PCB Design Software lists

Altium Designer(AD)

• Entry-level design software with simple operation and a clean interface. Many engineering colleges offer courses specifically for learning AD.
• Faster layout design for simple circuits.
• Allows electronic engineers to focus more on design than on processes, thanks to technological assistance.
• Offers convenient features such as zooming, panning with the mouse, hole modification with Shift+W, and wire width modification with Shift+V.
• Provides a fast way to find similar objects and edit attributes uniformly.
• Integration of schematic and PCB layout tools allows designers to easily achieve bidirectional conversion between schematic and design.

• Controversies exist regarding vias and poor routing, as the drawn traces are thicker compared to other tools, making designers less adaptable to handling detailed issues.
• Many advantages rely on shortcut functions, requiring substantial memorization, which may pose a challenge for beginners.
• Caution is advised for professional projects, as compared to other tools, AD is more suitable for basic circuit structures and has limitations for multi-layer PCB. Projects with more than six layers are not recommended.

KiCad EDA

• Suitable for circuit designs ranging from simple to complex, supporting up to 32 layers.
• Provides an integrated design environment, eliminating the need to use multiple programs simultaneously.
• Has relatively low hardware requirements and can run on lower-configured computers.
• Offers a rich design resource package that can be downloaded and installed for immediate use.

• Component and library management may be somewhat complex for new users.
• Reported some stack-based buffer overflow issues in past versions.

DesignSpark

• Comprehensive library of 3D part models of various types.
• Effective testing of designs through simulation experiments.
• Ability to combine multiple different design elements to create a more complex overall assembly.
• No restrictions on schematic dimensions.

• DesignSpark’s component library may be relatively small, and sometimes you may need to add or create some custom components manually.
• Not entirely free, as certain advanced features require an upgraded version.
• Primarily supports the Windows operating system, so macOS and Linux users may need to run it through a virtual machine or other methods.
• Excessive reliance on online resources, can affect the user experience in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Eagle

• Offers excellent value for money, even in the paid versions.
• Provides a lightweight, simple, and precise schematic editor.
• Supports electrical rule checks and netlist generation.
• Annotations move back and forth between schematics and printed circuit boards.
• Automatic synchronization between schematics and circuit boards, with automated Gerber design file output.

• The interface design is significantly different from other PCB board layout software, which may require some adaptation.
• Difficult to achieve high-speed layouts.

PADS

• Powerful automatic router.
• Provides considerations for thermal design analysis.
• Supports various high-end modules.
• Allows engineers to use three-dimensional models in design.

• Integration of more features leads to higher computer resource usage, potentially causing lag on older or lower-performance computers.
• Primarily supports the Windows operating system.
• Requires regular maintenance and updates to stay compatible with new hardware and operating systems.
• The functionality may be too complex for DIY enthusiasts, making it more suitable for commercial projects.

Allegro

• A comprehensive and integrated EDA editing software covering multiple areas from IC design to PCB design, enabling engineers to complete various design tasks in a unified environment.
• Highly customizable to cater to different types of design projects, offering dynamic concurrent team design capabilities.
• Performs exceptionally well in simulating circuits and validating design performance.
• Provides users with training, documentation, and technical support to help them address issues and make the most of the tool.
• Offers a rich IP core library, facilitating rapid design without the need to build each component from scratch.

• It is considerably more expensive than other PCB layout editors, which may not be practical for individual engineers or small teams.
• License management can become complex and may require dedicated IT support.
• Requires a high-performance computer to run complex design projects.