Compare software

Xschem vs KiCad: catalog facts
Xschem	KiCad
Best for: Schematic capture in open-source IC and analog design flows	Best for: Designing a circuit board end to end without a commercial licence
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source under the GPL 3.0. Donations are handled through the Linux Foundation.
Windows, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
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	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
Aimed at IC and circuit designers, with a learning curve Schematic capture only; simulation needs separate tools	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
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-3.0
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Xschem github.com/StefanSchippers/xschem Catalog checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for KiCad kicad.org kicad.org/download Catalog checked September 21, 2026

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