In September 2025, our research team conducted a comprehensive analysis of the leading electronic design automation (EDA) tools for PCB design. We evaluated 42 software platforms and compiled data on the top performers using our proprietary ranking algorithm. The following weighted factors were used in our assessment:
- Ease of Use (20%) – User interface design, learning curve, and workflow efficiency
- Design Capabilities (18%) – Layer support, routing features, and advanced design functions
- Price Point (16%) – Cost accessibility and licensing flexibility
- Component Libraries (14%) – Availability and quality of part databases
- Collaboration Features (12%) – Team workflow and cloud integration capabilities
- Industry Support (10%) – Community, documentation, and customer service
- Manufacturing Integration (10%) – Design for manufacturing (DFM) analysis and fabrication file generation
Our algorithm rank-ordered these tools based on their overall performance across these criteria. The table below presents the best EDA tools for PCB Design for 2025. Also included are detailed reviews to provide insight into how current users view the tools to help them meet their PCB design needs.
| Best EDA Tools for PCB Design 2025 | |||||
| Rank | EDA Tool | Ease of Use | Design Capabilities | Collaboration Features | Specialty |
| 1 | Allegro X | Advanced | Enterprise-Grade | Integrated | Whole-scale Design |
| 2 | OrCAD X | Streamlined | Professional | Cloud- Connected | Mid-tier Professional |
| 3 | Altium Designer | Professional | Professional | Advanced | High-end Commercial |
| 4 | KiCad | Open-Source | Advanced | Community- Driven | Open Source Leader |
| 5 | Siemens PADS / Xpedition | Enterprise | Industrial | Enterprise | Large-Scale Design |
| 6 | EasyEDA | Beginner- Friendly | Web-Based | Online | Browser-Based Design |
| 7 | DipTrace | User- Friendly | Comprehensive | Basic | Cost-Effective Solution |
| 8 | Proteus Design Suite | Simulation- Focused | Advanced | Academic | Circuit Simulation |
| 9 | Fusion 360 Electronics | Integrated | Mechanical-PCB | Collaborative | Unified Design Platform |
| 10 | Autodesk Eagle | Accessible | Moderate | Limited | Entry-Level Commercial |
Allegro X, for Integrated Whole-Scale Enterprise DesignÂ
Allegro X represents Cadence’s modern approach to enterprise-level PCB design, combining its proven engine with an intuitive, cloud-connected interface. The platform targets professional engineers across multiple levels who need robust design capabilities. Allegro X offers fully integrated tools, including SPICE simulation, real-time design rule checking (DRC), 3D design, and a host of other capabilities to provide engineers the design power they need.
Key strengths include real-time collaboration through cloud connectivity, automated design optimization features, and seamless integration with extensive component sourcing. The software provides the power and scale needed for enterprise-grade engineering teams. Recent updates focus on AI-assisted routing and enhanced supply chain visibility, making it particularly useful for companies with diverse design workflows and engineering needs.
Location: San Jose, CA, USA
Year Founded: 1988 (Allego), 2021 (Allegro X)
Price Range: $$$$
Average Review Score: 4.5/5.0
Services Offered: PCB design, schematic capture, simulation, design collaboration
Summary of Online Reviews
| Users appreciate Allegro X’s “modern interface,” “powerful performance,” and how it “speeds up PCB design workflows,” while others mention the “learning curve” from other systems. |
OrCAD X, for Cloud-Connected Professional Design
OrCAD X represents Cadence’s modern approach to PCB design, combining the proven Allegro engine with an intuitive, cloud-connected interface. The platform targets professional engineers who need robust design capabilities. OrCAD X excels in mixed-signal design, offering integrated SPICE simulation and comprehensive real-time design rule checking (DRC) that accelerates validation cycles.
Key strengths include real-time collaboration through cloud connectivity, automated design optimization features, and seamless integration with extensive component sourcing. The software provides excellent value for mid-sized engineering teams. Recent updates focus on AI-assisted routing suggestions and enhanced supply chain visibility, making it particularly attractive for companies balancing design sophistication with budget constraints while maintaining access to enterprise-grade PCB design tools.
