Best Circuit Board Design Software: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are the backbone of modern electronics, playing a critical role in virtually every electronic device we use today. Whether you're designing a simple circuit or a complex multilayer board, having the right PCB design software is essential to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and overall success. This guide will walk you through some of the best circuit board design software options available in 2024, considering factors like usability, features, pricing, and suitability for different project sizes.

1. Altium Designer

Overview: Altium Designer is one of the most popular and powerful PCB design tools in the industry. Known for its comprehensive suite of features, it provides an all-in-one solution for designing complex PCBs.

Key Features:

• Unified Design Environment: Altium Designer offers a seamless integration of schematic capture, PCB layout, and design rule checking (DRC) within a single interface.
• Advanced Routing Tools: The software includes auto-routing capabilities, differential pair routing, and length tuning, which are essential for high-speed designs.
• Component Libraries: Altium Designer has extensive component libraries and supports various import/export formats, making it easier to manage and integrate components.

Pros:

• Industry-standard tool with widespread adoption.
• Robust feature set tailored for professional use.
• Excellent customer support and extensive documentation.

Cons:

• High cost, making it less accessible for hobbyists or small startups.
• Steep learning curve, especially for beginners.

Best For: Professional PCB designers and large organizations working on complex, high-speed, or multilayer boards.

2. Autodesk Eagle

Overview: Eagle, a product of Autodesk, is another well-known PCB design software that offers a good balance between usability and functionality. It is widely used by both professionals and hobbyists.

Key Features:

• Schematic Editor: Eagle provides an intuitive schematic editor that allows for easy creation and modification of circuit diagrams.
• Component Library: Like Altium, Eagle has a vast component library and allows users to create custom parts.
• Modular Design Blocks: Eagle allows designers to reuse modular blocks of circuitry, which can save time and ensure consistency across designs.

Pros:

• Affordable pricing with a free version available for smaller projects.
• Active community support, with numerous tutorials and resources online.
• Cross-platform compatibility, available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to Altium Designer.
• The free version has restrictions on board size and layer count.

Best For: Small to medium-sized projects, hobbyists, and educational purposes.

3. KiCad

Overview: KiCad is an open-source PCB design tool that has gained significant traction in recent years. It is a great option for those looking for a free yet powerful alternative to commercial software.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: KiCad is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Schematic Capture and Layout Tool: The software offers integrated tools for schematic capture and PCB layout, with no restrictions on board size or number of layers.
• 3D Viewer: KiCad includes a 3D viewer to visualize the PCB and its components in a more realistic way.

Pros:

• Completely free and open-source, with regular updates from a dedicated community.
• No limitations on project size or complexity.
• Growing library of components and footprints.

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced features found in paid software.
• The user interface may feel less polished compared to commercial alternatives.

Best For: Hobbyists, students, and professionals looking for a free, capable PCB design tool.

4. OrCAD

Overview: OrCAD, developed by Cadence, is a robust PCB design suite that is particularly favored in industries that require high reliability and precision, such as aerospace and automotive.

Key Features:

• Schematic Capture and PCB Layout: OrCAD offers powerful tools for both schematic capture and PCB layout, with advanced simulation and analysis capabilities.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): OrCAD includes built-in DFM tools to ensure that designs can be easily manufactured.
• Simulation Tools: The software offers PSpice for analog circuit simulation, which is a valuable tool for testing circuit behavior before fabrication.

Pros:

• Advanced simulation and analysis features.
• Strong focus on reliability and manufacturability.
• Integration with other Cadence tools for a comprehensive design environment.

Cons:

• Expensive, making it less accessible for small businesses or hobbyists.
• Can be complex and time-consuming to master.

Best For: High-reliability industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.

5. EasyEDA

Overview: EasyEDA is a cloud-based PCB design tool that is particularly popular among hobbyists and small startups. It offers a user-friendly interface with the added benefit of cloud storage and collaboration.

