13 Most Used PCB Layout Design Tools

In the field of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) layout design, several tools are frequently used by professionals to create efficient and reliable designs. Here are 13 of the most commonly used PCB layout design tools:

  1. Altium Designer:

    • A widely recognized PCB design software offering a unified electronics design environment, including schematic capture, PCB layout, and other tools.

  2. Cadence OrCAD PCB Designer:

    • A comprehensive toolset that provides simulation, layout, and editing tools needed for the PCB design process.

  3. KiCad:

    • An open-source software suite for electronic design automation (EDA), used for creating professional schematics and PCB layouts.

  4. EAGLE (Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor):

    • A popular PCB design software with schematic capture, layout editor, and auto-router features, known for its extensive library content.

  5. Mentor Graphics PADS (Personal Automated Design System):

    • A PCB design package that combines schematic and layout capabilities with simulation and verification tools.

  6. Zuken CR-8000:

    • An advanced PCB design software offering 3D layout and a comprehensive suite of tools for end-to-end circuit design.

  7. DipTrace:

    • A PCB design software that features a schematic editor, PCB layout, and a pattern editor for creating and editing component footprints.

  8. Autodesk Fusion 360 with EAGLE:

    • Combining Fusion 360's mechanical design tools with EAGLE's PCB design capabilities, providing an integrated workflow for product developers.

  9. Proteus PCB Design:

    • A combined schematic, simulation, and PCB layout package with a feature set for the professional designer.

  10. DesignSpark PCB:

    • A free PCB design tool with comprehensive features that can cater to both beginners and experienced designers.

  11. CircuitStudio:

    • A professional PCB design tool from Altium aimed at hobbyists and smaller design teams looking for an affordable option.

  12. ExpressPCB Plus:

    • A US-based PCB manufacturer that offers free proprietary design software for their manufacturing customers, featuring simple interface and easy usability.

  13. EasyEDA:

    • A cloud-based EDA tool suite which integrates powerful schematic capture, mixed-mode circuit simulation, and PCB layout in a seamless cross-platform browser environment.

Each software has its strengths and caters to different aspects of the PCB design process, ranging from hobbyist level to professional-grade requirements. Selection depends on various factors including cost, complexity of the project, user interface preference, learning curve, and specific features needed such as 3D modelling or integrated simulation.

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