It’s so easy, in fact, that you can go from install to designing and creating circuits on your first day.Ī Windows based application, it boasts a decent library of components – not to mention the ability to add your own – and makes a great option for beginners and mid-level designers alike. With a short learning curve and a modern interface, DipTrace is one of the easiest applications to get started with. Note! EagleCAD features an auto-router which takes the hassle out of manually routing signals. Anything more than that, and you’ll need to hand over some cash. If, that is, you can live with its 2 layer, 80mm x 100mm limitations. Namely, better support for pre-built components than its competitor – Altium – and a much more enticing price tag of ‘Free!’. You do get something in return for the hassle. The result? A steep learning curve, even for those willing to put in the time to learn its archaic ways. How so? It’s widely regarded as both difficult to pick up and learn, hampered by a dated UI and usability issues reminiscent of 90’s PC software. Though that’s not to say it isn’t without its critics: EagleCAD isn’t for beginners. Altium boasts the ability to import and export 3D Step files, as well as view your boards and designs in 3D so you can check them against other hardware components well before you go ahead and bring your project to life.īonus! Altium’s Supplier Link makes it easy to drag-and-drop vital information such as manufacturer name, part numbers and other identifiers onto your components.Ī favourite among the open source hardware community, EagleCAD is an affordable option which boasts an extensive component and footprint library. Which will come as no surprise given the wealth of tutorials, guides and technical documents available across the web. Its modern, easy-to-use UI is highly customisable – with shortcut keys galore – and Its widespread adoption within the industry makes it easy to jump into and even easier to create with. At times, prohibitively so.Īt the very least, you get what you pay for.
It’s one of – if not the most – expensive options on this list. From free to paid, basic to broad, there’s an option here to suit almost any budget, operating system or project you have in mind.įeature rich, well-supported and ubiquitous within the electronic design community, Altium’s undeniable strength comes at a cost. That’s why today we’re highlighting 13 of the best PCB circuit board and design software for your next project. Once the playground of a select few, nowadays PCB design software is a dime a dozen. Are you drawing up a schematic? Prototyping a design? Or perhaps looking to take an idea from concept through to final product? No matter the specifics of where and how you’re planning on placing the many components of a PCB, the number of design packages available for your next project is pretty vast.
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