Introduction

Printed circuit board (PCB) design is a complex process that requires sophisticated software tools. With a wide range of solutions available, from free to enterprise-level, selecting the right PCB design software can be a challenge.

This comprehensive guide examines the top options on the market based on features, capabilities, advantages, limitations, learning curves and other key factors. We’ll provide an in-depth look at both paid and free PCB design software to help you determine the best fit for your needs and experience level.

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the critical considerations for PCB design software selection so you can confidently choose the optimal platform. Whether you’re a hobbyist, student, or professional, this review covers all the best tools for PCB layout and schematic capture.

Overview of PCB Design Stages

To start, let’s briefly summarize the typical stages and workflows involved in PCB design using EDA (electronic design automation) software:

Schematic Capture

• Draw circuit schematic showing components and connectivity

PCB Layout

• Translate schematic into physical PCB layout
• Place components and route traces
• Complete board artwork including silkscreen, soldermask, drawings etc

Design Verification

• Run design rule checks
• Simulate and validate pre-manufacturing

Outputs and Documentation

• Generate Gerber, NC drill, BOM, fabrication/assembly files
• Export reports like schematics, drawings, user manual etc

This simplified design flow highlights the core capabilities needed in PCB design software. More advanced tools will offer additional features like high-speed design, signal integrity analysis, thermal modeling and more. Let’s now dive into the top options available.

Professional Grade PCB Design Software

For engineers designing complex, high-performance boards that will ultimately ramp to volume production, these professional-grade solutions provide the most robust toolset. They come with a steeper learning curve and higher cost, but enable expert users to tackle the most demanding PCB projects.

Altium Designer

Overview: Flagship PCB design solution from Altium with advanced capabilities for electronics industry professionals. Provides complete design workflow including schematic capture, interactive routing, and comprehensive design documentation.

Key Features

• Unified design environment integrates schematic, PCB, FPGA, embedded software
• Interactive routing with real-time DRC, 3D clearance checking
• High-speed design with constraint management, signal integrity analysis
• Manufacturing documentation like Gerber, BOM, pick and place, NC drill
• Scripting and programming for automation and customization

Benefits

• All-in-one design workflow streamlines project development
• Mature toolsets for high complexity and performance
• Customizable reporting and outputs for manufacturing handoff
• Scalable licensing for individuals, teams, or enterprise

Limitations

• Very steep learning curve to utilize full functionality
• High cost licensing model
• Overkill features for simpler layouts

Overall, Altium Designer remains the industry standard for advanced PCB design applications like high-speed digital, FPGA, RF, flexible circuits, and more. The comprehensive toolset justifies the premium cost for organizations and expert users doing complex work.

Cadence Allegro

Overview: Full featured PCB design solution from Cadence that integrates schematic capture, layout, simulation, and analysis. Widely used at semiconductor and electronics companies for production-level designs.

Key Features

• Robust schematic editor with part creation, reuse, variant management
• Constraint-driven, high-speed board layout with real-time DRC
• Integrated signal and power integrity, thermal analysis
• DAG/GERBER data generation, NC drill, fabrication drawing outputs
• Revision control, design partitioning and reuse

Benefits

• Advanced tools for large teams and enterprise environments
• High performance design rule and constraint management
• Automation capabilities to speed complex workflows
• Scales well for massive designs and layouts

Limitations

• Very expensive licensing model
• Long learning curve to master workflows
• Overkill for simpler or low volume boards

Cadence Allegro provides everything needed for advanced PCB development at large semiconductor, aerospace, auto, and electronics companies. Like Altium, it’s over-tooled for simpler applications, but offers the capabilities to handle extremely complex designs destined for volume production.

Mentor Graphics Xpedition

Overview: Another leading enterprise-level PCB design solution used widely in aerospace, defense, IoT, automotive, and high-tech. Integrated, high-speed focused toolset.

Key Features

• Unified design workflow with schematic, layout, autorouter
• Integrated Design for Manufacturing (DFM) tools
• High-speed planning, constraint management
• Advanced signal/power integrity, thermal analysis
• Scripting, design automation, data management

Benefits

• Robust toolset proven in mission-critical applications
• Automation and integration optimizes complex workflows
• Scales across entire organizations and supply chains

Limitations

• Very high cost limits accessibility
• Long learning curve, suited for experts
• Overbuilt for simpler or prototype designs

Xpedition is comparable to Altium and Allegro for large organizations doing cutting edge PCB work that needs advanced analysis and automation. The extensive capabilities justify the cost for these demanding applications.

Other Options

• Zuken CR-8000 – PCB and multi-board system design solution
• Siemens NX PCB – Integrated within Siemens NX software ecosystem
• Pads Professional – Now offered by Mentor Graphics after acquisition

While Altium, Cadence, and Mentor dominate the high-end market, these alternatives are also capable tools for enterprise-level applications in aerospace, defense, industrial, infrastructure, and other engineering intensive industries.

