure, allowing simultaneous access to projects while maintaining version control and change tracking.

Design codes and compliance with ASME and EN

VCLAVIS supports ASME Section VIII, EN 13445, PD 5500, and AD 2000 standards. You execute calculations that meet international requirements across different regulatory jurisdictions within the same interface.

Modeling workflow, analysis, and reporting features

You build vessel models through guided input screens that streamline data entry. The software generates complete documentation with calculation sheets formatted for regulatory submission and client review.

Cloud architecture means you access your projects from any location without software maintenance overhead.

Licensing, pricing, and trial options

VCLAVIS uses subscription-based pricing with different tiers based on feature access and user count. Contact their team for current rates and demo access.

Strengths, limitations, and when to choose VCLAVIS

Choose VCLAVIS when you need flexible access across locations without managing software installations. The web-based approach suits distributed teams, though you'll need reliable internet connectivity for uninterrupted access to this best pressure vessel design software option.

Final thoughts

You've seen how each of these tools approaches pressure vessel design with different strengths and trade-offs. PV Elite delivers comprehensive analysis capabilities for complex projects, while COMPRESS offers focused ASME capabilities at competitive pricing. AutoPIPE Vessel excels at advanced load cases, CademPVD balances features with usability, and VCLAVIS provides web-based accessibility for distributed teams.

Your choice depends on project complexity, budget constraints, and international code requirements. Select the best pressure vessel design software based on which tool aligns with your specific engineering workflows and compliance needs rather than chasing features you won't use in practice.

At 99pt5, we design BioGas processing equipment using these same rigorous pressure vessel standards and ASME compliance practices that ensure safety and reliability. Learn how we apply petroleum industry engineering standards to BioMethane systems.