(I.e. 16 Free Programs for Circuit Design, Simulation and PCB
Do you want to design electronic circuits, but don't know which program to choose? Or are you looking for a free solution that is truly reliable and easy to use?
In this guide we have gathered the 16 top free tools for PCB design, simulation and creation — from simple applications for beginners to professional programs used in industry.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your work, here you'll find the right tool for your needs. Let's see which one best suits your project! ⚡
📋 Article Contents
- (I.e. ProfiCAD
- (I.e. whats up
- (I.e. PCB Artist
- (I.e. TinyCAD
- (I.e. PCB Creator
- (I.e. circuit diagram
- (I.e. FidoCadJ
- (I.e. EAGLE
- (I.e. Sch3V
- (I.e. CircuitMaker
- (I.e. Kicad
- (I.e. ltspice
- (I.e. DIYLC
- (I.e. upverter
- (I.e. EasyEDA
- (I.e. FreePCB
- 📊 Program Comparison
1
ProfiCAD
ProfiCAD is one of the simplest and fastest ways to create electronic drawings. Although it is easy to use, it is a professional tool used by thousands of technicians and hobbyists. You simply select the symbols you need and drag them onto the drawing. It works on all Windows computers (from XP and newer) and supports Greek and many other languages.
- Very easy to use – ideal for beginners
- Supports Greek and many languages
- Works on all Windows versions
- Does not support circuit simulation
2
whats up
Qucs is a powerful simulation tool that lets you see how your circuit will work before you build it. You create the design and then see the results in diagrams, graphs and measurements. It has a large collection of components such as diodes, transistors, filters, amplifiers and more. It is open source and is constantly being improved by the community.
- Circuit simulation before manufacturing
- Large collection of electronic components
- Supports many types of tests and analyses
- A little more demanding for those starting out now
PCB Artist is a complete program for designing printed circuit boards (PCBs). It includes a large library of ready-made components such as chips, diodes, resistors, transistors and capacitors. It is easy to use and suitable for both beginners and professionals. If you are just starting out, there are videos available that explain all the functions step by step.
- Large collection of ready-made components
- Easy to use for beginners and advanced users
- Many educational videos available
- Some limitations on file export
4
TinyCAD
TinyCAD is a completely free program for drawing electronic diagrams. It supports libraries of ready-made symbols, while you can also create your own. It is often used for clean presentation diagrams, but also for basic circuit design. It is compatible with other drawing programs, which makes it flexible for any user.
- Completely free and very easy to use
- Ability to create your own symbols
- Works with other circuit programs
- Does not support circuit operation simulation
PCB Creator is based on professional software and offers a complete PCB design environment. It is easy to use, with many features that cover both beginners and more advanced users. A simple registration is required to download it, but then you have access to a powerful PCB tool.
- Very easy to use
- Powerful PCB design capabilities
- Requires registration to download
Circuit Diagram is an easy-to-use online tool for drawing and sharing electronic diagrams. You can place components, change their values, and export the final design in SVG or PNG format. It supports extensions and includes all the basic symbols such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, and more.
- Easy creation and export of diagrams (SVG, PNG)
- Support for additional extensions
- Does not support circuit simulation
7
FidoCadJ
FidoCadJ is a lightweight and free application for electronic drawings, with a clean and simple interface. It requires Java to be installed, but offers a wide variety of electronic symbols such as switches, relays, transformers, coils, resistors and many more. Drawings can be exported to PNG, JPG, SVG, EPS or PDF, making it ideal for presentations and printing.
- Lightweight and completely free
- Large collection of electronic symbols
- Export to many file formats
- Requires Java to work
EAGLE is one of the most well-known and trusted circuit design programs. The Light Edition offers free use with some limitations, but remains extremely powerful. It requires basic electronics knowledge or experience with similar tools, but the manual and available tutorials are of great help. It is also widely used at a professional level.
- Powerful professional software
- Free use with restrictions
- Support from Autodesk
- Requires familiarization and study
9
Sch3V
Sch3V is a simple but useful open source program for Windows. It allows you to quickly design circuits using a library of logic, discrete and digital components. It supports up to 7 design layers and the ability to import images. The final design can be exported to BMP or PNG.
- Open source and free
- Supports multiple levels
- Export to images
- More limited than more modern tools
10
CircuitMaker
CircuitMaker is more than just a free PCB design program — it’s a community of creators. It offers unlimited professional capabilities, and you can find thousands of ready-made designs from other users. It supports team collaboration, making it ideal for students, makers, and professionals. It requires a simple registration to get started.
- Free without restrictions
- Collaboration with other users
- Large community with ready-made designs
- Requires registration
11
KiCad EDA
KiCad is one of the most powerful free tools for designing electronic circuits and PCBs. It supports Greek menu, has a huge symbol library and allows professional design with up to 32 layers. The built-in 3D viewer allows you to rotate and examine your board from every angle, which is very useful for detailed inspection.
- Open source and completely free
- Supports Greek
- Professional design with up to 32 layers
- View 3D model
- More suitable for experienced users
12
ltspice
LTspice is one of the most reliable and fast analog circuit simulators. It includes a huge library of over 2.000 symbols and components, and you can also create your own. It offers detailed analysis, graphs, and examples within the help menu. It is ideal for those who want accurate simulation before building a circuit.
