You only pay the difference between each level. You can start with the $75 Starter version and work your way up as needed. However, most projects won’t require the top package, and you can get by with one of the lower level packages costing only $145 to $695. One of my favorite things about DipTrace is that it offers several upgrade levels starting from only $75. The top package is $995 and allows designs of unlimited size. Although Diptrace is a fantastic option for new designers, it’s also powerful enough to handle the most complicated designs. Plan on spending at least several days, but more likely weeks, learning how to use any of them (especially Eagle!).Ī powerful, but cheaper and easier to use PCB design package is called DipTrace, which is what I personally recommend, especially for new hardware entrepreneurs, startups and makers. The biggest complaint I have about Eagle though isn’t the cost, its’s how unfriendly it is to learn to use.īut, all three of them are difficult to use. This does make them more competitive although many will find the requirement to pay a recurring fee indefinitely to be a big negative for Eagle.
Most people developing PCBs independently, like entrepreneurs, hackers, and freelance designers, usually can’t afford to shell out that kind of cash on software.Īlthough significantly cheaper than Altium, OrCad is still really expensive with a price tag of $2,300.Įagle has changed their payment structure to a recurring fee of $60 per month, or you can save a bit by paying annually at $495/year.
A good amount of freelancers splurge on Altium because it’s what they already know. Because of that it’s also the package that many new freelance engineers are most familiar. It’s good software, but that’s pretty crazy.Īltium is the most popular PCB design package among those with a company’s budget behind them. Get your FREE Ultimate Guide - How to Develop Your New Electronic Hardware ProductĪltium Designer is considered the Ferrari of PCB design packages and starts at over $7,000! No that is not a typo. Although I’m a biased fan of DipTrace, you’ll learn it’s not the best option for everyone. Instead, I wrote this article to share my own experiences. There are many packages not discussed in this article because I’ve never personally used them. However, for hardware entrepreneurs, startups and makers I prefer a less well-known PCB design packaged called DipTrace.ĭisclaimer: This article is not intended to be an unbiased review of every PCB design package available. That being said, there are three PCB design packages that tend to be the most popular and considered the best: Altium Designer, Eagle, and OrCad.
There are numerous software packages available for designing printed circuit boards (PCBs), too many in fact.
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