Key Features:

• Web-Based Interface: EasyEDA runs entirely in the browser, eliminating the need for installation and allowing for easy access from any device.
• Component Libraries: It features a vast library of components and modules, including those from major manufacturers like LCSC.
• Online Collaboration: EasyEDA allows multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, making it ideal for collaborative projects.

Pros:

• Free to use with a cloud-based platform.
• Intuitive and beginner-friendly interface.
• Seamless integration with JLCPCB for quick prototyping and manufacturing.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to desktop-based software.
• Dependent on an internet connection for access and use.

Best For: Beginners, hobbyists, and small teams working on simple to moderately complex projects.

6. Proteus

Overview: Proteus by Labcenter Electronics is a unique PCB design tool that integrates both circuit simulation and PCB layout, making it an excellent choice for designing and testing microcontroller-based circuits.

Key Features:

• Simulation Capabilities: Proteus allows for real-time simulation of microcontrollers and analog/digital circuits, making it easier to test designs before physical implementation.
• Schematic Capture and Layout: The software offers robust tools for schematic capture and PCB layout, with a focus on ease of use.
• 3D Visualization: Proteus includes a 3D visualization tool to help designers better understand the physical layout of the PCB.

Pros:

• Excellent for designing and testing microcontroller-based circuits.
• Integrated simulation reduces the need for physical prototypes.
• User-friendly interface with a focus on educational use.

Cons:

• Simulation can be resource-intensive, requiring a powerful computer.
• Limited to microcontroller and analog/digital circuit designs, not ideal for RF or high-speed designs.

Best For: Educators, students, and professionals designing microcontroller-based systems.

7. DipTrace

Overview: DipTrace is a PCB design software that emphasizes ease of use without sacrificing functionality. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced designers.

Key Features:

• Schematic Capture: DipTrace provides a user-friendly schematic capture tool with hierarchical and multi-sheet design capabilities.
• PCB Layout: The software supports both 2D and 3D PCB layout, with features like auto-placement and auto-routing.
• Component Libraries: DipTrace includes extensive component libraries and allows for easy creation of custom components.

Pros:

• Intuitive interface that is easy to learn.
• Flexible licensing options, including a free version with limitations.
• Good balance of features for both simple and complex designs.

Cons:

• Limited community support compared to more established software.
• Some advanced features may require additional modules or licenses.

Best For: Small businesses, startups, and hobbyists looking for a balance between usability and functionality.

8. CircuitMaker

Overview: CircuitMaker, developed by Altium, is a free PCB design tool aimed at the maker community. It offers a simplified version of Altium Designer, making it accessible for hobbyists and small projects.

Key Features:

• Community Collaboration: CircuitMaker allows users to share and collaborate on designs with other members of the community.
• Schematic Capture and PCB Layout: The software offers robust tools for schematic capture and PCB layout, similar to those found in Altium Designer but with fewer advanced features.
• Cloud Storage: All projects are stored in the cloud, making it easy to access and collaborate from anywhere.

Pros:

• Free to use with no limitations on board size or layers.
• Strong community support with a focus on collaboration.
• Simplified interface based on Altium Designer.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to Altium Designer.
• Reliant on cloud storage, which may not be ideal for all users.

Best For: Hobbyists, makers, and small teams looking for a free, collaborative PCB design tool.

Conclusion

Choosing the right PCB design software depends on the specific needs of your project, your level of experience, and your budget. Whether you're a professional working on complex designs or a hobbyist just starting, there is a PCB design tool that can meet your needs. Altium Designer and OrCAD are excellent choices for professionals requiring advanced features, while KiCad and EasyEDA offer great options for those looking for free or low-cost solutions. Eagle and DipTrace provide a good middle ground with balanced features and affordability. Meanwhile, Proteus and CircuitMaker cater to specific niches, such as microcontroller design and community collaboration.

Ultimately, the best software is the one that aligns with your design requirements and workflow preferences.