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.
open-source
electronics
design
schematic
pcb
KiCad: Open Source Electronics Design Automation Software
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.
What is 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 features and highlights of KiCad include:
- Cross-platform support - KiCad runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Advanced schematic capture with hierarchy and reuse of components
- PCB layout module with advanced features like push and shove routers, 3D viewing, and more
- Support for importing schematics and boards from various CAD formats
- Photorealistic and virtual reality 3D rendering of PCBs
- Integration of PCB design data with mechanical CAD software
- Scripting and automation capabilities with Python
- Component library with over 500,000 parts
- Active development community constantly adding new features and enhancements
With its rich feature set and open source nature, KiCad has become popular among hobbyists, educators, and professionals for electronics design across fields like RF and analog design, power electronics, and more.
KiCad Features
Features
- Schematic capture
- PCB layout
- SPICE simulation
- 3D visualization
- 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
Official Links
The Best KiCad Alternatives
Top Development and Electronics Design and other similar apps like KiCad
Here are some alternatives to KiCad:
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,...
LTspice
LTspice is a powerful and free circuit simulation software by Analog Devices. It is used for simulating and analyzing analog, digital and mixed-signal circuits. Some key features of LTspice include:Intuitive schematic capture interface for drawing circuitsExtensive component libraries with models for Analog Devices ICs as well as passive componentsFast simulation...
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...
CircuitLab
CircuitLab is an online circuit simulator and schematic capture tool designed for simplicity and ease-of-use. It allows users to quickly create circuit designs, analyze their behavior through interactive simulation, and share designs with others.Some key features of CircuitLab include:Intuitive drag-and-drop interface to assemble circuitsLarge component library with both analog and...
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...
Circuit Wizard
Circuit Wizard is a free circuit design and simulation software for Windows. It provides an interactive graphical environment for designing, testing, and analyzing analog and digital circuits before physically constructing them.Key features of Circuit Wizard include:Intuitive graphical user interface for drawing schematics and laying out printed circuit boardsExtensive component libraries...
CircuitMaker
CircuitMaker is a free printed circuit board (PCB) design software from Altium for electronics engineers. It allows users to design printed circuit boards and schematics for electronics projects.Some key features of CircuitMaker include:Advanced PCB routing tools - Includes interactive routing, hugging, push and shove routing, and dynamic track width.Real-time design...
TinyCAD
TinyCAD is an open source computer aided design (CAD) application designed for drawing schematics, diagrams, illustrations, and other 2D graphics. As the name suggests, it has a small footprint and aims to provide basic CAD functionality without overwhelming users.Some of the key features of TinyCAD include:Layers for organizing drawingsCommon shape...
OrCAD (All Products)
OrCAD is a comprehensive suite of electronic design automation (EDA) software tools developed by Cadence Design Systems for engineers and designers to create printed circuit boards (PCBs), integrated circuits (ICs), and programmable logic designs. The OrCAD product line includes the following core components:OrCAD Capture - Schematic capture and mixed-signal circuit...
Sprint-Layout
Sprint-Layout is an affordable printed circuit board (PCB) design software targeted at hobbyists, educators, and professional engineers. It provides an accessible and intuitive user interface for schematic capture and PCB layout, making it easy to learn for beginners while still providing advanced functionality for complex designs.Key features of Sprint-Layout include:Schematic...
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...
Livewire
Livewire is an open-source PHP framework that aims to simplify building dynamic interfaces and web applications. It allows you to write backend code in PHP and link it to the frontend without needing to write JavaScript.Some key features of Livewire include:Real-time updates - When data changes on the server, the...
TINA
TINA is an open-source 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design application. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline - modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking. TINA also includes video editing and 2D animation capabilities.Some of the key features of TINA include:An intuitive and flexible user interface...
CircuitJS1 Desktop Mod
CircuitJS1 Desktop Mod is an enhanced desktop version of the CircuitJS1 web-based circuit simulator. It provides an easy to use interface for virtually designing and testing circuits without physical components.Some key features of the CircuitJS1 Desktop Mod include:Open source software with a large component library for simulating analog and digital...
DipTrace
DipTrace is a printed circuit board (PCB) design software used for schematic capture and PCB layout. Some key features of DipTrace include:Intuitive schematic capture interface for drawing circuit diagramsBuilt-in component libraries with over 300,000 partsRouting and autorouting tools for laying out PCB tracesSupport for multilayer boards up to 16 layers3D...
Upverter
Upverter is a cloud-based electronics design automation (EDA) platform that provides schematic capture, PCB layout, and design data management tools for hardware engineers. Its key features include:Intuitive schematic editor for drawing circuit diagrams with automatic netlist generationPCB editor for board layout with autorouting capabilitiesVersion control and design sharing capabilities for...
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...
GEDA Project
The gEDA Project is a full GPL'd suite of Electronic Design Automation tools that are used for electrical circuit design, schematic capture, simulation, prototyping, and production. gEDA uses an open file format and aims to be a free alternative to proprietary EDA suites like Cadence or OrCAD.gEDA includes applications for...
