CircuitLab vs LTspice
CircuitLab
circuitlab.comLTspice
analog.comSide by side
| Figure | CircuitLab | LTspice |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 1 |
| Spec score · Electrical Design Software | 8.2 (#7) | 7.6 (#22) |
| Purpose | CircuitLab provides in-browser tools for schematic capture and circuit simulation for students, hobbyists, and professional engineers. | LTspice is a SPICE simulator, schematic capture tool, and waveform viewer for analog circuit simulation. |
| Simulation | It supports analog and digital simulation, including mixed-mode simulation, frequency-domain analysis, and parameter sweeps. | Its graphical schematic interface lets users probe schematics, run simulations, and explore results in the built-in waveform viewer. |
| Support | CircuitLab directs users to online documentation and community support forums; Enterprise support is listed with a response within 24 hours. | Users can ask questions, answer them, or comment about LTspice in the EngineerZone forum. |
Plans
CircuitLab
- CircuitLab Hacker Lite$16 a month
- CircuitLab Micro$24 a year
- CircuitLab Hacker$26 a month
- CircuitLab Pro$39 a month
- CircuitLab Hacker Lite$79 a year
- CircuitLab Hacker$129 a year
- CircuitLab Pro$399 a year
- CircuitLab Student Edition$2,400 a year
- CircuitLab EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
CircuitLab
CircuitLab provides in-browser tools for schematic capture and circuit simulation for students, hobbyists, and professional engineers. It supports analog, digital, and mixed-mode simulation, plus frequency-domain analysis and parameter sweeps. Users can import SPICE device models and use CSV files as signal sources. Schematics can be exported as PDF, PNG, EPS, or SVG, and unique circuit URLs make it possible to share designs or ask for help.
CircuitLab runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux and works in a browser on iPad. Its membership information also describes offline access through the Chrome Web Store and SSL-encrypted access. It offers a free plan and paid subscriptions, including Micro at $24 a year, Hacker Lite at $16 a month, Hacker at $26 a month, and Pro at $39 a month. The pricing note lists a starting rate of $2/mo (annual). Commercial use is permitted with Pro and Enterprise subscriptions; otherwise, the terms describe use as personal and non-commercial unless otherwise specified. Support includes online documentation and community forums.
LTspice
LTspice is a SPICE simulator, schematic capture tool and waveform viewer for analog circuit simulation. Its graphical schematic interface lets users probe a design, run simulations and inspect results in the built-in viewer. The download includes macromodels for most Analog Devices switching regulators and amplifiers, as well as a device library for general circuit simulation. Users can import third-party SPICE models implemented with .MODEL directives or .SUBCKT blocks. Designs from Signal Chain Designer, Analog Filter Wizard, Analog Photodiode Wizard, Precision ADC Driver Tool and LTpowerCAD can be exported to LTspice for simulation or verification. Tutorials address schematic creation, transient and AC simulation, waveform viewing, transformers, third-party models and noise analysis. The EngineerZone forum is available for questions and discussion. Analog Devices presents LTspice as an engineering design tool, with demo circuits and model libraries for designers. It is listed for Linux, macOS and Windows; the free plan specifies Windows and macOS downloads. A verified forum answer from an Analog Devices employee says telemetry is sent only if users opt in, and that the setting can be changed.