Schematic Capture programs

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This is the approved revision of this page, as well as being the most recent.

There is absolutely no standardization among different schematic capture / EDA programs. And, many are simply unusable for any serious work.

The difference between a proper schematic capture and a junk solution is you wasting time downloading one, and struggling to have it do what you want.

Among the features that were evaluated for are:

  • Ability to export drawing to an image
  • Free versions available
  • Proper symbol drawings for semiconductor devices (although libraries can fix this)
  • Actually made for schematic capture, and not generic drawing


The list:

  • Eagle. Free for. Has export. Idiotic library symbols. You can add other libraries, but those are scattered on the internet. Popular among hobbyists.
  • WorkBench MultiSim. No export (in version 8, version 11 untested). Lacks some needed library parts.


Zenit Suite KiCAD pcbartist_1_4 dipfree_en64 freepcb_1200_setup



Rejected: open_sch_capt. alpha_0p16_open_sch_capt




Individual products

  • Autotrax – EDA/DEX is a Windows XP/Vista/7 schematic capture / PCB design layout program with built in Spice simulator and 3D part and board visualization.
  • DipTrace – mid-range Schematic Capture and PCB Layout software that has a free version.
  • Edwinxp – Totally Integrated Schematic Capture, Simulation and PCB design software.
  • Electronics Workbench – Schematic Capture, Simulation and PCB design software suite.
  • Multisim – Schematic Capture and SPICE Simulation software.
  • Cadsoft EAGLE – Very capable mid-range Schematic Capture and PCB Layout software that has a free version.
  • Kicad – open source schematic capture and PCB design software suite
  • TARGET 3001! – mid-range Schematic Capture software that has a free version.
  • gEDA – open source schematic capture using gschem, simulation, and PCB design software suite

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)

Name Architecture License Autorouter Comment
Alliance POSIX GPL Alliance is a complete set of free CAD tools and portable libraries for VLSI design.
Electric *BSD, Java GPL Yes VLSI circuit design tool with connectivity at all levels. Can also be used for schematic entry and PCB design.
FreePCB w32 GPL Yes A printed circuit board design program for Microsoft Windows. FreePCB allows for up to 16 copper layers, both metric and English units, and export of designs in Gerber format. Boards can be partially or fully autorouted with the FreeRouting autorouter by using the FpcROUTE Specctra DSN file translator.
Fritzing w32, Mac, Linux GPL Yes Integrated tool for breadboard, schematic, and PCB design. Targeted at non-engineers (designers, artists, researchers, hobbyists) and users of microcontroller platforms such as Arduino.
gEDA *BSD, Mac, Linux GPL Yes Suite of applications for schematic capture, PCB layout editing (with autorouting capability), Gerber viewing, analog circuit simulation, Verilog design, and GTK-based waveform viewing.
Herb POSIX GLib GPL Herb is a complete set of CAD programs and libraries for the specification, design and validation of VLSI circuits.
Kicad Linux, w32, Mac GPLv2 Yes Unlike other free software alternatives, Kicad provides for all design stages through the same interface: Schematic capture, PCB layout, Gerber generation/visualization, and library editing are all standard features. It also has a "3D view" feature for PCBs.

It is available for all three major operating systems, and features a large selection of component libraries. Migration tools (for transferring files from other EDA packages) are also provided. The file format is plain text, and is well documented, which is a useful feature for content management systems.

KTechLab Linux GPL n/a KTechLab is a schematic capture and simulator. It is speciufically geared toward mixed signal simulation of analg components and small digital processors.
KLayout Linux, w32, Mac GPL - KLayout is a GDSII and OASIS file viewer and editor (if started in edit mode). Optimized for handling large data volumes. Editor mode functions include booleans, sizing, copy & paste, clip, undo/redo. Overlay capabilities for more than one layout. Ruby scripting interface (layout generation, editing, layout database access).
LayoutEditor Linux, w32, Mac GPL (Basic Version) / Commercial - A IC/MEMS layout editor. Features: all basic design functions, all angle elements, font generator, macros, boolean operations, design rule checker, netlists, LVS, full supported formats: Calma GDSII, OASIS (Open Artwork System Interchange Standard), DXF, CIF (Caltech Intermediate Form), imported formats: gerber, lasi, alliance
MyHDL Linux, w32, Mac LGPL An open source Python package for capturing and simulating hardware designs. Includes utilities for conversion to VHDL and Verilog.
Netlistviewer w32 GPL no Netlistviewer is a software which reads SPICE circuit description (*.cir file) and automatically generates schematics in graphical form.
Open Schematic Capture Java (programming language) GPL no Open Schematic Capture is a schematic capture and net list tool intended for analog or mixed analog/digital IC design.
Oregano GPL no schematic capture + spice simulation
ParC Posix GPL C++ extensions for Electronic system level and parallel processing. ParC is a front-end to GNU C++ that adds the HDL constructs for multithreading, with a view to moving the support downstrean into the C++ compiler at a later date. ParC should replace SystemC and is a functional superset of the Verilogs and VHDL.
QSCAD TCL/TK, Linux, w32 Artistic License Schematic capture + PCB design.
Quite Universal Circuit Simulator Linux, Solaris, Mac, NetBSD, FreeBSD, w32 GPL Schematic capture + Verilog + VHDL + simulation

Proprietary software