Mid-range PCB Design Software

For small-medium businesses, freelance engineers, and non-enterprise users, these mid-range solutions offer a solid set of schematic capture and PCB layout tools without the excessive cost and complexity of high-end systems.

Eagle by Autodesk

Overview: Very popular PCB design tool used by hobbyists, makers, and smaller organizations due to affordable pricing, available free version, and approachable interface. Owned by Autodesk.

Key Features

• Easy to learn and intuitive UX for beginners
• Good for simple to moderately complex designs
• Affordable pricing tiers by capability
• Extensive component libraries
• Large user community provides support

Benefits

• Low cost of entry for individuals and startups
• More functionality than free tools
• Sufficient for many non-demanding applications
• Lots of online tutorials and educational content

Limitations

• Limited capabilities for advanced boards
• DRC engine can miss errors
• Weak high-speed, SI, thermal analysis
• Output documentation capabilities weaker

Eagle strikes a nice balance between cost and functionality making it accessible for smaller scale PCB work. The interface simplifies basic layout tasks. But performance, analysis and documentation tools are lacking compared to enterprise solutions.

KiCad

Overview: Fully open-source PCB design tool popular for its zero cost licensing, cross-platform support, and active community development. lighter weight than commercial alternatives but rapidly improving through open source contributions.

Key Features

• Fully free and open source under GNU GPL v3
• Cross platform Windows, Mac, Linux
• Schematic capture and PCB layout
• Component/footprint libraries and 3D models
• Import Eagle and Altium files

Benefits

• Zero cost makes it accessible to everyone
• Great entry point for learning PCB design
• Allows customization and extensibility
• Constant community enhancements and plugins

Limitations

• Still missing some advanced/high-speed features
• Steeper learning curve than Eagle
• Limited documentation and support resources
• Weaker simulation, analysis, documentation capabilities

KiCad lacks some polished commercial capabilities but makes up for it through free access, community support, and constant improvements. A great option for open source projects, hobbyists, and lightweight workflows. Rapidly evolving.

Other Options

• DipTrace – Affordable, proprietary mid-range PCB design tool
• Altium Circuit Maker – Free PCB layout tool but limited features
• Design Spark PCB – Free schematic and layout tool from RS Components

This category offers lighter weight, more affordable solutions compared to enterprise tools while still providing solid PCB design capabilities, making them ideal for smaller organizations, individuals, startups and other users without demanding analysis needs.

Simplified PCB Design Software

For beginners just getting started with PCB layout and want something easy to learn, these simplified tools enable basic board design with a gentle learning curve and intuitive interface. However, functionality is limited so may be quickly outgrown.

EasyEDA

Overview: Popular entry-level online PCB design tool and community that provides easy to use free layout software and low cost manufacturing through JLPCB.

Key Features

• Super easy to get started and learn
• Free online access, nothing to install
• Basic PCB layout with instant pricing/quoting
• Community support to guide beginners

Benefits

• Allows first-timers and students to try PCB design at no cost
• Seamless path to affordable manufacturing via JLCPCB
• Component libraries, documentation to aid learning

Limitations

• Very limited features and capabilities
• Can only design 2-layer boards up to 100x100mm
• No schematic, simulation, analysis features

EasyEDA is a great starting point for total beginners to get a taste of simple PCB layout. But functionality and capabilities are very constrained relative to paid tools so may be quickly outgrown.

Fritzing

Overview: Open source electronic design automation software focused on making PCB design approachable for artists, designers, hobbyists, and other new users through a breadboard style interface.

Key Features

• Easy to get started breadboard style UI
• Open source software, available for free
• Allows basic single-sided PCB layout
• Extensive component library

Benefits

• Excellent software for beginners to learn with
• Breadboard view provides an intuitive starting point
• Large user community for help and support

Limitations

• Very limited PCB layout capabilities
• No schematic capture or simulation features
• Output documentation and manufacturing capabilities weak

Fritzing is an outstanding introduction to PCB design aimed at total beginners through its innovative breadboard interface. But designs are limited to single layer boards and functionality tops out quickly.

Other Options

• PCBWeb – Online limited capability layout tool good for beginners
• CircuitMaker – Basic layout with limited features but easy startup

These tools lower the barrier to entry through intuitive, simplified interfaces. Great for early learning. But lack the functionality for complex boards destined for production.

Specialized PCB Design Software

Beyond general purpose design tools, there are more specialized solutions tailored for specific applications like high-speed design, simulation, documentation, and more. These are most relevant to engineering organizations and advanced users.

