TLDR: Short on time and want to jump straight to the answer?
As per our research, the best PCB Design Software for most people is CircuitMaker.
A PCB (Printed circuit board) design software is used to create PCB layouts for various devices. PCB design software is used by designers and engineers to generate design files for prototype boards and larger systems. Designing PCBs is a multi-step process involving design, qualification, validation, and certification. The purpose of a PCB design software is to streamline the design and validation stages involved with producing custom printed circuit boards (including prototype boards for testing and validation). By automating the process and providing a level of quality control normally associated with high-end manufacturing, PCB design software can save time, money, and effort while completing important steps in the manufacturing process. These applications are used by engineers in numerous industries including aerospace, automotive, educational, healthcare, government, and other specialty trade and service organizations.
After researching dozens of PCB Design Software options available in the market today, we have compiled this list of top 8 PCB Design Software to help you find the perfect solution based on your specific needs.
The 8 Best PCB Design Software
Here are our top picks for the best PCB Design Software,
- CircuitMaker – Overall Best PCB Design Software
- Altium – Simple and Easy to Use Circuit Design Software for Beginners
- Autodesk Eagle – Most Popular PCB Software
- EasyEDA – Most Versatile Online Circuit Maker Software for Flexibility and Customization
- Cadence – Best Circuit Board Design Software with Fast and Reliable Support
- KiCAD EDA – Most Affordable PCB Layout Software
- OrCAD PCB Designer – Best Freemium Schematic Design Software
- DesignSpark PCB Software – Top Rated Circuit Design Software
So, let’s read on further to get a complete idea of our top PCB Design Software picks for this year.
1. CircuitMaker – Overall Best PCB Design Software
Circuitmaker is the best free pcb design software by altium for open source hardware designers, makers, students and hobbyists. Free pcb design software – circuitmaker.
2. Altium – Simple and Easy to Use Circuit Design Software for Beginners
The best pcb design software and high-powered tools for pcb designers. Industry-leading schematic capture, layout and prototyping tools. Eda / Cad. Pcb design software & tools – altium.
3. Autodesk Eagle – Most Popular PCB Software
Autodesk eagle is pcb design software. Create and design printed circuit boards for you project using these tools and resources. Pcb design software – printed circuit boards – autodesk.
4. EasyEDA – Most Versatile Online Circuit Maker Software for Flexibility and Customization
Easyeda is a free and easy to use circuit design, circuit simulator and pcb design that runs in your web browser. Easyeda – online pcb design & circuit simulator SVG-battery SVG-battery-WiFi SVG-books SVG-more SVG-paste SVG-pencil SVG-plant SVG-ruler SVG-share SVG-user easyedalogo SVG-logo-CN SVG-double-arrow.
5. Cadence – Best Circuit Board Design Software with Fast and Reliable Support
Cadence allegro pcb designer offers the leading physical/Electrical constraint-driven pcb layout/Interconnect system. Allegro pcb designer speeds up designs from placement, routing through manufacturing with powerful features as design partitioning, rf design capabilities, interconnect design plan. Allegro pcb designer.
6. KiCAD EDA – Most Affordable PCB Layout Software
Open source eda / Electronics cad software for windows, macos and linux. Use schematic capture, create pcb designs and view them in 3d, all forever free. Kicad eda – schematic capture & pcb design software.
7. OrCAD PCB Designer – Best Freemium Schematic Design Software
Orcad pcb design software – printed circuit board design, pcb layout, and routing software for professional pcb designers. Printed circuit board design software.
8. DesignSpark PCB Software – Top Rated Schematic Design Software
Designspark pcb is the world’s most accessible and comprehensive, full function, free electronics pcb design software, turning your circuit ideas into testable boards, faster. Designspark pcb software.
Final Thoughts – Best PCB Design Software
The right PCB Design Software for you, depends on your specific needs, of course. Most of our top PCB Design Software picks include a free trial, so don’t be shy about trying a few different brands until you find a perfect fit.
In review, here are our top 8 picks for the best PCB Design Software.
| Name | Use Case | Website Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1. CircuitMaker | Overall Best PCB Design Software | Try Now |
| 2. Altium | Simple and Easy to Use Circuit Design Software for Beginners | Try Now |
| 3. Autodesk Eagle | Most Popular PCB Software | Try Now |
| 4. EasyEDA | Most Versatile Online Circuit Maker Software for Flexibility and Customization | Try Now |
| 5. Cadence | Best Circuit Board Design Software with Fast and Reliable Support | Try Now |
| 6. KiCAD EDA | Most Affordable PCB Layout Software | Try Now |
| 7. OrCAD PCB Designer | Best Freemium Schematic Design Software | Try Now |
| 8. DesignSpark PCB Software | Top Rated Circuit Design Software | Try Now |
We hope that you found this guide helpful in choosing the best PCB Design Software for your specific needs. Feel free to share the article with your friends and help spread the knowledge.
