OrCAD (All Products) vs CircuitMaker

Struggling to choose between OrCAD (All Products) and CircuitMaker? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

OrCAD (All Products) is a Development solution with tags like pcb-design, ic-design, schematic-capture, simulation, layout, autorouting, manufacturing.

It boasts features such as Schematic capture, PCB layout and autorouting, FPGA design, Simulation and analysis, 3D modeling and visualization, Design rule checking, Signal integrity analysis, Thermal analysis, Design data and workflow management and pros including Powerful and full-featured toolset, Good for complex, high-speed designs, Tight integration between modules, Large user community and available expertise, Compatible with industry standards.

On the other hand, CircuitMaker is a Development product tagged with pcb-design, schematic-capture, electronics, cad.

Its standout features include PCB layout and routing, Real-time design rule checking, 3D PCB viewing and export, Component library with over 7000 parts, Import Altium and Eagle designs, Multi-layer boards up to 16 layers, Autorouting, Mixed-mode SPICE simulation, Version control and project collaboration, and it shines with pros like Free to use with no restrictions, Easy to learn and use, Powerful features for a free tool, Large component library, Can open Altium and Eagle files, Good for hobbyists and professionals.

Feature	OrCAD (All Products)	CircuitMaker
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

OrCAD (All Products)

Description: OrCAD is a suite of electronic design automation software used for printed circuit board, integrated circuit, and programmable logic design. It includes schematic capture, simulation, PCB layout, auto-routing, and manufacturing outputs.

CircuitMaker

Description: CircuitMaker is a free PCB design and schematic software for electronics engineers. It features advanced routing tools, real-time design rules checking, and a component library with over 7000 parts.

Key Features Comparison

OrCAD (All Products) Features

• Schematic capture
• PCB layout and autorouting
• FPGA design
• Simulation and analysis
• 3D modeling and visualization
• Design rule checking
• Signal integrity analysis
• Thermal analysis
• Design data and workflow management

CircuitMaker Features

• PCB layout and routing
• Real-time design rule checking
• 3D PCB viewing and export
• Component library with over 7000 parts
• Import Altium and Eagle designs
• Multi-layer boards up to 16 layers
• Autorouting
• Mixed-mode SPICE simulation
• Version control and project collaboration

Pros & Cons Analysis

OrCAD (All Products)

Pros

• Powerful and full-featured toolset
• Good for complex, high-speed designs
• Tight integration between modules
• Large user community and available expertise
• Compatible with industry standards

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Can be expensive for smaller teams
• Limited customization compared to open source
• Vendor lock-in

CircuitMaker

Pros

• Free to use with no restrictions
• Easy to learn and use
• Powerful features for a free tool
• Large component library
• Can open Altium and Eagle files
• Good for hobbyists and professionals

Cons

• Limited to 2 signal layers in free version
• No manufacturing outputs in free version
• Lacks some advanced features of paid tools
• Component library not as comprehensive as Altium
• Only available on Windows, not Mac or Linux

Pricing Comparison

OrCAD (All Products)

• Subscription
• Perpetual License

CircuitMaker

• Free
• Subscription-Based