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SPECIFICTION
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KiCad

kicad.org

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Spec score 8.1 #9 of 41 in Electrical Design Software

What it is

KiCad is a free, open-source electronic design automation suite for schematic capture and PCB layout. Its electrical rules checker flags schematic connection issues such as output-pin conflicts, missing drivers, and unconnected pins. For board routing, the PCB editor offers collision-highlight, shove, and walkaround modes that respect design rules. An integrated 3D viewer displays board designs with a library of 3D models and supports ray tracing. Schematic netlists can be exported as Pspice, Cadstar, PcbNew, or generic XML. KiCad can import schematic work from Altium tools, CADSTAR, EAGLE, EasyEDA, and LTSpice, as well as PCB designs from a wider range that includes Allegro, Fabmaster, P-CAD 200x ASCII, and SolidWorks. The project aims to serve professional designers while staying approachable to new users. Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus Docker; the stable Linux release is an x86-64 AppImage. Most source code uses GNU GPL version 3 or greater, and libraries use CC-BY-SA 4.0. KiCad was first released in 1992 and is managed by the KiCad Development Team.

Spec sheet

Purpose
KiCad is an open-source electronic design automation suite for schematic capture and PCB layout.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
Audience
The project's stated goal is a cross-platform electronics design application for professional designers that remains approachable to new users.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
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.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
Founded
1992Read 28 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
3D preview
The integrated 3D viewer displays PCB designs with a library of 3D models and supports ray tracing.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
External tools
The official external-tools directory lists community tools including an InvenTree part database plugin and KiCad StepUp for KiCad and FreeCAD workflows.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
History
KiCad was first released in 1992 and is managed by the KiCad Development Team.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
Import compatibility
KiCad supports importing schematic designs from Altium tools, CADSTAR, EAGLE, EasyEDA, and LTSpice.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
Netlist export
Schematic netlists can be exported in Pspice, Cadstar, PcbNew, and generic XML formats.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
PCB migration
PCB design imports include Allegro, Altium tools, CADSTAR, EAGLE, EasyEDA, Fabmaster, P-CAD 200x ASCII, and SolidWorks.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
PCB routing
The PCB editor includes collision-highlight, shove, and walkaround routing modes that respect design rules.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
Platform limits
The stable Linux release is provided as an AppImage for x86-64 systems.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
Professional support
Listed providers offer private support, training, consulting, and custom development services.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
Schematic checks
Its electrical rules checker verifies schematic connections for output pin conflicts, missing drivers, and unconnected pins.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
System support
The official downloads list Windows, macOS, and Linux, and also provide a Docker download option.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org
Windows security
KiCad says Windows installer binaries have code-signed digital signatures that users can verify.Read 29 Sep 2026 · kicad.org

Plans and prices

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

Every KiCad plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free, open-source design suite.
  • Includes schematic checks and rule-aware PCB routing.
  • Provides integrated 3D viewing with ray tracing.
  • Imports designs from a range of named tools.
  • Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Limits

  • Stable Linux release is limited to x86-64 AppImage.
  • Most source code is under GNU GPL version 3 or greater.
  • Libraries use CC-BY-SA 4.0.

Who it suits

KiCad suits electronics designers who need schematic capture and PCB layout in one desktop application. The project states that it aims to serve professional designers while remaining approachable to new users.

Verdict

KiCad brings schematic and board design tools together, with routing, checking, 3D viewing, and import options. Linux users should note the stable release's x86-64 AppImage format.

Where Specifiction places it

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