Best PCB Design Softwares

What is PCB Design Software?

PCB design software is a specialized tool that allows engineers and designers to create the layout of printed circuit boards (PCBs). These tools facilitate the design, testing, and manufacturing of PCBs by providing features such as schematic capture, component placement, routing, and simulation. PCB design software is essential in ensuring that electronic components are correctly interconnected, optimizing performance, and minimizing errors before production.

Caption: PCB Design Software Illustration

Key Features to Look for in PCB Design Software

When selecting PCB design software, consider the following features:

• User Interface: A user-friendly interface is vital for efficiency, especially for beginners.
• Design Capabilities: Look for tools that support multi-layer design, 3D visualization, and comprehensive component libraries.
• Integration and Compatibility: The ability to integrate with other CAD tools and support various file formats ensures seamless workflow.
• Simulation and Testing: Built-in simulation tools allow for virtual testing, reducing the risk of errors in the final product.
• Cost and Licensing Options: Evaluate the cost, whether it’s a one-time payment, subscription, or free with limited features.

Benefits of Using PCB Design Software

Using PCB design software offers several benefits:

• Increased Efficiency: Automated processes streamline the design workflow, saving time and effort.
• Improved Accuracy: Precision tools reduce human errors, leading to more reliable designs.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Many tools offer features for real-time collaboration, allowing teams to work together seamlessly.
• Cost-Effective Prototyping: Virtual prototyping and simulation reduce the need for physical prototypes, saving on material costs.

Best PCB Design Software

Features

PCB Artist of Advanced Circuits is a powerful software resource for electronics engineers finding a solution that is intuitive and simple to use. Electronics engineers often prefer PCB Artist as it enables them to save money and time.

Reviews

“The software is quite good, except it does not output Gerber files. In the version I used, the PCB file format requires you to use advanced circuits for manufacturing. Despite its deceptively simple-looking toolbars, very great depth is in the right-click menus. It keeps the new user experience from being overwhelming.”—FreewareFiles.

2. Ultiboard

Features

With its transparent, software-centric platform that leverages modular hardware and an expansive ecosystem, National Instruments accelerates technological performance.  Electronics engineers explicitly choose the Utiliboard of National Instruments because it offers a quick PCB prototyping environment for multiple applications.

Reviews

“It’s a NI instrument product, and as usual, it’s student-centric. Your expectation should not be like the professional tools out there in the market like Altium or Orcad. However, we find it easy to learn.”——G2

3. Altium Designer 17

Features

A tech company offering engineering tools for designing electronics based on PCs, Altium presents Designer 17. Many in the industry consider this PCB modeling program to be the gold standard for electronics engineers. Altium Designer 17 is valid, user-friendly, and satisfies the evolving demands of qualified engineers and technicians.

Reviews

“Altium Designer has thousands of advanced features to design PCBs. I like the ability to make files of the PCB to send online PCB manufacturing services. Altium supports a 3D view, and we can see how to fit PCB on my CAD design. Altium has thousands of flexible design rules and auto-routing options.”——Capterra

4. Solidworks PCB 

Features

SOLIDWORKS provides powerful design technology for an electronic circuit, with the on-demand bi-directional integration with SOLIDWORKS CAD. And their PCB solution incorporates CAD and PCB design for seamless collaboration.

Reviews

“Version control implemented, and it supports with previously designed PCBs using Altium designer. Footprints and the 3d models of the components can easily design. It supports the libraries used in the Altium designer. And also, it supports earlier PCBs that are designed using Altium designer.” ——G2

5. DipTrace

Features

DipTrace is an electronics engineering PCB design software tool that includes an interactive design and great functionality. DipTrace offers smart manual routing and a form-based automatic router for PCB layout. Electronics engineers recommend DipTrace with direct circuit-to-board conversion, schematic updating, and back-annotation for its single setting.

Reviews

“DipTrace is one of the few PCB CAD software which is very user friendly. One can just start working without an event need to learn it. The GUI is designed in such a way that it’s straightforward to understand what I have to do for my need.” ——G2

6. PCBWeb Designer

Features

PCBWeb is a free CAD program for electronic development and manufacturing. It has a multi-page design schematic shot, multilayer support for the printed circuit board layout, and a broad range of details.

