No One-Size-Fits-All: A Systematic Review of LCA Software and a Selection Framework

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a fundamental methodology for evaluating environmental impacts across the life cycle of products, processes, and services. However, selecting appropriate LCA software is a complex task due to the wide variety of tools, each with different functionalities, sectoral focuses, and technical requirements. This study conducts a systematic literature review, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, to map the main characteristics, strengths, and limitations of LCA tools. The review includes 41 studies published between 2017 and 2025, identifying and categorizing 24 different tools. Technical and operational features were analyzed, such as modelling capacity, database compatibility, usability, integration capabilities, costs, and user requirements. Among the tools, five stood out for their frequent application: SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA, Umberto, and Athena. SimaPro is recognized for flexibility and robustness; GaBi for its industrial applications and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) support; OpenLCA for being open-source and accessible; Umberto for energy and process modelling; and Athena for integration with Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction. Despite their advantages, all tools presented specific limitations, including learning curve challenges and limited scope. The results show that no single tool fits all scenarios. In addition to the synthesis of these characteristics, this study also emphasizes the general features of the identified software, the challenges in making a well-supported selection decision, and proposes a decision flowchart designed to guide users through key selection criteria. This visual tool aims to support a more transparent, systematic, and context-oriented choice of LCA software, aligning capabilities with project-specific needs. Tool selection should align with research objectives, available expertise, and context. This review offers practical guidance for enhancing LCA applications in sustainability science.