Location: San Jose, CA, USA
Year Founded: 1986 (OrCAD), 2021 (OrCAD X)
Price Range: $$$
Average Review Score: 4.1/5.0
Services Offered: PCB design, schematic capture, simulation, design collaboration
Summary of Online Reviews
| Users appreciate OrCAD X’s “modern interface,” “powerful Allegro-based engine,” and “cost-effective licensing,” while some mention “transition challenges” from legacy OrCAD versions. |
Altium Designer, for High-End Professional PCB Design
Altium Designer offers comprehensive features that cater to complex, multi-layer board development. The platform excels in advanced routing capabilities, constraint management, and real-time design rule checking, making it ideal for aerospace, automotive, and high-speed digital applications. Its unified design environment integrates schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization seamlessly.
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Year Founded: 1985
Price Range: $$$$
Average Review Score: 4.3/5.0
Services Offered: PCB design, schematic capture, 3D modeling, simulation
Summary of Online Reviews
| Reviews consistently praise Altium Designer’s “comprehensive feature set,” “professional-grade capabilities,” and “excellent technical support,” though users note the “steep learning curve” and high cost as potential barriers. |
KiCad, for Open-Source PCB Development
KiCad has emerged as the leading open-source EDA solution, providing professional-grade PCB design capabilities without licensing fees or usage restrictions. The platform supports unlimited layers, board sizes, and design complexity, making it attractive for educational institutions, startups, and engineers seeking cost-effective alternatives to commercial software. Version 8’s improvements include enhanced 3D rendering, improved push-and-shove routing, and streamlined library management.
The software benefits from an active global community contributing libraries, plugins, and documentation, ensuring rapid feature development and comprehensive support resources. While KiCad requires more manual setup compared to commercial alternatives, its flexibility allows extensive customization for specific workflows. The platform integrates well with open-source manufacturing processes and offers excellent compatibility with industry-standard file formats, making it suitable for both hobbyist projects and professional development where budget constraints are paramount.
Location: Global Open-Source Project
Year Founded: 1992
Price Range: Free
Average Review Score: 4.2/5.0
Services Offered: Schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D visualization, component management
Summary of Online Reviews
| KiCad receives praise for being “completely free,” “feature-rich,” and “continuously improving,” though users occasionally mention “steeper setup requirements” compared to commercial solutions. |
Siemens PADS/Xpedition, for Enterprise-Scale Design
Siemens’ PADS and Xpedition product family serves enterprise-level PCB design requirements, offering scalable solutions from individual designers to global engineering teams. The platform excels in complex, multi-board system design with advanced signal integrity analysis, comprehensive design-for-manufacturing (DFM) capabilities, and enterprise-grade data management. PADS Professional Premium integrates cloud-based collaboration, real-time supply chain data, and automated design optimization.
Recent AI enhancements provide intelligent routing suggestions and automated constraint management, significantly reducing design iteration cycles. The software’s strength lies in handling large-scale projects with stringent reliability requirements, making it ideal for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. While pricing reflects enterprise positioning, the platform delivers exceptional value through reduced development costs, improved first-pass success rates, and comprehensive integration with PLM systems for organizations managing complex product portfolios.
Location: Plano, TX, USA
Year Founded: 1983 (PADS)
Price Range: $$$$
Average Review Score: 4.0/5.0
Services Offered: PCB design, system integration, DFM analysis, enterprise collaboration
Summary of Online Reviews
| Enterprise users highlight “powerful system-level capabilities,” “excellent DFM integration,” and “robust enterprise features,” while noting “complexity” and that a “significant learning investment” is required. |
EasyEDA, for Web-Based Design Accessibility
EasyEDA pioneered browser-based PCB design, eliminating installation requirements while providing comprehensive design capabilities through cloud computing. The platform integrates directly with third-party manufacturing and component sourcing partners. While not suitable for high-complexity designs requiring extensive customization, it provides excellent value for straightforward PCB development with integrated manufacturing support.Â
Location: Shenzhen, China
Year Founded: 2013
Price Range: Free-$$
Average Review Score: 4.1/5.0
Services Offered: Web-based PCB design, integrated manufacturing, component sourcing
Summary of Online Reviews
| Users appreciate EasyEDA’s “instant accessibility,” “manufacturing integration,” and “beginner-friendly interface,” though some note “limited advanced features” for complex designs. |
DipTrace, for Cost-Effective PCB Design
DipTrace delivers professional PCB design capabilities at remarkably affordable pricing, making it attractive for small businesses, consultants, and cost-conscious engineers. The software provides comprehensive schematic capture, multi-layer PCB layout, and 3D visualization. DipTrace’s interface balances simplicity with powerful features, offering pattern-based routing, shape-based autorouter, and extensive design rule checking. DipTrace’s strength is delivering essential professional features without the complexity or cost of premium alternatives.