By using this popular PCB program, multi-sheeted schemes can produce with a fast and easy to use wiring tool. Even you can direct multilayer boards with copper fill support and DRC checks. Additionally, you can find an integrated list of Arrow information with a specification manager.

Reviews

“The tool is easy to use. It lets you generate Gerbers, shares your project through Publish, and create custom parts. I think the integration of Digi-key parts in the tool is a big thing. Not all tools have this. Add to that the freedom of the users to choose from different board houses. On the contrary, there are still many areas that need improvement. But, seeing that the tool is still young, it’s a nice start. I would love to see the tool to improve in the future. It has a lot of potentials.” ——PCBShopper

7. BSch3V

Features

BSch3V is a prominent PCB design computer program for electronics engineers needing a free solution from Suigyodo Online. BSch3V is a schematic capture program for Windows Vista/7/8/10 and has simple operating features.

Reviews

“BSch3V is a schematic capture program for Windows Vista/7/8/10. The name “BSch” is an abbreviation of “Basic Schematic.” It has only essential functions to simplify operation.”——report

8. Circuits

Features

Electrical engineer Tim Edwards develops and manages XCircuit, electronic design automation (EDA) tool, and a schematic capture system for presentations. Electronics engineers render XCircuit part of their PCB application software toolbox while drawing worth publishing-quality schematic circuit diagrams and related figures and generating network circuit lists via schematic capture.

Reviews

“Circuit components are kept in and recovered from fully editable libraries. the circuit does not isolate artistic expression from circuit drawing; it maintains flexibility in style without compromising the power of schematic capture.”——wiki.TCL-lang

9. Gerbv

Features

Gerbv is a free software Gerber file viewer, available on Sourceforge only for RS-274X. Electronics engineers may install several files with Gerbv on top of each other.

Reviews

“It solves so many issues. Now I can see how screwed my mask and paste layers are! The only thing missing is remembering where I left it, every time you open the viewer, you have to size it to fit your screen, no big.” ——SOURCEFORGE

10. KiCad

Features

KiCad is an open-source and cross-platform electronic design automation program that works with Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can build your design with the circuit editor without any limitations. There are no paid networks to access features, as well.

The authorized symbols repository and the built-in symbols editor enable you to work on your projects quickly. Using up to 32 layers of Copper, you will be able to build professional PCB layouts.

This free PCB layout program comes with a push and shoves router that can route differential pairs and change trace lengths dynamically.

Reviews

“The easy to use interface and the comprehensive component library made it a very effective one. All the components can found online, so no need to create a customized.”——G2

11. DesignSpark PCB

Features

DesignSpark PCB is a typical and straightforward to learn free PCB design tool for circuit capture and electronic design automation arrangement of printed circuit boards. This innovative approach relies on a powerful software engine for capturing circuits, circuit boards, and layouts.

It is indeed popular with numerous users, from students to professionals. It is also the most excellent 3D modeling program that can create 3D views for your design’s real-time visualization.

This program offers plenty of video tutorials on different topics related to software design and other useful tips. You can upload the required information using its library to develop your project quickly.

Reviews

“A very well designed and quite capable once you learn your way around the application. I managed to design a rather dense 4-layer PCB with 0.5 mm pitch QFNs and six mil trace/spacing without encountering any serious issues.”——PCBShopper

12. Eagle

Features

EAGLE is an Electronic Structural Automation (EDA) program that enables PCB developers to easily link schematic diagrams, configurations of components, circuit board routing, and extensive library material. It just comes with a subscription to the Fusion 360.

With this PCB board design program, you can use SPICE simulation methods to test ideas quickly and quickly check the circuit output. All changes are synchronized automatically between your layout and the models so that you can focus on the creative process.

Reviews

“Autodesk eagle software best in design for multilayers single-sided and double-sided boards. All tools are simple and easy to know, and products are good for design. We can design a PCB board for simple and medium-size complex boards are fast. Best & faster for the schematic design and board design and component placement.”——G2

Conclusion

Choosing the right PCB design software is crucial for your project’s success. Whether you’re a beginner starting with a free tool or a professional considering a paid solution, understanding the features and benefits of each option is key. Explore different tools, take advantage of free trials, and select the one that best fits your needs.