# The Grid by CircuitHub

15 Hacker News commenters recommended The Grid by CircuitHub and 15 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 3 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Short lead times for boards within its Proto Board spec, comparable to JLCPCB on those boards; critics say it costs more and its requirements and sign-up are strict.

## Why people recommend it

- Short lead time for Proto boards (2 comments): "if you fit within the Proto Board spec we are very comparable with JLC on much shorter lead time" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50278702)) "Can't wait to see how quickly I can get boards next time I need a batch!" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50258571))

## What people warn about

- Pricier than JLCPCB, especially multilayer (3 comments): "quite a bit more expensive, even taking into account the USA tariffs" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50273058)) "The site quotes prices for ≥4 layer board production are on the order of 10x JLCPCB." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50243522)) "so expensive that it makes your service unpalatable" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50275529))
- Strict account signup and uploads (4 comments): "signup was painful it needs a major review. Then I uploaded a zip of my gerbers and it came up with some error" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50273151)) "it wouldn't let me continue unless I uploaded schematics and board files" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50279982)) "until the moment I click the "order" button, do not require me to log in" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50283634))
- Rejects standard Gerber and KiCad files (3 comments): "signup was painful it needs a major review. Then I uploaded a zip of my gerbers and it came up with some error" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50273151)) "Also uploaded an old gerber export straight from KiCAD and no dice." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50279045)) "You don't accept industry standard formats and require source" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50276828))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [JLCPCB](https://hackerapproved.com/p/jlcpcb.md): 83 recommend
- [PCBWay PCB fabrication](https://hackerapproved.com/p/pcbway.md): 32 recommend
- [OSH Park](https://hackerapproved.com/p/osh-park.md): 17 recommend
- [ProvenMetal](https://hackerapproved.com/p/provenmetal.md): 15 recommend
- [Aisler PCB manufacturing service](https://hackerapproved.com/p/aisler.md): 11 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "The Grid by CircuitHub", https://hackerapproved.com/p/grid/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).