Simulation

Kerf vs Ansys Zemax OpticStudio

The gold standard for optical design and tolerancing — versus an open-core CAD with ray tracing, Gaussian beam propagation, physical-optics propagation, and acoustics.

11/11in Kerf today

9/11in Ansys Zemax OpticStudio (included)

0behind a paid tier

2026-05-24last reviewed

Capability	Kerf	Ansys Zemax OpticStudio
Paraxial ABCD ray transferD12	yes `packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/ray_transfer.py`	yes source ↗
Sequential ray tracing (lens design)D12	yes `packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/lens_system.py`	yes source ↗
Seidel / Zernike aberration analysisD12	yes `packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/lens_system.py`	yes source ↗
Non-sequential ray tracing (stray light)D12	yes `packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/nonsequential.py`	yes source ↗
Gaussian beam propagationD12	yes `packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/gaussian.py`	yes source ↗
Tolerancing (NEST / Monte Carlo)D12	yes `packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/tolerancing.py`	yes source ↗
Multiphysics STOP analysis (thermal + structural)D12	yes	yes source ↗
Wave optics / diffraction / polarisationD12	yes `packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/pop.py`	yes source ↗
Metalens designD12	yes	yes source ↗
Acoustics (ISO 9613, RT60, room acoustics)D12	yes `packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/`	no source ↗
LLM / chat-native editingD1	yes `src/components/ChatPanel.jsx`	no source ↗

yes shipped
partial works with limits
paid tier present, but behind an add-on or meter
no not available

Corrections welcome. These rows are read off published documentation on the date shown and go stale as products ship. If a row is wrong, open an issue — the source file is public/compare/zemax.md and every claim in it carries a link.