FreePCB
FreePCB is an open-source printed circuit board design software. It allows designers to create schematics and layouts for printed circuit boards. FreePCB has features like auto-routing, Design Rule Checking, and library editors.
pcb-design
schematics
layouts
autorouting
design-rule-checking
FreePCB: Open-Source PCB Design Software
FreePCB is an open-source printed circuit board design software. It allows designers to create schematics and layouts for printed circuit boards. FreePCB has features like auto-routing, Design Rule Checking, and library editors.
What is FreePCB?
FreePCB is an open-source, cross-platform printed circuit board (PCB) design software. Developed by John Johnson, it enables electronics designers and engineers to create schematics and layouts for printed circuit boards.
Some key features of FreePCB include:
- Intuitive graphical user interface for schematic capture and PCB layout
- Support for up to 16 copper layers
- Built-in autorouter for automatically routing traces on the PCB
- Design rule checking to ensure manufacturability and avoid errors
- Footprint wizard for quickly creating new footprints
- Library editor for managing schematic symbols and 3D models
- Export formats including Gerber, DXF, and PNG
FreePCB runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It aims to provide a good balance of features and ease-of-use for hobbyists, educators, and professional engineers alike. While it lacks some advanced capabilities of expensive commercial tools, FreePCB covers the core functionality needed for most DIY and prototyping applications.
Overall, FreePCB represents a fully self-contained, free and open-source option for designs ranging from simple to moderately complex printed circuit boards.
FreePCB Features
Features
- Schematic capture
- PCB layout
- Auto-routing
- Design Rule Checking
- Library editors
- 3D view
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Free and open source
Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Good for hobbyists and students
Active community support
Cons
Limited features compared to paid options
Steep learning curve
Lacks some advanced/professional features
Official Links
The Best FreePCB Alternatives
Top Development and Electronics Design and other similar apps like FreePCB
Here are some alternatives to FreePCB:
Suggest an alternative ❐
Fritzing
Fritzing is an open-source software tool for electronics design, prototyping, and documentation. It allows makers, hobbyists, students, and engineers to easily create electronic circuit prototypes and layouts, and then generate professional diagrams and PCB designs to manufacture their projects.Some key features of Fritzing include:An easy-to-use interface with a breadboard view,...
KiCad
KiCad is an open source electronics design automation suite comprised of several different programs for schematic capture, printed circuit board layout, Gerber file generation, spice simulation, and more. Originally developed by Jean-Pierre Charras in 1992, KiCad has continued to be improved and expanded through contributions from a diverse community.Some key...
Proteus PCB design
Proteus PCB Design is a printed circuit board (PCB) layout software package aimed at professionals and electronics enthusiasts. It is part of the larger Proteus Design Suite which also includes schematic capture and simulation capabilities.Proteus PCB Design stands out for its powerful feature set including:Intuitive schematic capture with part libraries...
Altium Designer
Altium Designer is a comprehensive printed circuit board (PCB) design environment used by engineers for designing and prototyping complex electronic hardware products. It provides tools for all aspects of the PCB design process including:Schematic capture - Intuitively create schematics showing electrical connectivity and capture component data.PCB layout - Powerful routing...
Autodesk EAGLE
Autodesk EAGLE is a powerful printed circuit board (PCB) design software used by engineers, makers, and electronics enthusiasts. It enables schematic capture, PCB layout, autorouting, and also includes a comprehensive library of over 6 million component footprints and symbols.Some key features of Autodesk EAGLE include:Intuitive schematic editor for capturing circuits...
LochMaster
LochMaster is computer-aided design (CAD) software built specifically for the plumbing and mechanical contracting industry. It enables contractors to efficiently produce detailed fabrication and installation drawings for projects.Some key features of LochMaster include:Specialized tools and templates for pipe schematics, spool drawings, ductwork layouts, P&IDs;, and moreIntegrated design rule checking to...
LibrePCB
LibrePCB is a free and open source software application for designing printed circuit boards (PCBs). It provides a complete workflow from schematic capture, through board layout and routing, to manufacturing output generation.Some of the key features of LibrePCB include:Intuitive user interface designed specifically for PCB design.All steps of the design...
Epoxy
Epoxy is an open-source library for Android that simplifies building complex screens in Android apps. It abstracts away much of the boilerplate code that developers typically have to write when building RecyclerViews with multiple view types. Epoxy utilizes annotations to automatically generate diffing and data binding code for RecyclerView adapters.Key...
CometCAD
CometCAD is a free, open-source 2D computer-aided design (CAD) program available for Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems. It provides basic 2D drafting, drawing and design capabilities suitable for architects, engineers, designers and makers.Key features of CometCAD include:Intuitive user interface and easy to learn toolset for fast 2D drawing and...
Razen
Razen is a cloud-based project management and team collaboration software. It provides a variety of tools to help teams plan projects, assign tasks, share files, track progress, and work together more efficiently.Some of the key features of Razen include:Task Management - Create tasks, organize them into lists, assign them to...
VUTRAX
VUTRAX is a cloud-based business phone system tailored for small and medium sized businesses. It works as a virtual PBX, delivering enterprise-grade calling features without the need for costly on-premises hardware.Key features of VUTRAX include:Auto-attendants and interactive voice menus for professional call routingVoicemail transcriptions emailed to inboxesCustom hold music and...
