In 2025, circuit design software has evolved significantly, providing engineers, hobbyists, and students with an impressive range of tools to create everything from simple circuits to highly complex multi-layer PCBs. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, selecting the right tool is essential for smooth design, simulation, and prototyping. Below are some of the top circuit design software tools that you should consider for your projects in 2025:
1. Altium Designer
Altium Designer remains the top choice for professionals handling advanced, large-scale PCB designs. Known for its powerful features, this tool offers an all-in-one solution for schematic capture, PCB layout, simulation, and 3D visualization. Altium’s real-time collaboration tools and cloud integration make it ideal for teams working on high-performance circuit boards. It’s designed for industries like aerospace, telecommunications, and automotive where precision and innovation are paramount.
Best For: High-end professionals working on complex and multi-layer circuit boards.
2. KiCad
KiCad has grown to become a top contender in the world of open-source PCB design software. It’s free to use and comes equipped with full schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization features. Whether you’re a student, hobbyist, or professional, KiCad is a great tool for creating multi-layer designs. Its large user community and active development make it a go-to solution for those on a budget or who prefer open-source tools.
Best For: Students, hobbyists, and professionals who want a free, open-source solution for PCB design.
3. Autodesk Eagle
Acquired by Autodesk, Eagle offers both a free version for small designs and paid versions for more complex projects. It integrates seamlessly with Fusion 360 for mechanical and PCB design, providing an excellent platform for collaborative work. With its easy-to-use interface, cloud storage, and vast component library, Eagle is ideal for small businesses and hobbyists who need a simple but effective PCB design tool.
Best For: Hobbyists, students, and small businesses needing affordable, user-friendly design tools.
4. EasyEDA
EasyEDA has emerged as a powerful online tool that simplifies circuit design for hobbyists and students. As a cloud-based solution, it enables you to design and share your circuits from anywhere. EasyEDA is free for small designs and includes schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization. Its integration with PCB manufacturers makes it easier to create prototypes, making it ideal for prototyping and small-scale production.
Best For: Hobbyists and students looking for a simple, cloud-based solution for quick prototyping.
5. DipTrace
DipTrace offers a comprehensive yet user-friendly tool for both beginners and professionals. Its intuitive interface supports schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization. DipTrace’s auto-router and component library are beneficial for those creating designs of moderate complexity. The software is affordable, with a trial version and multiple paid options to cater to different project needs.
Best For: Hobbyists and professionals needing an affordable and intuitive tool for medium-complexity designs.
6. CircuitStudio
Designed by Altium, CircuitStudio bridges the gap between entry-level and high-end PCB design tools. It offers professional-grade features like schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization at a lower price point than Altium Designer. It integrates well with Altium Designer for users who want to scale up their projects. CircuitStudio is ideal for small-to-medium businesses that require a robust yet cost-effective PCB design solution.
Best For: Small-to-medium businesses needing professional-grade tools at an affordable price.
7. PADS
PADS by Mentor Graphics (Siemens) is a highly regarded tool for advanced PCB design, simulation, and 3D visualization. It’s widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications, thanks to its robust design capabilities. PADS is ideal for engineers working on complex multi-layer PCB designs that require precision and advanced simulation.
Best For: Professionals in high-end industries like automotive and aerospace needing advanced design and simulation capabilities.
8. SolidWorks PCB
SolidWorks PCB integrates PCB design with mechanical CAD tools, making it an excellent choice for engineers working on designs that require collaboration between electrical and mechanical components. It offers seamless integration with SolidWorks mechanical design software, 3D visualization, and real-time collaboration tools, making it ideal for complex projects that require both electrical and mechanical designs to be synchronized.
Best For: Engineers working on projects involving both electrical and mechanical designs, such as consumer electronics or industrial machines.
9. Allegro PCB Designer
Allegro by Cadence is a high-end tool for professionals working on complex, high-speed PCB designs. Allegro’s advanced simulation capabilities, including signal integrity analysis, multi-layer design support, and 3D visualization, make it an ideal choice for large-scale and performance-critical projects. It is widely used in industries where speed, reliability, and performance are critical.
Best For: Large enterprises and high-end professionals working on high-speed, multi-layer PCBs.
10. Xpedition
Xpedition is an enterprise-level PCB design tool used for complex, large-scale projects. It offers advanced simulation, 3D visualization, and integration with other engineering systems, making it perfect for high-performance designs. With features like signal integrity analysis, multi-layer support, and real-time collaboration, Xpedition is designed for large teams working on highly complex projects.
Best For: Large teams and enterprises working on complex, high-performance PCBs.
11. Autodesk Fusion 360 (with PCB)
Fusion 360 integrates both mechanical and PCB design into a single platform, providing a collaborative environment for engineers to seamlessly work on electrical and mechanical components together. The PCB design feature within Fusion 360 allows for schematic capture, layout, and 3D visualization, offering a powerful tool for designing products that require both fields. The integration with Autodesk’s cloud-based ecosystem makes it a convenient choice for collaborative teams.
Best For: Engineers and designers working on multi-disciplinary projects that involve both electrical and mechanical systems.
12. ExpressPCB Plus
ExpressPCB Plus is an easy-to-use PCB design tool aimed at beginners and hobbyists. It offers free schematic design and PCB layout tools with a simple drag-and-drop interface. ExpressPCB is perfect for those creating basic, two-layer boards and quick prototypes. It also provides the option for in-house PCB manufacturing, making it ideal for DIY projects, though its limited features make it unsuitable for complex designs.
Best For: Beginners and hobbyists working on simple, small designs.
13. Target 3001
Target 3001 is a flexible and user-friendly tool for schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization. It supports both simple and moderately complex designs, offering free versions for small projects. Target 3001 includes a built-in autorouter and extensive component libraries, making it ideal for users looking for an easy-to-learn but capable PCB design tool.
Best For: Hobbyists and professionals needing a versatile tool for small-to-medium projects.
14. PCB123
PCB123 is a free, easy-to-use PCB design software designed for hobbyists and small businesses. It provides a simple interface for schematic capture and PCB layout, offering tools for creating prototypes and small-scale designs. While it lacks some advanced features of more professional tools, it’s perfect for beginners or users working on simpler projects who need quick results.
Best For: Beginners and small businesses creating simple circuit designs.
15. CR-8000
CR-8000 by Zuken is an advanced PCB design suite suited for large, complex, multi-layer designs. It includes features for schematic capture, PCB layout, advanced signal integrity analysis, and 3D visualization. CR-8000 is typically used by large engineering teams working on high-performance systems where efficiency, accuracy, and simulation capabilities are critical.
Best For: Large enterprises and professionals working on complex, multi-layer circuit boards.
Conclusion
Selecting the right PCB design software depends on your needs, project scale, and budget. Eagle and KiCad are excellent choices for hobbyists and students, while Altium Designer, PADS, and Xpedition serve professionals working on large, complex projects. Tools like EasyEDA and DipTrace strike a balance between ease of use and powerful features, making them great for prototyping and small-to-medium designs. For projects requiring integration between mechanical and electrical design, Fusion 360 and SolidWorks PCB provide seamless collaboration tools.
Choose wisely based on your needs and the complexity of your projects to ensure success in 2025!
