When it comes to designing printed circuit boards (PCBs), there are three popular tools: KiCad, Eagle, and Altium. Each has its strengths and suits different experience levels, design needs, and budgets. In this guide, we’ll compare their key features, ease of use, price, and support to help you choose the right tool.
The comparison between Eagle and KiCad depends on your experience, project size, and budget. Each platform has its strengths, and the right one for you depends on what you need for your PCB design work.
1. KiCad: Free and Open Source Alternative
KiCad is an open-source PCB design tool that is popular because it is free to use and offers many powerful features. It is a great option for hobbyists, students, and engineers who need advanced features without spending a lot of money.
Main Features
- Free and Open Source: KiCad is free, making it accessible to everyone.
- Cross-platform: It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Advanced tools: Although free, KiCad supports multi-layer PCB design, 3D modeling, and circuit simulation.
- Separate tools: KiCad has separate tools for schematic drawing and PCB layout, allowing more flexibility in the design process.
- Community Libraries: KiCad has many components thanks to its large community that is constantly adding new libraries.
Ease of Use
KiCad can be difficult to learn at first because of its multiple tools, but once you get used to it, it becomes easy. The interface may take some getting used to, but the features are worth it.
Pricing
KiCad is completely free. There are no fees or limits, which is perfect for beginners or those working on a budget.
Support
Since KiCad is open source, its community provides much of the support through forums and online resources. However, there is no formal customer support like commercial software.
2. Eagle: Simple Yet Powerful
Eagle is a PCB design software developed by Autodesk. It is easy to use but still offers powerful features. This makes it a popular choice for both beginners and professionals working on electronic projects.
Main Features
- Simple interface: Eagle has a simple, easy-to-learn interface, great for those new to PCB design.
- Combined tools: Eagle combines schematic and PCB design software, simplifying the design process.
- Autodesk Integration: Eagle works well with Autodesk’s Fusion 360, which allows you to combine PCB and mechanical designs.
- Large Libraries: Eagle has a wide selection of components that are regularly updated.
- Design Rule Checking: Eagle has a feature that checks your design to ensure it is ready for production.
Ease of Use
Eagle is known for being user-friendly. Its clean interface makes it easy to switch between schematic design and PCB layout, helping users get up to speed quickly.
Pricing
Eagle has both free and paid versions. The free version is great for simple projects, but it limits the number of layers and board size. To get access to more features, you will need to subscribe to one of the paid plans.
Support
Eagle has a strong user community, plus you get technical support from Autodesk. There are also plenty of tutorials and online resources to help you learn.
3. Altium: The Professional’s Choice
Altium Designer is considered the best PCB design tool for professionals working on complex and large projects. It offers a wide range of advanced features and is commonly used by businesses and experienced engineers.
Main Features
- Advanced design tools: Ultium has powerful features like multi-layer design, 3D PCB view, and advanced routing tools, making it suitable for high-density and complex designs.
- All-in-one platform: Ultium combines all design functions into one platform, making the process very simple.
- Real-time collaboration: With Altium 365, teams can collaborate on designs in real time.
- Extensive Libraries: Altium provides access to one of the largest libraries of components, all certified for commercial use.
- Manufacturing integration: Ultium makes it easy to generate the files needed for manufacturing, reducing errors.
Ease of Use
While Altium is powerful, it can be overwhelming for beginners due to its many features. It takes time to learn, but once you do, it is very efficient for professional work.
Pricing
Altium is the most expensive of the three options. It is generally used by large companies due to its high cost, but the price comes with many advanced features and professional support.
Support
Altium has excellent customer support and a large online community. You will find plenty of documentation, forums, and tutorials. For professional users, their technical support is very helpful
Conclusion: Which should you choose?
- KiCad is ideal if you’re looking for a free, powerful tool for hobby projects or small businesses.
- Eagle is perfect for beginners who want an easy-to-use interface but with the option to grow to more advanced features.
- Altium Designer is a great choice for professionals who need high-end tools and don’t mind paying for them.