- High-precision professional simulator
- Huge library of components
- Free and reliable
- More difficult for beginners
13
DIYLC
DIYLC is a free design tool created with the help of an active DIY community. It aims to provide a simple yet powerful environment for anyone who wants to design circuits, especially for DIY projects such as amplifiers, guitar pedals, and small breadboards. It runs on any computer with Java and is completely free.
- Free and open source
- User friendly
- Active community with frequent improvements
- Requires Java installation
14
upverter
Upverter is a modern online platform that allows you to design circuits directly from your browser. It requires no installation and offers real-time collaboration, making it ideal for teams, students, and makers. Its interface is clean and easy to use, while its capabilities cover both simple and more complex designs.
- Works directly in the browser
- No installation required
- Real-time collaboration
- Some limitations in the free version
15
EasyEDA
EasyEDA is one of the most modern circuit and PCB design tools. It has a huge library of over 5 million components, which saves designers a lot of time. It allows you to create or import your own libraries and connects directly to LCSC and JLCPCB for easy material sourcing and board manufacturing. It is free, works in the cloud and is ideal for beginners and professionals.
- Over 5 million parts
- Connecting with stores to purchase materials
- Free and cloud-based
- Requires internet connection
16
FreePCB
LibrePCB is a powerful open source tool that aims to bridge the gap between complex professional programs and simple free tools. It offers a clean interface, many design features, and compatibility with various file formats. It is ideal for those who want a free but powerful PCB tool without a steep learning curve.
- Open source and free
- Powerful PCB design tool
- Compatible with many file formats
- Requires a little getting used to at first
📌 To summarize – Which Program Should I Choose?
🎓 For beginners
- ProfiCAD – Extremely simple, ideal for the first steps
- PCB Artist – Friendly, with detailed video instructions
- TinyCAD – Free, lightweight and easy to use
- DIYLC – Perfect for DIYers and small projects
💼 For professionals
- Kicad – Complete, powerful and completely free
- EAGLE – Industrial standard with high reliability
- ltspice – For accurate simulation of analog circuits
- EasyEDA – Huge library of 5M+ components
🧪 For Circuit Testing
- whats up – Full simulator with many resolutions
- ltspice – Professional high-precision tool
🌐 For Online Use
- upverter – Runs directly in the browser
- CircuitMaker – With a large community and collaboration
- EasyEDA – Cloud-based, no installation required
💬 Which program do I use?
After several tests, I have concluded that there is no "one" program that covers all needs. Each tool has its strengths and I use it depending on the project.
- For quick diagrams: I use it TinyCAD or ProfiCAD because it is simple and direct.
- For PCB design: I prefer it Kicad thanks to professional features and the 3D viewer.
- For simulation: This makes it a perfect choice for people with diabetes and for those who want to lose weight or follow a balanced diet. ltspice remains the most reliable for analog circuits.
- For online work: This makes it a perfect choice for people with diabetes and for those who want to lose weight or follow a balanced diet. EasyEDA It's fast, practical and requires no installation.
The most important thing is to choose the tool that suits your level and the way you work. Don't hesitate to try 2–3 applications until you find the one that "fits" you best!
📘 Comparison of 16 Electronic Circuits Programs
| Program | Type | Difficulty | Platform | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProfiCAD | Schematic | Beginner | Windows | Free |
| whats up | Digital | Average | Win / Mac / Linux | Free |
| PCB Artist | PCB Design | Beginner | Windows | Free |
| TinyCAD | Schematic | Beginner | Windows | Free |
| PCB Creator | PCB Design | Average | Windows | Freemium |
| circuit diagram | Schematic | Beginner | Windows | Free |
| FidoCadJ | Schematic | Beginner | Win / Mac / Linux | Free |
| EAGLE | PCB + Schematic | Average | Win / Mac / Linux | Freemium |
| Sch3V | Schematic | Beginner | Windows | Free |
| CircuitMaker | PCB Design | Average | Windows | Free |
| Kicad | PCB + Schematic | Advanced | Win / Mac / Linux | Free |
| ltspice | Digital | Average | Win / Mac | Free |
| DIYLC | Schematic + Layout | Beginner | Win / Mac / Linux | Free |
| upverter | Online PCB | Average | Website | Freemium |
| EasyEDA | Online PCB + Schematic | Beginner | Website | Free |
| FreePCB | PCB + Schematic | Average | Win / Mac / Linux | Free |
💡 Selection Tips
If you are starting now: The ProfiCAD and TinyCAD are the easiest solutions. You will learn quickly without getting confused.
If you want to see how the circuit works: Select - Επιλέξτε whats up ή ltspiceThey will show you the behavior of the circuit before you build it.
If you need a professional tool: The Kicad It's top-notch, free and with a Greek menu. Ideal for serious projects.
If you don't want to install: The EasyEDA and upverter They operate 100% online, from any computer.
If you want to collaborate with others: The CircuitMaker It offers community, ready-made plans and the possibility of teamwork.
Our conclusion: There is no “best” program for everyone. There is a best for you and your needs. Start with something simple, learn the basics, and move on to more advanced tools when you feel comfortable.
🎯 Get Started Today!
Choose the app that suits you and start creating your own electronic circuits with confidence and ease!
Last updated: January 2026
RELATED TOPICS
Loading comments...