CircuitLab vs PLECS
CircuitLab
circuitlab.comPLECS
plexim.comSide by side
| Figure | CircuitLab | PLECS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 5 |
| Spec score · Electrical Design Software | 8.2 (#7) | 7.9 (#15) |
| Integrations | The feature list says users can import SPICE device models and use CSV files as signal sources. | PLECS Blockset runs inside Simulink, and PLECS simulation scripts can automate simulations and process results using Octave, Python or MATLAB. |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says CircuitLab may collect account information, cookies, request logs, communications, user content, and billing information. | Plexim's privacy policy says it does not sell or rent personal information and describes limited sharing with infrastructure, service and business providers. |
| Purpose | CircuitLab provides in-browser tools for schematic capture and circuit simulation for students, hobbyists, and professional engineers. | PLECS models and simulates power electronic systems, including converters, motor drives and control algorithms. |
| Support | CircuitLab directs users to online documentation and community support forums; Enterprise support is listed with a response within 24 hours. | PLECS support includes tutorials, application examples, technical solutions, installation help, a user forum and a contact-support channel. |
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
PLECS
- PLECS trial licenseFree
- PLECS Blockset Individual License (commercial)$8,000, paid once
- PLECS Standalone Individual License (commercial)$8,000, paid once
- PLECS Blockset Dongle License (commercial)$11,200, paid once
- PLECS Blockset Concurrent License (commercial)$16,000, paid once
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.