PCBWeb
PCBWeb is an open-source, web-based printed circuit board design application. It provides a complete suite of PCB design features allowing users to take a design from concept to manufacture.Some of the key capabilities and benefits of PCBWeb include:Fully web-based interface requiring no local software installationIntuitive graphical editor for fast PCB...
ICircuit
iCircuit is an interactive circuit simulator and schematic capture tool designed specifically for prototyping, experimenting, and testing circuit ideas. It provides a simple and intuitive interface that allows both novice and advanced users to quickly draw circuits and simulate them with ease.Some key features of iCircuit include:Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for...
Schematics
Schematics is an open-source, cross-platform electronic design automation (EDA) software used for drawing schematic diagrams and designing printed circuit boards (PCBs). It provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interface for electrical engineers, designers, technicians, educators and hobbyists to create professional schematics and electronic circuit diagrams.Some key features of Schematics include:Intuitive graphical...
ExpressPCB
ExpressPCB is circuit board layout software optimized for simplicity and ease-of-use. It enables electronics hobbyists and engineers to easily design 2-layer printed circuit boards and get them manufactured affordably.Some key features of ExpressPCB include:User-friendly drag and drop interface for placing components and routing tracesIntuitive tools for drawing pads, tracks, shapes,...
Micro-Cap
Micro-Cap is a powerful integrated schematic capture and simulation program used for circuit simulation, analysis and PCB design. It includes tools for analog, digital, mixed-mode, and switched-capacitor circuit drawing, a wide range of analysis tools and device models, and advanced simulation techniques.Key features of Micro-Cap include:Intuitive schematic capture with automatic...
Flux.ai
Flux.ai is an emerging business intelligence and analytics platform that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate data processing and analysis. It aims to make business intelligence and data science capabilities more accessible to organizations without requiring extensive technical skills or data science expertise.Some key capabilities and benefits of...
EasyEDA
EasyEDA is a free online electronic circuit simulator and PCB design software that allows users to design electronic circuits, create PCBs, and simulate circuit behavior. Some key features of EasyEDA include:Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for designing circuits and PCBsLarge component library with over 500,000 partsReal-time circuit simulation to test and debug...
NI Circuit Design Suite Power Pro
NI Circuit Design Suite Power Pro is a specialized integrated software suite developed specifically for power electronics and motor drive applications. It provides an integrated environment for designing, simulating, prototyping, and validating power electronic and drive systems.Some of the key capabilities include:Schematic capture tools tailored for power electronics design including...
PADS PCB Design
PADS PCB Design is a feature-rich printed circuit board (PCB) design application developed by Mentor Graphics. It provides tools for the entire PCB design flow, from schematic capture and simulation to PCB layout and manufacturing outputs.Some key features of PADS PCB Design include:Intuitive schematic editor with support for hierarchical designsExtensive...
ExpressSCH
ExpressSCH is an open-source, cross-platform electronic design automation suite consisting of a schematic capture program and PCB layout tool. Developed by ExpressPCB, ExpressSCH aims to provide an intuitive and fully-featured schematic and PCB design solution accessible to hobbyists, students, and professional engineers alike.Some key features of ExpressSCH include:Intuitive graphical user...
DesignSpark PCB
DesignSpark PCB is a feature-rich printed circuit board (PCB) design software targeted for electronics engineers. It is developed by RS Components and provided free of cost.Some of the key features of DesignSpark PCB include:Intuitive schematic capture with automatic netlist generationPowerful PCB layout editor with advanced routing capabilities and design rule...
Circuit Tree
Circuit Tree is an open-source, cross-platform electronics design automation suite focused on schematic capture and PCB layout. It aims to provide an easy-to-use and intuitive graphical user interface coupled with powerful tools to boost productivity.Key features of Circuit Tree include:Intuitive graphical schematic capture with advanced editing toolsPowerful PCB layout module...
PCB Wizard
PCB Wizard is a feature-rich printed circuit board (PCB) design software used to design and manufacture high-quality PCBs. With its easy-to-use schematic editor and powerful PCB layout capabilities, PCB Wizard enables electronics engineers, students, makers, and hobbyists to transform their electronic circuit ideas into professional PCB designs.Some of the key...
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 layoutSupport for up to 16 copper layersBuilt-in...
QuickCopper
QuickCopper is an affordable and easy-to-use graphic design and photo editing software for Windows and Mac. It can serve as a good alternative to Adobe Photoshop for hobbyists, students, small business owners and anyone who needs to occasionally work with digital images and graphics.Despite being much more affordable and simpler...
VBB4Arduino
VBB4Arduino is an open-source graphical programming environment designed specifically for Arduino microcontrollers and compatible boards. It provides an easy way to write programs and upload them to Arduino without having to manually type code.One of the key features of VBB4Arduino is its drag-and-drop interface that allows users to quickly wire...
Circuit Diagram
Circuit Diagram is a feature-rich application used to design, simulate, and layout electronic circuits. With an intuitive graphical interface, it enables electronics engineers, technicians, makers, and hobbyists to easily construct circuit schematics consisting of common components like resistors, capacitors, transistors, logic gates, microcontrollers, and more.Once a schematic is completed, Circuit...
