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.
OrCAD (All Products) image
pcb-design ic-design schematic-capture simulation layout autorouting manufacturing

OrCAD: Electronic Design Automation Software

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.

What is 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 simulation software for designing and verifying analog, digital, and mixed electronic circuits.
  • OrCAD PCB Designer - Printed circuit board (PCB) layout software with auto-routing capabilities for turned single, double, or multi-layer boards.
  • OrCAD Sigrity - Signal and power integrity analysis software to validate, optimize, and verify high-speed PCB and IC package interconnect designs.
  • OrCAD FPGA System Planner - FPGA prototyping and early embedded software development through co-design and co-verification of hardware and software systems.

Some of the key benefits offered by the OrCAD product line include increased team collaboration through centralized design data management, reuse of proven design building blocks, rapid design iteration, system-level optimization for complex designs, and accurate manufacturability checks. The software supports design flows from concept through manufacturing and can integrate with various simulation, verification, and enterprise systems.

OrCAD (All Products) Features

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


The Best OrCAD (All Products) Alternatives

Top Development and Electronic Design Automation and other similar apps like OrCAD (All Products)


Fritzing icon

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,...
Fritzing image
KiCad icon

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...
KiCad image
Electronics Workbench icon

Electronics Workbench

Electronics Workbench is a long-standing electronic circuit simulator software used widely for circuit design, analysis, and simulation. It provides an intuitive graphical user interface that allows users to easily construct circuits by selecting components from a libraries of thousands of parts and dropping them on the workspace.Once a circuit is...
Altium Designer icon

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...
Altium Designer image
Pspice icon

Pspice

PSpice is a popular circuit simulation and analysis software used by electrical and electronics engineers. It enables simulation of analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits, allowing performance analysis and optimization before creating physical prototypes.Some key features of PSpice include:Accurate simulation of circuits using system-level component models and advanced analysis techniquesExtensive model...
Pspice image
Multisim icon

Multisim

Multisim is a comprehensive circuit design and electronics simulation software package from National Instruments. First launched in 1994, Multisim helps engineers, students, and academics design and simulate electronic circuits and prototypes. Key features include:Intuitive graphical user interface for drawing schematics and laying out printed circuit boardsSupport for capture of analog,...
Multisim image
QUCS icon

QUCS

QUCS (Quite Universal Circuit Simulator) is an open-source electronics circuit simulator software designed to perform various circuit simulations. Some key features of QUCS include:GUI for schematic capture of circuitsDC, AC, S-parameter, harmonic balance, noise analysis, etc.Modelling of semiconductor devices like diodes, transistors, etc.Analysis and modelling of both analog and digital...
QUCS image
CircuitMaker icon

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...
CircuitMaker image
TinyCAD icon

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...
TinyCAD image
Sprint-Layout icon

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...
Sprint-Layout image
LochMaster icon

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...
LochMaster image
DipTrace icon

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...
DipTrace image
LibrePCB icon

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...
LibrePCB image
GEDA Project icon

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...
GEDA Project image
Ngspice icon

Ngspice

Ngspice is an open-source circuit simulator for electronics and semiconductors. It is used for the simulation and analysis of analog, digital and mixed-signal circuits at the transistor and gate level. Ngspice is a successor to the popular Spice3 simulator and aims to improve upon it in several areas.Some key features...
Ngspice image
EasyEDA icon

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...
EasyEDA image
Qucs-S icon

Qucs-S

Qucs-S is an open-source circuit simulator application specialized for RF and microwave circuits. It is based on Qucs (Quite Universal Circuit Simulator) but focuses more on high-frequency circuit design.Some key features and capabilities of Qucs-S include:Simulation of different RF/microwave components like transmission lines, capacitors, inductors, resistors, etc.S-parameter simulation crucial for...
Qucs-S image
DesignSpark PCB icon

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...
Oregano icon

Oregano

Oregano is a free, open-source vector graphics editor for Linux operating systems. It is designed as an alternative to proprietary graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.Some of the key features of Oregano include:Tools for creating and editing vector shapes and Bezier curvesColor and gradient fillsText tools with...
Oregano image
PartSim icon

PartSim

PartSim is a versatile physics-based simulation software designed specifically for applications involving interacting parts. It enables users to realistically model and simulate the physical behavior of parts during assembly, disassembly, path planning, and other manufacturing or design processes.Some of the key features and capabilities of PartSim include:Rigid body dynamics for...
PartSim image
Solve Elec icon

Solve Elec

Solve Elec is a feature-rich electrical CAD (computer-aided design) software suite targeted for professional electrical engineers. It includes modules for schematic capture, analog/digital circuit simulation, and PCB layout design.Key features of Solve Elec:Intuitive and customizable user interface for efficient schematic design and capturePowerful analog and digital circuit simulation engines to...
Circuit Diagram icon

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...
Circuit Diagram image
CometCAD icon

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...
CometCAD image
PCB Elegance icon

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...
PCB Elegance image
AutoTRAX DEX icon

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...
AutoTRAX DEX image
OmniGlyph icon

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...
VUTRAX icon

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...
VUTRAX image