PCB Alternatives

PCB is described as 'Interactive printed circuit board editor for the X11 window system. PCB includes a rats nest feature, design rule checking, and can provide industry standard RS-274-X (Gerber), NC drill, and centroid data (X-Y data) output for use in the board fabrication and assembly' and is an app in the education & reference category. There are more than 10 alternatives to PCB for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and Flathub apps. The best PCB alternative is KiCad, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like PCB are Fritzing, Autodesk EAGLE, Proteus PCB design and Altium Designer.

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Alternatives list

  1. KiCad icon

    KiCad

     121 likes
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    KiCad is an open source software suite for electronic design automation (EDA) - designing schematics of electronic circuits and printed circuit boards (PCB). KiCad is developed by Jean-Pierre Charras. And features an integrated environment between schematic capture, bill of...

    59 KiCad alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Docker
    PcbNew - Editor
     
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    1
    Comments about KiCad as an Alternative to PCB
    Tan Akinci
    Positive
    0

    Amazing variety of tools and libraries. Becomes better day by day.

    PCB Icon
    KiCad icon

    • KiCad is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to PCB.

    • KiCad is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to PCB.

    • KiCad is Free and Open SourcePCB is also Free and Open Source
    • KiCad is LightweightPCB is not according to our users
  2. Fritzing icon

    Fritzing

     108 likes
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    Open-source initiative aiding designers, artists, and researchers in transforming prototypes to actual products, documenting circuits, sharing, teaching, and PCB manufacturing.

    57 Fritzing alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Haiku
    Fritzing screenshot 1
     

    • Fritzing is the most popular commercial alternative to PCB.

    • Fritzing is Paid and Open SourcePCB is Free and Open Source
  4. Autodesk EAGLE icon

    Autodesk EAGLE

     34 likes
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    EDA software that enables PCB designers to connect schematics, position components, route PCBs, and access extensive libraries, with features like SPICE simulation, drag-and-drop functionality, alignment tools, 3D models for enclosure fit, and direct links to manufacturers for parts replacement.

    47 Autodesk EAGLE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Autodesk EAGLE screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk EAGLE icon
    Autodesk EAGLE

    EDA software that enables PCB designers to connect schematics, position components, route PCBs, and access extensive libraries, with features like SPICE simulation, drag-and-drop functionality, alignment tools, 3D models for encl...

    https://www.autodesk.com
    Learn More
  7. Altium Designer icon

    Altium Designer

     18 likes
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    Features a unified workflow for schematic capture, PCB layout, mixed analog/digital simulation, signal integrity analysis, real-time 3D editing, ECAD-MCAD collaboration, component libraries, collaborative design tools, BOM generation, routing, and manufacturing outputs.

    51 Altium Designer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Altium Designer screenshot 1
     
  8. gEDA Project icon

    gEDA Project

     26 likes
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    The gEDA project has produced and continues working on a full GPL'd suite and toolkit of Electronic Design Automation tools. These tools are used for electrical circuit design, schematic capture, simulation, prototyping, and production.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    gschem
     
  11. iCircuit icon

    iCircuit

     12 likes
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    iCircuit is the easy to use electronic circuit simulator and designer - the perfect tool for students, hobbyists, and engineers.

    46 iCircuit alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    iCircuit screenshot 1
    iCircuit screenshot 2
     

    • iCircuit is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to PCB.

    • iCircuit is Paid and ProprietaryPCB is Free and Open Source
  12. TINA icon

    TINA

     9 likes
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    TINA Design Suite is a powerful circuit simulation package for analyzing, designing, and real time testing of analog, digital, VHDL, MCU, SMPS, RF, communication, optoelectronic and mixed electronic circuits and their PCB layouts.

    51 TINA alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    TINA screenshot 1
     

    • TINA is the most popular Web-based alternative to PCB.

    • TINA is Paid and ProprietaryPCB is Free and Open Source
  13. Upverter icon

    Upverter

     13 likes
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    We build the pickaxes of hardware engineering. Ideation tools, schematic capture, PCB layout, design hosting, parts library management, and affordable prototyping.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
     
  14. TinyCAD icon

    TinyCAD

     4 likes
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    TinyCAD is an open source schematic capture program for MS Windows. Use TinyCAD to produce professional circuit diagrams and export net list information to PCB applications.

    33 TinyCAD alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    screenshot of TinyCAD in operation
     
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