Top 10 PCB Design Software Companies and Their Websites
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design is a critical aspect of modern electronics, enabling the creation of complex electronic devices. Several companies offer advanced PCB design software, each providing unique features and capabilities to streamline the design process. This article highlights the top 10 PCB design software companies and their websites, providing insights into their offerings.
1. Altium
Website: Altium
Altium is a leading PCB design software provider known for its powerful and user-friendly tools. Altium Designer, their flagship product, offers a comprehensive suite of features including schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization. The software is highly regarded for its advanced capabilities, integration with various design tools, and robust community support, making it a top choice for professionals and hobbyists alike.
2. Cadence Design Systems
Website: Cadence
Cadence Design Systems offers the OrCAD and Allegro PCB design tools, which are widely used in the industry for their powerful features and scalability. OrCAD is well-suited for smaller projects and beginners, while Allegro caters to more complex and high-performance designs. Cadence’s tools provide excellent integration with other CAD software, simulation capabilities, and design rule checking.
3. Mentor Graphics (Siemens)
Website: Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics, a part of Siemens, provides the PADS and Xpedition PCB design software. PADS is known for its ease of use and affordability, making it ideal for small to medium-sized projects. Xpedition, on the other hand, is designed for high-end, complex PCB designs and offers advanced features such as signal integrity analysis, thermal analysis, and 3D modeling.
4. Autodesk
Website: Autodesk
Autodesk offers EAGLE (Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor), a popular PCB design software known for its intuitive interface and comprehensive features. EAGLE provides schematic capture, PCB layout, and a vast component library. Its integration with Autodesk’s other design tools, such as Fusion 360, enhances its capabilities for designing complex electronics and mechanical systems.
5. Zuken
Website: Zuken
Zuken offers the CR-8000 and CADSTAR PCB design solutions. CR-8000 is a comprehensive design environment for multi-board and advanced PCB design, providing features like 3D multi-board assembly, system-level analysis, and concurrent design. CADSTAR, on the other hand, is more suitable for single-board designs and offers a user-friendly interface with powerful layout and routing capabilities.
6. KiCad
Website: KiCad
KiCad is an open-source PCB design software that has gained popularity for its powerful features and zero cost. It offers a suite of tools for schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization. KiCad is supported by a large community of developers and users, providing regular updates, extensive libraries, and tutorials. Its open-source nature makes it a favorite among hobbyists and small businesses.
7. DipTrace
Website: DipTrace
DipTrace provides a comprehensive PCB design suite that includes schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D modeling. Known for its user-friendly interface and ease of learning, DipTrace is suitable for both beginners and professionals. The software supports various import and export formats, making it versatile for different design requirements.
8. Proteus
Website: Proteus
Proteus, developed by Labcenter Electronics, is a unique PCB design software that combines schematic capture, PCB layout, and embedded simulation. This integration allows designers to simulate the operation of their microcontroller-based designs directly within the software. Proteus is popular in educational settings and among developers who need to prototype and test their designs efficiently.
9. EasyEDA
Website: EasyEDA
EasyEDA is a web-based PCB design tool that offers a range of features including schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation. Its cloud-based platform allows for easy collaboration and access from anywhere. EasyEDA also integrates with LCSC for component sourcing and JLCPCB for manufacturing, providing a seamless workflow from design to production.
10. Ultiboard (National Instruments)
Website: National Instruments
Ultiboard, part of the National Instruments suite of tools, offers powerful PCB design capabilities with an emphasis on integration with Multisim for circuit simulation. Ultiboard provides a user-friendly environment for designing, prototyping, and testing PCBs. Its integration with other National Instruments tools makes it ideal for users involved in comprehensive electronic system design and testing.
Conclusion
The PCB design software market is rich with options, each offering unique features and capabilities to meet various design needs. From industry leaders like Altium and Cadence to open-source solutions like KiCad, these top 10 companies provide robust tools that cater to both beginners and advanced users. By leveraging these tools, designers can create efficient, high-quality PCB designs, enhancing the development of electronic devices across various industries.