Location: Novgorod, Russia
Year Founded: 2004
Price Range: $-$$
Average Review Score: 4.0/5.0
Services Offered: Schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D modeling, and manufacturing outputs
Summary of Online Reviews
| DipTrace users praise its “affordable pricing,” “straightforward interface,” and “reliable functionality,” while noting “limited advanced features” compared to premium alternatives. |
Proteus Design Suite, for Circuit Simulation and PCB Design
Proteus Design Suite combines PCB design with advanced circuit simulation capabilities. The EDA tool includes extensive component models for enabling comprehensive system-level simulation. The platform serves academic markets well. However, commercial users also find the program effective for PCB layout. Proteus excels where circuit validation and educational demonstration are priorities.
Location: Grassington, UK
Year Founded: 1988
Price Range: $$-$$$$
Average Review Score: 3.9/5.0
Services Offered: Circuit simulation, PCB design, microcontroller programming, educational tools
Summary of Online Reviews
| Proteus users appreciate its “excellent simulation capabilities,” “educational focus,” and “comprehensive component models,” but note “high pricing” for full features and “interface complexity.” |
Fusion 360 Electronics, for Unified Design Platform
Fusion 360 Electronics integrates PCB design within Autodesk’s comprehensive product development platform. This promotes collaboration and supports its greatest asset, which is unified ECAD-MCAD workflows. This integration reduces design iterations and improves overall product development efficiency. The design environment includes standard PCB design capabilities, but lacks some specialized features found in dedicated EDA tools.Â
Location: San Francisco, CA
Year Founded: 2012 (Fusion 360)
Price Range: $$$
Average Review Score: 3.8/5.0
Services Offered: Integrated PCB design, mechanical design, collaboration, product development
Summary of Online Reviews
| Fusion 360 users appreciate “unified design environment,” “ECAD-MCAD integration,” and “comprehensive platform,” though some mention “limited specialized PCB features” compared to dedicated tools. |
Autodesk Eagle, for Entry-Level Professional Design
Autodesk Eagle provides accessible PCB design capabilities through integration with the Fusion 360 ecosystem. The program is best for engineers transitioning from breadboard prototypes to professional PCB development. Eagle lacks some advanced features found in higher-tier solutions; however, it provides solid foundational capabilities for non-complex PCB projects. NOTE: Autodesk plans to discontinue offering and supporting Eagle in 2026.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Year Founded: 1988 (Eagle), 2016 (Autodesk acquisition)
Price Range: $$
Average Review Score: 3.8/5.0
Services Offered: PCB design, schematic capture, Fusion 360 integration
Summary of Online Reviews
| Eagle users value its “straightforward interface,” “reasonable pricing,” and “Fusion integration,” while expressing concerns about “limited development” and “feature gaps” compared to alternatives. |
The Top EDA Tools by Specialty
We also listed the top companies into three subcategories based on specialty:
Best Enterprise EDA Solutions
- Cadence Allegro
- Siemens PADS/Xpedition
- Altium Designer
Best Budget-Conscious EDA Tools
- KiCad
- DipTrace
- EasyEDA
Best Cloud-Integrated EDA Platforms
- OrCAD X
- Altium Designer
- EasyEDA
The complexity of PCB design today often requires capabilities not found in many EDA tools. For example, advanced simulation for compliance verification typically necessitates the integration with a PCB support software program. To ensure that you choose the best program for your current and evolving project needs, the best option is to rely on the industry leader for supplying engineers with the best software, training, and support to help them meet objectives most efficiently.Â
