It is always a good idea to analyze the behavior of an electronic circuit before investing money on physical prototype. But the market is flooded with so many different circuit simulation software and newly graduated engineers find it overwhelming to choose the right simulator for their needs. In this blog post, I will share the most widely used circuit simulation software available in 2024 with their features, pros, and cons in detail so that one can easily select the best software as per his/her requirements. So lets get started with the list:
Page Contents
1. LTspice
LTspice is one of the most popular circuit simulation software. It is developed by Linear Technology (now part of Analog Devices). It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of simulation capabilities. LtSpice supports both analog and digital circuit simulations. It has an extensive library of components. LTspice’s waveform viewer and interactive simulation features provide real-time feedback, facilitating efficient circuit analysis. It is a professional simulator and is one of the best circuit simulation software for professionals as well as students. LTSpice is absolutely free for everyone even for commercial use. It is undoubtedly a great choice for almost everyone who want to simulate a circuit using a professional circuit simulation software.
Features:
- Circuit simulation
- Waveform analysis
- Schematic capture
- Component library
- Monte Carlo analysis
- Noise analysis
- Offline circuit simulator
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Large community support
- Extensive component library
- Accurate simulation results
- Fast simulation speed
- It is a free software
Cons:
- Limited third-party component models
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- No PCB design capabilities
Best Suitable For:
- Professionals/Engineers
- Hobbyists
- Students
- Small to medium electronic companies & design centers
Free/Paid: Free with all features
2. Proteus
Proteus is a comprehensive electronic circuit design and simulation software widely used in the industry. It offers a seamless design flow, combining schematic capture, PCB layout, and circuit simulation in a single integrated environment. Proteus provides a vast component library and advanced simulation models to simulate and verify complex circuits accurately. Proteus also offers advanced features like mixed-mode simulation, SPICE models, and microcontroller simulation, making it suitable for both analog and digital circuit designs. The best part is, you can even program microcontroller with the hex file of the embedded code while simulating an embedded project and see the behavior of the circuit. For example you can see the actual message on the screen of an OLED display sent by a microcontroller in real time. This is a real fun while using this software and is very useful when you are testing your code that needs to edit very frequently.
Features:
- Circuit simulation
- PCB design
- Component library
- Microcontroller simulation
- Virtual instruments
- Circuit visualization
- Offline circuit simulator
Pros:
- Integrated PCB design
- Microcontroller simulation
- Real-time debugging
- Breadboard simulation
- Arduino compatibility
Cons:
- Relatively expensive circuit simulation software
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited component library compared to specialized tools
Best Suitable For:
- Professional PCB design
- Microcontroller-based projects
- Industrial automation
Free/Paid: Paid
3. PSpice
PSpice, developed by Cadence Design Systems, is a powerful electronic circuit simulation software widely used in the electronics industry. It offers a robust set of simulation capabilities, including analog, digital, and mixed-signal simulations. PSpice provides a vast library of pre-built models. Its advanced analysis features, such as sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, allow users to evaluate circuit performance under different conditions and optimize designs. PSpice’s integration with popular PCB design tools enhances the design flow and enables efficient collaboration between design and simulation.
Features:
- Circuit simulation
- Waveform analysis
- Schematic capture
- Component library
- PCB design
- Mixed-signal simulation
- Monte Carlo analysis
- Sensitivity analysis
- Offline circuit simulator
Pros:
- Comprehensive analysis capabilities
- Strong modeling and simulation capabilities
- Integration with Cadence tools
Cons:
- High cost for professional version simulator
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
Best Suitable For:
- Professional electronics design
- Advanced simulations
- Large-scale projects
- Mixed-signal simulations
Free/Paid: Paid
4. Tina-TI
Tina-TI is developed by DesignSoft company exclusively for Texas Instruments (TI). It is based on DesignSoft’s TINA Design Suit. It is a user-friendly electronic circuit simulation software widely used by electronics enthusiasts and professionals. This electronic circuit simulator offers an intuitive graphical user interface and supports both analog and digital circuit simulations. Tina-TI also provides a wide range of component models and libraries. Its interactive and real-time simulations facilitate quick circuit evaluation and parameter optimization. Tina-TI also offers extensive analysis features, such as frequency response analysis, transfer function calculation, and tolerance analysis, making it a versatile tool for circuit design and analysis.
