Top 13 Popular PCB Layout Design Software Tools
In the realm of electronics design automation (EDA), a plethora of tools cater to various needs, from hobbyists to professional engineers. This article provides a high-level overview of the distinctions between leading EDA platforms, focusing on user interface, 3D visualization, and routing and simulation capabilities.
## Comparison Table
| Tool | User Interface (UI) | 3-D Visualization | Routing Capabilities | Simulation Capabilities | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | **Allegro PCB Designer** | Advanced, professional, steep learning curve; multi-pane layout for complex projects | Strong 3-D viewer with model import/export; collision checking | High-speed, advanced routing features; constraint-driven | Limited native simulation; integrates with Sigrity for SI/PI | | **Altium Designer** | Modern, intuitive, customizable; good for both beginners and pros | Robust 3-D viewer with MCAD integration; real-time visualization | Advanced autorouting, interactive trace planning | Integrated signal integrity, power integrity, SPICE, and mixed-signal simulation | | **Ansys RedHawk** | Engineering-focused, not PCB-oriented; for advanced SI/PI analysis | Not designed for board 3-D design; focuses on chip-level analysis | Not a PCB router; focuses on power integrity, signal analysis | Best-in-class power, thermal, and signal integrity for ICs | | **Autodesk EAGLE** | Easy-to-use, hobbyist-friendly, but lacks some advanced features | Limited 3-D (requires Autodesk Fusion 360 integration) | Basic autorouter; manual routing preferred | Simulation is basic (SPICE, not all features available in free/standard versions) | | **DipTrace** | Intuitive, suitable for small to medium teams and individuals | Good 3-D preview, supports STEP export | Advanced autorouter, interactive routing | SPICE-based simulation for circuits; not as extensive as others | | **EasyEDA** | Web-based, simple, but less professional; good for beginners | Limited 3-D viewer; requires export for advanced visualization | Basic to moderate autorouting | Free online SPICE simulation; good for learning and simple boards | | **ExpressPCB Plus** | Very simple, limited functionality for hobbyists | No 3-D visualization | Manual routing only | No simulation features | | **KiCad EDA** | Open source, improving UI; now more user-friendly | Good 3-D viewer with MCAD export and STEP support | Advanced autorouter, improved in recent versions | Built-in SPICE and signal integrity, though not as robust as commercial tools | | **OrCAD** | Professional, somewhat dated UI; robust for complex projects | 3-D viewer available, but not as advanced as Altium | Advanced routing (Allegro-based engine); constraint-driven | Extensive simulation (PSpice); industry standard for SI/PI | | **Siemens EDA (PADS/Xpedition)** | Professional, modular interface; can be complex | Strong 3-D visualization and MCAD integration | Advanced routing, high-speed, constraint-driven | Robust simulation (HyperLynx for SI/PI) | | **Zuken CADSTAR** | Professional, streamlined for SMBs; easy-to-use for medium complexity | Basic 3-D preview; supports MCAD export | Advanced autorouter, constraint-driven | Limited native simulation; integrates with third-party tools | | **Zuken CR-8000** | Highly customizable, professional, and scalable for large teams | Extensive 3-D visualization and MCAD integration | Advanced routing and autorouting; high-speed constraints | Advanced simulation, signal integrity, and co-design features |
## Key Feature Summaries
### User Interface (UI) - **Altium Designer**: Modern, customizable, and widely regarded as the most intuitive for both novice and expert users. - **KiCad EDA**: Open source, rapidly improving UI, now competitive in usability for most users[3]. - **Allegro PCB Designer** and **OrCAD**: Professional-grade, but have a steeper learning curve and more dated workflows. - **EAGLE** and **EasyEDA**: Designed with hobbyists in mind; EAGLE is now part of Autodesk and integrates with Fusion 360 for a smoother workflow for some users. - **Siemens EDA (PADS/Xpedition)**: Modular, robust, but can be complex for new users. - **Zuken CR-8000/CADSTAR**: Professional, with CR-8000 being more advanced and scalable. - **ExpressPCB Plus**: Extremely simple, but lacks advanced features.
### 3-D Visualization - **Altium Designer**: Offers robust 3-D visualization with MCAD integration, real-time visualization, and collision checking. - **KiCad EDA**: Strong 3-D viewer with MCAD export and STEP support. - **Allegro PCB Designer** and **Siemens EDA (Xpedition)**: Excellent 3-D viewers and MCAD integration. - **EAGLE**: Limited 3-D; requires Fusion 360 integration. - **EasyEDA** and **DipTrace**: Basic 3-D viewers; DipTrace supports STEP export. - **Zuken CR-8000**: Extensive 3-D and MCAD integration. - **ExpressPCB Plus**: No 3-D visualization.
### Routing and Simulation Capabilities - **Allegro PCB Designer**, **Altium Designer**, and **Siemens EDA (Xpedition)**: Advanced routing features, constraint-driven, high-speed, and autorouting. All integrate with robust simulation tools for signal and power integrity. - **KiCad EDA**: Advanced autorouter, improved routing, and built-in SPICE and SI simulation. - **OrCAD**: Advanced routing (Allegro-based), extensive SPICE and SI/PI simulation. - **DipTrace**: Advanced autorouter, interactive routing, SPICE-based simulation. - **EasyEDA**: Basic to moderate routing, free SPICE simulation, limited advanced features. - **EAGLE**: Basic autorouter, manual routing preferred, SPICE simulation in paid versions. - **ExpressPCB Plus**: Manual routing only, no simulation. - **Zuken CADSTAR**: Advanced autorouter, limited native simulation. - **Zuken CR-8000**: Advanced routing, high-speed constraints, and advanced simulation features.
## Additional Notes
- **AI and Cloud**: Altium 365 offers cloud-based real-time collaboration, which is highly regarded for team projects[3]. Siemens EDA is also integrating AI for design exploration and verification, offering significant productivity improvements[1]. - **Simulation**: Ansys RedHawk is not a PCB design tool but is included for its advanced SI/PI and thermal simulation for IC analysis. - **Professional Use**: Allegro, Altium, Siemens EDA (Xpedition), and Zuken CR-8000 are the top choices for large, complex projects. - **Hobbyists and Education**: KiCad, EAGLE, EasyEDA, and ExpressPCB Plus are more suitable for smaller projects or those with budget constraints.
This comparison highlights that the choice of EDA tool depends largely on project complexity, team collaboration needs, and the level of integration with other engineering disciplines such as mechanical design and simulation. For advanced PCB design, Altium Designer, Allegro PCB Designer, and Siemens EDA (Xpedition) lead with robust interfaces, strong 3D visualization, and comprehensive routing and simulation capabilities. KiCad and DipTrace are excellent open-source and budget-friendly alternatives[2][3]. Zuken CR-8000 is tailored for high-speed designs, including signal integrity analysis, automated time domain reflectometry, PCB eye diagrams, and EMC simulation. KiCad is an open-source and free PCB design tool. ExpressPCB Plus offers a powerful auto-router, using cutting-edge algorithms to shorten traces, reduce interference, and improve signal integrity. KiCad is cross-platform compatible, available for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
The stackup designer might need to carefully consider the controlled impedance when choosing the layering sequence for a PCB design using Altium Designer, given its advanced routing and simulation capabilities in handling high-speed designs. On the other hand, for hobbyists who are passionate about creating their own gadgets, KiCad EDA could be a suitable option as it offers a user-friendly interface and free SPICE simulation, perfectly fitting for learning and simple projects.
