FreePCB alternatives

Free 9 alternatives

FreePCB is a Windows-compatible solution designed to help you design printed circuit boards without hassle. It is an open-source program authored by Allan Wright and is released under the GNU General Public License. The features include the ability to use a maximum of 16 copper layers, which are customary and metric units.

You can work on a design without restrictions and export it in RS-274X Gerber format whenever necessary. Besides support for Microsoft Windows, the tool also works fully well with multiple other operating systems like Linux and Mac. One thing to note here is that you will need to use third-party software like Wine and Virtual Box to make it work on these OSes.

Ranked alternatives

1
Altium PCB DesignerFreemium
Altium offers a top-notch, best-in-class PCB Designer to give engineers the tools they need to interlink with each side involved in the electronic design process. The developer has spent many years in this domain and has used the knowledge to provide an effective solution that enables you to create PCB designs effortlessly. The UI is quite advanced and makes it easy for you to connect all the parts of the electronic design process without hassle. The solution consolidates teamwork, PCB design, data management, MCAD and lets you access them in a single place.
Altium PCB Designer alternatives
2
Proteus PCB designFreemium
Proteus PCB design is a unique tool built from scratch and, at its core, features a combination of ARES PCB layout and ISIS schematic capture to assist you throughout the PCB design process. It is a fully capable solution and comes with an integrated shape-based auto-router and several other modes to deliver an exceptional experience to the user base.
When buying, you will have to choose between a number of products that are divided by levels, with each level having different features. For instance, the mentioned SPICE simulation functionality and integrated shape-based auto-router are included in the standard products, whereas to access high-performance routing, you will need to get the PCB design level 2 version.
Proteus PCB design alternatives
3
KtechlabFree
Ktechlab is a reasonably good, multifeatured IDE (Integrated development environment) that allows you to perform tasks related to electronics and microcontrollers. You will find its user interface to be simple, less complex, and easy to use. Little time is consumed in learning it, which is all thanks to the tools marked clearly on the UI. The workspace includes a top bar, canvas, and a sidebar displaying the names and values of the various elements in the design. All the necessary functions like File, Edit, View, Bookmarks, Settings, Tools, and Project are available for use.
Ktechlab alternatives
4
UpverterFree
Upverter is an all-in-one and modular tool that is a perfect fit for your business as it includes multiple essential functionalities such as 3D preview, PCB design, order boards, and more that are tailored to meet your specification. You can use the drag and drop designer to finish work in no time and download the required CAD resources for free and without hassle. It has many templates that can be selected, and the end-user can also create a new design without limitations.
This solution is high-performance, which means CAD files can be exported quickly, and considerable time is saved, thanks to automatic board support packages and CAD downloads. You can use view designs and how they work on the web browser using the 3D Design Preview functionality. Lastly, it offers trouble-free Fulfillment, allowing everyone to receive pre-tested, and customized Printed Circuit Boards along with software support packages on time, after which they can get started with it right away.
Upverter alternatives
5
DesignSpark PCBFree
DesignSpark PCB is a simple yet powerful tool that makes it easy for companies to browse new design options, resulting in innovative discoveries. It comes with an advanced engine that gives you the opportunity to capture PCB boards and layouts as well as schematics without much effort. You can integrate with design workflows and work on the idea from start to finish.
It is the perfect fit for anyone in search of an all-in-one design tool, multiple technical insights, or a familiar design ecosystem. There are many features that you will find within the solution, and these include the ability to work on schematic size without limitations, restriction-free PCB design, creating personal libraries or using existing ones, building BOMs in the desired format, and many more.
DesignSpark PCB alternatives
6
NgspiceFree
Ngspice is a highly optimized spice simulator that allows you to work with electronic and electric circuits. Circuits like these typically have transmission lines, JFETs, L/R/C diodes, and several other devices that are bound together by means of interconnection in a netlist. One of the flexibilities for the end-user is that they have the choice to input the combination having digital and analog as a mixed-signal circuit. The only drawback is that there is no support for schematic entry. The solution is fully compatible with multiple operating systems such as macOS, Windows, FreeBSD, Linux, and Cygwin.
Ngspice alternatives
7
DipTracePaid
DipTrace is a best-in-class CAD/EDA tool developed to empower everyone to create PCB (Printed Circuit Board) designs and schematic diagrams using the built-in functions. It has a visually appealing interface with all the essential features along with options to switch from one language to another. The supported languages include English, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Italian, French, and more.
The benefit is that the UI is easy-to-use and takes little time to understand, meaning effort can be directed towards the project. The solution is enriched with some high-level features such as ODB+ and STEP 3D compatibility, DRC check, and Hierarchical schematics. You can easily perform data transfer with multiple CADs and manufacturing tools, including Eagle, KiCad, Altium, OrCAD, and more.
DipTrace alternatives
8
LochMasterPaid
LochMaster is a decent and feature-rich program that enables developers to work on stripboard projects without hassle. It provides several options to assist with project board design, test, and documentation. The end-user will also appreciate the fact that it comes with a large number of components and symbols, editable libraries, component lists, and more.
You will also find within the program many essential functions such as placing components, writing, soldering and splitting tracks. These work fully well and deliver exceptional quality. There are many other highlights worth mentioning here, like Linking external documents, Banner printouts for huge roads, Components list and order list, and many more.
LochMaster alternatives
9
OrCADPaid
OrCAD is a great tool for creating electronic designs that sell. It enables you to add creativity, productivity to the project and is best among others. It is powered by the Allegro Engine, which plays a great role in maximizing the productivity of the end-user. The main benefit for you is the presence of a PCB layout and unmatched routing speed that aligns with your skills.
Secondly, everyone can find what’s missing by going through the provided feedback. The recommendations/feedback are really important here because they enable you to work on the PCB from all angles and make it functional and manufacturable.
OrCAD alternatives