There are numerous software programs available for PCB design, ranging from free to paid options, covering everything from prototyping to industrialization. How do you choose between simple software for DIY enthusiasts and complex suites costing thousands of dollars?
Based on Proto-Electronics client preferences, we've listed the top 10 electronics CAD software programs.
EAGLE
EAGLE is a PCB design software developed by German CadSoft Computer GmbH in 1988 by Rudolf Hofer and Klaus-Peter Schmidiger. It was acquired by Farnell in 2009 and later by Autodesk in 2016. EAGLE stands for 'Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor'.
Autodesk EAGLE:
The software is available in three versions:
- EAGLE Free: Limited trial version for DIY enthusiasts
- EAGLE Standard: 99 diagram sheets, 4 signal layers, and 160 cm² PCB area
- EAGLE Premium: Professional version with unlimited PCB area
Features:
- Diagram editor
- Annotation of changes between PCB and diagram
- Layout diagram with advanced features
