Compare software

DipTraceKiCad

Best for: Electronics engineers designing circuit boards on a perpetual license

Best for: Designing a circuit board end to end without a commercial licence

Paid

Perpetual licenses, with a trial version available to download.

 Free

Free and open source under the GPL 3.0. Donations are handled through the Linux Foundation.

Windows Windows, macOS, Linux
  • Real-time design rule checking with detailed constraints
  • Push-and-shove routing that keeps traces attached when parts move
All 4 strengths
  • Real-time design rule checking with detailed constraints
  • Push-and-shove routing that keeps traces attached when parts move
  • Differential pair routing with length and phase rules
  • Perpetual licensing instead of a subscription
  • Schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D viewer and Gerber export in one suite
  • No limits on board size, layer count or exports
All 4 strengths
  • Schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D viewer and Gerber export in one suite
  • No limits on board size, layer count or exports
  • Large bundled symbol and footprint libraries, plus a plugin manager
  • Windows, macOS, Linux AppImage and Flathub builds
  • Commercial software beyond the trial
  • Only a Windows installer is shown on the site
  • A real learning curve; the workflow is unlike a drawing program
  • Simulation is basic next to dedicated SPICE packages
All 3 limitations
  • A real learning curve; the workflow is unlike a drawing program
  • Simulation is basic next to dedicated SPICE packages
  • Library management trips up most newcomers at least once
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Not open source Open source
License not stated License: GPL-3.0
Not stated if an account is needed No account needed
Offline features available Offline features available
Sources

Catalog checked September 23, 2026
Sources

Catalog checked September 21, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.