High-Speed Design

• Polar SI9000 – Constraint manager, impedance tuning
• Tricentis TimingDesigner – Analysis, optimization, PCB delay prediction

Simulation and Analysis

• Ansys HFSS – High frequency electromagnetic field simulation
• Ansys SIwave – Power integrity, signal integrity analysis
• Ansys Icepak – Thermal modeling and management

Design Reuse and Collaboration

• Altium 365 – Cloud platform for collaboration, data management
• Arena PLM – Product lifecycle management, BOM, change management

Documentation

• Pulsonix – Design documentation, schematic generation
• Zuken IDF – Publishing, visualization, technical illustrations

Manufacturing

• Mentor Valor NPI – New product introduction (NPI) automation
• Kicad StepUp – Kicad integration for manufacturing workflows

This covers just a sampling of specialized tools available to augment broader PCB design software with targeted capabilities for analysis, simulation, collaboration, reporting, NPI and other workflows.

Comparing PCB Design Software

To summarize the options and key differences, here is a comparison table of popular PCB design software:

Software	Learning Curve	Cost	Key Applications
Altium Designer	Very High	$$$$	Advanced, enterprise
Cadence Allegro	Very High	$$$$	Advanced, enterprise
Mentor Xpedition	Very High	$$$$	Advanced, enterprise
Eagle	Moderate	$$	Mainstream, prototyping
KiCad	Moderate	Free	Mainstream, open source
EasyEDA	Very Low	Free	Beginners, hobbyists
Fritzing	Very Low	Free	Beginners, hobbyists

This simplifies the landscape into three main tiers:

Advanced Solutions – High complexity, analysis, volume mfg

Mainstream Solutions – Moderate complexity, prototyping

Entry-level Solutions – Low complexity, early learning

Selecting the right category depends on your projects, experience, budget, and other factors covered in this guide.

Key Considerations for PCB Design Software

As a summary, here are some of the most crucial factors to weigh when evaluating PCB design tools for your needs:

• Functionality – Schematic, layout, routing, libraries, DRC, outputs etc
• Analysis Tools – Signal integrity, power integrity, thermal etc
• Simulation Capabilities – Modeling, constraint management
• Documentation – Reporting outputs and standards
• Manufacturing Features – DFM integration, automation
• IP Security – Data protection, encryption, access control
• Licensing Costs – Upfront purchase, subscription, free
• Learning Curve – Easy to advanced UX
• Ecosystem – Support resources, community, integrations

Prioritizing these criteria will help zero in on the right solution for any experience level, design scenario, organization size, or budget.

Recommendations

For a quick personalized recommendation based on your needs:

• Beginners – Start with Fritzing or EasyEDA for a gentle introduction to PCB layout. Don’t invest in advanced tools if just starting out or doing simple boards. Can upgrade later as experience grows.
• Hobbyists – KiCad, Eagle or DipTrace offer a good set of features at low or no cost for personal non-commercial projects. Lots of component libraries and community support.
• Small Businesses – Eagle is an affordable option that scales from prototyping to production for small organizations. KiCad is another option if seeking open source.
• Advanced Users – Altium Designer remains the gold standard for high complexity, high speed design for enterprise and advanced engineering applications.
• Enterprise Teams – Altium, Cadence Allegro, Mentor Xpedition provide robust solutions for large organizations and mission critical applications, but at premium pricing.

Conclusion

This guide covered the key factors to consider when selecting a PCB design software solution. The optimal choice depends on your experience level, design complexity, organization size, budget and other requirements. Simplified entry-level tools allow beginners to get started and learn the basics, while advanced solutions provide sophisticated capabilities needed for complex, high performance boards destined for volume production environments.

With an understanding of the features, strengths and limitations across this spectrum, you can zero in on the right platform to meet your current and future needs as a hobbyist, professional, student or engineer. The world of electronics innovation is increasingly empowered by access to powerful yet affordable PCB design software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest PCB design software for beginners?

For beginners, Fritzing and EasyEDA have the most gentle learning curve. The breadboard style view in Fritzing provides an intuitive starting point. EasyEDA’s simple online editor is also very approachable. Both allow anyone to start creating basic PCB layouts quickly.

Is Eagle or KiCad better for PCB design?

Eagle generally has a more polished, easier to learn interface compared to KiCad. But KiCad offers more advanced features like differential pair routing that are missing in Eagle. And KiCad continues to improve rapidly through community development. KiCad is also free while Eagle has license fees. For more advanced users, KiCad likely edges out Eagle in capabilities today.

Can you design PCBs with free software?

Yes, there are fully free options for PCB design including KiCad and Fritzing that provide schematic capture and board layout tools without any license cost. The capabilities are more limited compared to paid solutions, but open source communities continue to enhance these tools. EasyEDA is another free online PCB layout option.

What software do professional PCB designers use?

In enterprise, industrial, aerospace, and other advanced engineering companies, common PCB design software includes Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, and Mentor Graphics Xpedition. These full-featured professional tools have advanced capabilities but also demand a premium in licensing costs.

Is PCB design software expensive?

It depends on the capabilities. Entry-level software for beginners is either free (Fritzing, EasyEDA) or very affordable (Eagle). Mid-range tools like Eagle and DipTrace cost $100-$1000+. Full enterprise solutions like Altium and Cadence are very expensive, $10,000+. But for many small-medium applications, even free software like KiCad can be sufficient.