Features:
- Circuit simulation
- Waveform analysis
- Schematic capture
- Component library
- PCB design
- Analog and digital simulation
- Monte Carlo analysis
- Sensitivity analysis
- Offline circuit simulator
Pros:
- Robust simulation engine
- Seamless integration with TI components
- Support for mixed-signal simulations
- SPICE model import
- It is a free circuit simulator
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited third-party component models
Best Suitable For:
- Engineers working with TI components
- Analog and digital circuit design
- Power electronics professionals
Free/Paid: Free
5. Multisim
Multisim, developed by National Instruments, recently acquired by Emerson, is a popular electronic circuit simulation software widely used in educational institutions and industry. It offers a comprehensive set of simulation and analysis tools, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced engineers. Multisim provides a vast component library and simulation models, enabling accurate representation of real-world circuits. Its intuitive graphical user interface and interactive simulation enhances the learning and design experience.
Features:
- Circuit simulation
- Waveform analysis
- Schematic capture
- Component library
- PCB design
- Virtual instruments
- Monte Carlo analysis
- Sensitivity analysis
- Both Offline & Online circuit simulator
Pros:
- Intuitive user interface
- Vast component library
- Support for virtual instruments
- Integration with NI hardware
Cons:
- Relatively expensive circuit simulator
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited PCB design capabilities compared to specialized tools
Best Suitable For:
- Educational institutions
- Circuit design and analysis
- Virtual instrument simulation
Free/Paid: Paid
6. SIMPLIS/SIMetrix
SIMPLIS/SIMetrix, developed by Ansys, is a specialized electronic circuit simulation software focused on switch-mode power supplies and power electronics. SIMPLIS provides fast and accurate transient and steady-state simulations, allowing users to analyze and optimize the performance of power electronic circuits.
Features:
- Circuit simulation
- Waveform analysis
- Schematic capture
- Component library
- PCB design
- Mixed-signal simulation
- Monte Carlo analysis
- Sensitivity analysis
- Offline circuit simulator
Pros:
- High-speed simulation
- Excellent modeling accuracy
- Easy-to-use waveform analysis
- Integrated schematic and waveform viewer
- Dedicated power electronics circuit analysis tools
Cons:
- Limited support for complex mixed-signal systems
- Limited component library compared to specialized tools
Best Suitable For:
- High-speed switching power supply design
- Power electronics professionals
- Automotive and aerospace applications
Free/Paid: Paid
7. Psim
Psim is a powerful circuit simulation software that specializes in power electronics and power systems. It offers an extensive range of simulation capabilities, including circuit modeling, power loss analysis, transient analysis, and control system design. Psim provides a user-friendly interface, ensuring ease of use for engineers and designers. With its accurate simulation results and robustness, Psim is a trusted choice for simulating complex power electronics systems. Although it may have a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its advanced features, Psim remains a top choice for professionals in the field of power electronics.
Features:
- Circuit modeling
- Circuit simulation
- Waveform analysis
- Schematic capture
- Component library
- Power loss analysis
- Transient analysis
- Control system design
- Offline circuit simulator
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Accurate simulation results
- Extensive library of power components
- Robust tool for power electronics systems
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited support for complex mixed-signal systems
Best Suitable For:
- Professional electronics design
- Advanced simulations
- Large-scale projects
- Power Electronics
Free/Paid: Paid
Conclusion
The above-mentioned electronic circuit simulation software are pioneer in simulation tools, so you can choose anyone which aligns with your requirements.
FAQs
Which is the best circuit simulation software?
There are a number of software available to simulate electronic circuits. LTSpice is one of the most used circuit simulation software. It is completely free to use, very fast and powerful software.
Can circuit simulation software be used for educational purposes?
Yes, circuit simulation software are widely used in educational settings for teaching circuit design and analysis concepts. It allows students to gain practical experience and understanding of circuit behavior without needing physical components.
Are circuit simulation software compatible with different operating systems?
Yes, most circuit simulation software are designed to be compatible with major operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.
How can circuit simulation benefit the design process?
Circuit simulation offers several benefits to the design process. It allows engineers to validate and verify circuit designs before physical prototyping, reducing the time and cost associated with building and testing multiple iterations. Electronic Simulator also provides valuable insights into circuit behavior, enabling designers to identify and address issues early in the design phase. Additionally, it allows for “what-if” scenarios, where designers can experiment with different component values or circuit configurations to optimize performance.
Are there any free circuit simulator options available?
Yes, there are a number of free circuit simulation software available that provide basic simulation capabilities. These software tools are often suitable for beginners or those are on a tight budget. While they may have limitations compared to paid versions, such as restricted component libraries or advanced analysis features.
Hi, Thanks for such a great article. I tried LTspice and Tina-TI, both are really good.
i started electronics study when i was very young it cost me a fortune to buy nothing compared to today i wish i was young all over again their are so many fields of study today.
Hi Robert, That’s amazing to hear about your early start in electronics! It’s true, the landscape has evolved so much since then. Best Wishes.