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...
Copper Connection
Copper Connection is a user-friendly project management software designed for small teams of up to 10 people. It provides a wide range of features to help you plan projects more effectively, execute tasks efficiently, and collaborate seamlessly with team members.With Copper Connection, you can create projects and break them down...
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...
MeowCAD
MeowCAD is a powerful yet easy-to-use computer-aided design (CAD) platform aimed at architecture, engineering, and construction professionals. It offers a robust toolset for building design, including:2D drafting tools like lines, arcs, circles, etc for creating detailed construction drawings.3D modeling tools to create photorealistic renderings and walkthroughs of building designs.Support for...
MyNetPCB
myNetPCB is an open-source printed circuit board (PCB) design software used for designing and manufacturing printed circuit boards. It is a cross-platform application that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.Some key features of myNetPCB include:Intuitive and easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI)Supports both 2D and 3D visualization of PCB...
Elwi
Elwi is a cloud-based digital whiteboard application designed for agile and distributed teams who need to align and collaborate visually. It provides an infinite, flexible canvas where teammates can brainstorm ideas, take notes, annotate documents, and map out plans together in real-time.As a collaborative whiteboard, Elwi is optimized for aligning...
Caneda
Caneda is a powerful, easy-to-use, cross-platform electronics design automation suite for schematic capture, printing circuit board layout, and manufacturing. It features an intuitive graphical user interface to streamline workflow and includes advanced tools for routing, design rule checks, and 3D modeling.Key features of Caneda include:Schematic capture with part library for...
SoloPCB
SoloPCB is printed circuit board (PCB) design software aimed at hobbyists, makers, and electronics engineers. It provides an easy-to-use interface for schematic capture and PCB layout, allowing users to design single or double-sided circuit boards.Key features of SoloPCB include:Intuitive schematic editor for capturing circuit diagramsPCB layout tools with auto-routing 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...
PCB Elegance
PCB Elegance is an affordable printed circuit board (PCB) design application targeted at hobbyists, educators, and low-volume PCB designers. It provides a complete front-to-back PCB design workflow including schematic capture, PCB layout, auto-routing, design rule checking, and 3D PCB visualization.Some key features of PCB Elegance include:Intuitive schematic editor for capturing...
Osmond PCB
Osmond PCB is an open-source, cross-platform printed circuit board design software. It provides a complete suite of tools for schematic capture and PCB layout design.Some key features of Osmond PCB include:Intuitive schematic editor for capturing circuit diagramsAdvanced PCB layout tools with support for complex multi-layer boardsBuilt-in auto-router for automatically routing...
PCB Artist
PCB Artist is a printed circuit board (PCB) design software targeted at hobbyists, makers, and engineers. It provides a complete set of schematic capture and PCB layout design tools for creating professional multi-layer circuit boards.Key features of PCB Artist include:Intuitive schematic editor for drawing circuit diagrams with automatic netlist generationAdvanced...
AutoTRAX DEX
AutoTRAX DEX is a comprehensive shop management and automation software designed specifically for auto repair shops, dealership service departments, and fleet maintenance operations. It integrates all parts of a shop's operations into one centralized system.Key features of AutoTRAX DEX include:Electronic estimating with integrated parts pricing and labor guidesInvoicing and integrated...
OmniGlyph
OmniGlyph is a professional glyph design and production application for typographers, type designers, and graphic designers. It provides a complete suite of tools to design, edit, hint, interpolate, and export fonts.Key features of OmniGlyph include:Intuitive on-canvas glyph editing with pen tools, shapes, components and moreSmart autohinting for optimization across platforms...
Horizon EDA
Horizon EDA is a feature-rich printed circuit board (PCB) design software that covers the complete workflow from schematic capture to PCB layout and manufacturing. It comes integrated with a schematic editor, PCB layout editor with advanced autorouting algorithms, design rule checking (DRC), and 3D preview to visualize the final board.Some...
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...
JumboCAD EDA
JumboCAD EDA is a feature-rich printed circuit board (PCB) and electronic design automation (EDA) software. It is used by engineers and hobbyists for schematic capture, PCB layout, auto-routing, design rule checking, library management, and more.Some key features of JumboCAD EDA include:Intuitive schematic editor for drawing circuit schematics and simulationAdvanced PCB...
Topanga SchematicMaker
Topanga SchematicMaker is a feature-rich computer-aided design application designed specifically for the purpose of allowing engineers and designers to create professional-quality schematics, circuit and wiring diagrams, and blueprints. It provides an intuitive and flexible interface along with all the necessary tools and component libraries needed for electrical and electronic design.Some...
Layo1 PCB
Layo1 PCB is a feature-rich printed circuit board (PCB) design software targeted at hobbyists, makers, and engineers. It provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interface to design simple to complex circuit boards.Key features of Layo1 PCB include:Powerful editing tools to draw traces, polygons, and place components on the PCBAuto-routing capability to...
