OrCAD (All Products) vs KiCad

Struggling to choose between OrCAD (All Products) and KiCad? 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, KiCad is a Development product tagged with open-source, electronics, design, schematic, pcb.

Its standout features include Schematic capture, PCB layout, SPICE simulation, 3D visualization, Gerber file generation, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), Large component library, Active development community, Flexible customization.

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.

OrCAD (All Products)

OrCAD (All Products)

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.

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

OrCAD (All Products) Features

  1. Schematic capture
  2. PCB layout and autorouting
  3. FPGA design
  4. Simulation and analysis
  5. 3D modeling and visualization
  6. Design rule checking
  7. Signal integrity analysis
  8. Thermal analysis
  9. Design data and workflow management

Pricing

  • Subscription
  • Perpetual License

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

KiCad

KiCad

KiCad is an open source electronics design automation software suite used for schematic capture, printed circuit board design, and more. It is cross-platform and licensed under GNU GPL v3.

Categories:
Development Electronics Design
open-source electronics design schematic pcb

KiCad Features

  1. Schematic capture
  2. PCB layout
  3. SPICE simulation
  4. 3D visualization
  5. Gerber file generation

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Large component library

Active development community

Flexible customization

Cons

Steep learning curve

Limited documentation

Less intuitive UI than some paid options