Altium Designer vs DesignSpark PCB

Struggling to choose between Altium Designer and DesignSpark PCB? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Altium Designer is a Development solution with tags like pcb-design, schematic-capture, layout, manufacturing.

It boasts features such as PCB Layout and Routing, 3D PCB Visualization, FPGA Design, MCAD Co-Design, BOM Generation and Supply Chain Management, Simulation and Signal Integrity Analysis, Version Control and Design Data Management and pros including Powerful routing and layout tools, Intuitive 3D visualization, Tight integration between schematic and PCB, Support for complex designs like high-speed or RF, Extensive component libraries.

On the other hand, DesignSpark PCB is a Development product tagged with pcb-design, schematic-capture, routing, electronics, free.

Its standout features include Schematic capture, PCB layout and routing, Library of over 7000 components, 3D visualization, Import/export Altium and Eagle files, Multi-layer boards, Autorouting, Design rule checking, and it shines with pros like Free to use with no limits, Easy to learn and use, Good component library, Can handle moderately complex designs, Good routing features, 3D preview of PCB.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Altium Designer

Altium Designer

Altium Designer is professional printed circuit board (PCB) design software used for schematic capture, PCB layout, and file output for manufacturing. It helps engineers design and prototype complex electronic hardware products.

Categories:
Development Electronic Design Automation
pcb-design schematic-capture layout manufacturing

Altium Designer Features

  1. PCB Layout and Routing
  2. 3D PCB Visualization
  3. FPGA Design
  4. MCAD Co-Design
  5. BOM Generation and Supply Chain Management
  6. Simulation and Signal Integrity Analysis
  7. Version Control and Design Data Management

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based
  • Custom Pricing

Pros

Powerful routing and layout tools

Intuitive 3D visualization

Tight integration between schematic and PCB

Support for complex designs like high-speed or RF

Extensive component libraries

Cons

Steep learning curve

Expensive licensing model

Limited free version capabilities

Resource intensive

DesignSpark PCB

DesignSpark PCB

DesignSpark PCB is a free PCB design software for electronics engineers. It allows for schematic capture and PCB layout with advanced routing features. Good for simple to moderately complex designs.

Categories:
Development Electronics Design
pcb-design schematic-capture routing electronics free

DesignSpark PCB Features

  1. Schematic capture
  2. PCB layout and routing
  3. Library of over 7000 components
  4. 3D visualization
  5. Import/export Altium and Eagle files
  6. Multi-layer boards
  7. Autorouting
  8. Design rule checking

Pricing

  • Free

Pros

Free to use with no limits

Easy to learn and use

Good component library

Can handle moderately complex designs

Good routing features

3D preview of PCB

Cons

Limited to 2 signal layers

No embedded components or rigid-flex boards

Limited file import/export

Basic autorouter

No version control or collaboration features