KiCad

KiCad is ranked #7 of 41 in electrical design software on The Geeks Club. It runs on Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows. There is a free plan.

KiCad plans and pricing

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KiCad Free Free software; GNU GPL version 3 or greater kicad.org · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on electrical design software

Free plan: Yes
Schematic capture: Yes
Electrical simulation: advanced
Standards libraries: Yes
MCAD integration: Yes
Deployment: desktop

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KiCad

Purpose: KiCad is an open-source electronic design automation suite for schematic capture and PCB layout.
Schematic checks: Its electrical rules checker verifies schematic connections for output pin conflicts, missing drivers, and unconnected pins.
PCB routing: The PCB editor includes collision-highlight, shove, and walkaround routing modes that respect design rules.
3D preview: The integrated 3D viewer displays PCB designs with a library of 3D models and supports ray tracing.
Netlist export: Schematic netlists can be exported in Pspice, Cadstar, PcbNew, and generic XML formats.
Import compatibility: KiCad supports importing schematic designs from Altium tools, CADSTAR, EAGLE, EasyEDA, and LTSpice.
PCB migration: PCB design imports include Allegro, Altium tools, CADSTAR, EAGLE, EasyEDA, Fabmaster, P-CAD 200x ASCII, and SolidWorks.
External tools: The official external-tools directory lists community tools including an InvenTree part database plugin and KiCad StepUp for KiCad and FreeCAD workflows.
Professional support: Listed providers offer private support, training, consulting, and custom development services.
Windows security: KiCad says Windows installer binaries have code-signed digital signatures that users can verify.
License: The majority of KiCad source code is distributed under GNU GPL version 3 or greater, while its libraries use CC-BY-SA 4.0.
System support: The official downloads list Windows, macOS, and Linux, and also provide a Docker download option.
Platform limits: The stable Linux release is provided as an AppImage for x86-64 systems.
Audience: The project's stated goal is a cross-platform electronics design application for professional designers that remains approachable to new users.
Price from: Free

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Where it ranks on The Geeks Club

Best Electrical Design Software in 2026#7 of 41

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Sources

kicad.org/about/kicad/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/discover/schematic-capture/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/discover/pcb-design/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/discover/3dviewer/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/external-tools/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/help/professional-support/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/download/windows/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/about/licenses/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/download/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org/download/linux/· checked 29 Sept 2026
kicad.org· checked 28 Sept 2026