Compare software

KiCad vs Xschem: catalog facts
KiCad	Xschem
Best for: Designing a circuit board end to end without a commercial licence	Best for: Schematic capture in open-source IC and analog design flows
Free Free and open source under the GPL 3.0. Donations are handled through the Linux Foundation.	Free Free and open source.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, Linux
Schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D viewer and Gerber export in one suite No limits on board size, layer count or exports All 4 strengths for KiCad 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	Netlist output for Spice, Verilog and VHDL Hierarchical and parametric schematics for reuse All 3 strengths for Xschem Netlist output for Spice, Verilog and VHDL Hierarchical and parametric schematics for reuse Very active development
A real learning curve; the workflow is unlike a drawing program Simulation is basic next to dedicated SPICE packages All 3 limitations for KiCad 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	Aimed at IC and circuit designers, with a learning curve Schematic capture only; simulation needs separate tools
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for KiCad kicad.org kicad.org/download Catalog checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Xschem github.com/StefanSchippers/xschem Catalog checked October 2, 2026

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