PADS PCB Design vs Altium Designer

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

PADS PCB Design is a Development solution with tags like schematic-capture, pcb-layout, component-libraries, design-rule-checking, manufacturing-output.

It boasts features such as Schematic capture, PCB layout and routing, Design rule checking, 3D modeling and visualization, Component library with over 500,000 parts, Imports netlists from various EDA tools, Generates manufacturing and assembly files and pros including Powerful design features and capabilities, Extensive component libraries, Easy to learn and use, Great for complex, high-speed designs, Seamless ECAD/MCAD collaboration, Good technical support.

On the other hand, Altium Designer is a Development product tagged with pcb-design, schematic-capture, layout, manufacturing.

Its standout features include 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 it shines with pros like 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.

Feature	PADS PCB Design	Altium Designer
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

PADS PCB Design

Description: PADS PCB Design is printed circuit board (PCB) design software used for schematic capture and PCB layout. It offers extensive component libraries, design rule checking, and supports various output formats for manufacturing.

Altium Designer

Description: 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.

Key Features Comparison

PADS PCB Design Features

• Schematic capture
• PCB layout and routing
• Design rule checking
• 3D modeling and visualization
• Component library with over 500,000 parts
• Imports netlists from various EDA tools
• Generates manufacturing and assembly files

Altium Designer Features

• 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

Pros & Cons Analysis

PADS PCB Design

Pros

• Powerful design features and capabilities
• Extensive component libraries
• Easy to learn and use
• Great for complex, high-speed designs
• Seamless ECAD/MCAD collaboration
• Good technical support

Cons

• Expensive licensing model
• Steep learning curve for advanced features
• Limited customization options
• Frequent updates can introduce bugs
• Weak simulation features compared to other tools

Altium Designer

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

Pricing Comparison

PADS PCB Design

• Subscription
• Perpetual License

Altium Designer

• Subscription-Based
• Custom Pricing