To meet various layout needs, numerous circuit design software options are available, including industrial PCB software, online free PCB design software, and free PCB design software. Here is a list of PCB design software and a quick overview.
1. PROTEL (Altium Designer)
Circuit design software (CAD) PROTEL was launched in the circuit business by the PORTAL firm in the late 1980s of the 20th century and is rightly ranked highly among various EDA tools and is the software of choice for circuit designers. Nearly all circuit industries have used PROTEL for their work, and several universities’ circuit specialties offer courses designed to teach you how to use it. With new features that enhance the user experience and improve fluency and smoothness, Altium Designer 20 has just been published. The arbitrary-angle routing function is newly added in this version to finish the escape routing of dense BGA packages. The routing optimization processing is also improved, and there are many more improvements. It works well for boards with one or two layers, but when there are more than four layers—not to mention the PCB design for high-frequency, high-speed digitization—it becomes a little more challenging to employ.
2. PADS (PowerPC)
It may be considered the king of CAD on the cheap end. It is the best EDA among other similar EDAs since it is simple to use and understand. The design’s quality would be similar to wg, Allegro. It is the EDA that is most frequently used and is ideal for small businesses.
3. ORCAD
ORCAD created the EDA software known as ORCAD in the late 1980s. Even if it is older than Protel, it is still worse. However, the fundamentals of ORCAD are well-known in the sector due to their user-friendly interface, straightforward operation, and potent simulation capabilities. A robust component information system is added based on the input of the schematic diagram, and it can be used to build, track, and authenticate components. This makes it simple to reuse the optimized and existing component libraries. I like Orcad over DX Designer in this comparison. However, the management function and environment of DX Designer are excellent.
4. WG
It is the mentors of WG. They unveiled the Windows-based WG 2005. The layout determines whether it is beautiful software when there are clear advantages and disadvantages in the middle and high markets. I must admit that WG2005 is incredible for layout; in fact, it could be crowned the king of configuration due to its powerful automatic layout function and extremely expert layout rule. The basis of WG is ExpeditionPCB, and WG 2005 includes DX, DC, DV, LIB, and EXP.
5. Allegro
Allegro pcbAllegro is a Cadence-developed tool for PCB design routing. Due to Allegro’s robust features, big businesses frequently utilize it, particularly those that produce computer motherboards. Due to its benefits in drawing large boards, this program occupies a considerable market share on server motherboards, huge industrial control boards, computer motherboards, and other large boards. A few businesses will also utilize tablets and mobile phone boards.
6. Eagle（Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor）
It has an approachable user interface and a complete schematic diagram feature. Although it is not accessible, the cost is reasonable. It includes incredible features, including an interactive follower, a batch command execution script file, online positive and negative annotation, and copper cladding. Additionally, EAGLE supports three platforms Windows, Linux, and Mac. Additionally, this software has a fairly extensive library, allows the use of scripts, and includes CAM tools.
7. Kicad
As open-source software, Kincaid complies with the GNU GPL copyright agreement. Kicad utilizes a graphical user interface, which is easy to use with a mouse and keyboard and compatible with Windows and Linux. The application package of kicad includes 3D solid model viewing, Gerber file viewing, PCB layout, schematic drafting, etc. Symbols, packages, and libraries of 3D models are also readily available for download.
8. EasyEda
EasyEDA is a free EDA tool package that integrates solid schematic capture and mixed-mode circuit modeling. It is Web-based, cloud-based, and zero-install.
9. Fritzing
To enable designers and artists who are prepared to graduate beyond prototyping for experimentation to create a more permanent circuit, Fritzing is an open-source initiative to provide amateur or hobby CAD software for the design of electrical hardware.
10. More Free PCB Software
ZenitPCB, Fritzing, ExpressPCB, Osmond PCB, BSch3V, gEDA, TinyCAD, and DesignSpark PCB are all PCB design tools. You might not need to use the three layouts above programs if you’re a student or novice. Using free design software and a $4.9 PCB prototype order from Seeed Fusion, you can acquire your PCB quickly and affordably. You can also utilize KIcad or other free online PCB design software.
