KiCad
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About
KiCad is ranked #5 of 42 in electrical design software on Inferse. It runs on Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows. There is a free plan.
Compared on electrical design software
Facts
- Purpose
- KiCad is an open-source electronic design automation suite for schematic capture and PCB layout.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Schematic checks
- Its electrical rules checker verifies schematic connections for output pin conflicts, missing drivers, and unconnected pins.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- PCB routing
- The PCB editor includes collision-highlight, shove, and walkaround routing modes that respect design rules.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- 3D preview
- The integrated 3D viewer displays PCB designs with a library of 3D models and supports ray tracing.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Netlist export
- Schematic netlists can be exported in Pspice, Cadstar, PcbNew, and generic XML formats.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Import compatibility
- KiCad supports importing schematic designs from Altium tools, CADSTAR, EAGLE, EasyEDA, and LTSpice.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- PCB migration
- PCB design imports include Allegro, Altium tools, CADSTAR, EAGLE, EasyEDA, Fabmaster, P-CAD 200x ASCII, and SolidWorks.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- External tools
- The official external-tools directory lists community tools including an InvenTree part database plugin and KiCad StepUp for KiCad and FreeCAD workflows.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Professional support
- Listed providers offer private support, training, consulting, and custom development services.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Windows security
- KiCad says Windows installer binaries have code-signed digital signatures that users can verify.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- License
- The majority of KiCad source code is distributed under GNU GPL version 3 or greater, while its libraries use CC-BY-SA 4.0.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- System support
- The official downloads list Windows, macOS, and Linux, and also provide a Docker download option.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Platform limits
- The stable Linux release is provided as an AppImage for x86-64 systems.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- Audience
- The project's stated goal is a cross-platform electronics design application for professional designers that remains approachable to new users.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
- History
- KiCad was first released in 1992 and is managed by the KiCad Development Team.kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026
Company
- Founded
- 1992kicad.org · 28 Sept 2026
Best KiCad alternatives
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7.4 Trimble Viewpoint Vista See plans price on the maker's page
6.7 ETAP See plans price on the maker's page Free trial
6.6 Siemens Building X See plans price on the maker's page
5.9 SOLIDWORKS $4/mo first paid tier Free trial
5.8 MATLAB Grader Free free plan, no paid price published Free plan 5.6 DipTrace See plans price on the maker's page Where it ranks on Inferse
Sources
- kicad.org/about/kicad/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/discover/schematic-capture/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/discover/pcb-design/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/discover/3dviewer/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/external-tools/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/help/professional-support/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/download/windows/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/about/licenses/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/download/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org/download/linux/· checked 29 Sept 2026
- kicad.org· checked 28 Sept 2026
