The best pcb design softwares, according to hackers
6 pcb design softwares recommended in Hacker News comments over the past year, ranked by how many separate people recommend each one.
All pcb design softwares
- KiCadA free, open-source schematic and PCB suite that has improved greatly and is scriptable with Python, though its UI can feel unfriendly and component dragging and autorouting frustrate some.99recommend
- Altium DesignerProfessional PCB design software that people use for complex and high-end boards, with routing and support praised. The most common caveat is its high price and a clunky, buggy interface.9recommend
- EasyEDAFree browser-based PCB design tool that pairs well with JLCPCB assembly and LCSC parts, easy for beginners. Caveats: vendor lock-in and a weak component library.8recommend
- EAGLE PCB design softwareRecommended for circuit board design, especially with its EAGLE.DTD schema for AI tools, though critics say the Autodesk acquisition hurt it and KiCad is better. Some quotes mix in an image library app.6recommend
- CopperheadAn AI tool that pairs model intelligence with deterministic engines and verification to help design, verify and revise circuit boards. Critics say the website copy reads as AI-written.6recommend
- KiCadRoutingToolsFree, easy-to-set-up autorouter for KiCad that makes sensible routes. Critics note routing runs take minutes and some layouts fail DRC spacing rules.5recommend