ETAP vs LibrePCB
ETAP
etap.comLibrePCB
librepcb.orgSide by side
| Figure | ETAP | LibrePCB |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Electrical Design Software | 8.7 (#2) | 8.7 (#3) |
| API | etapAPI is a RESTful service for automation, scripting, and remote studies, and ETAP says it is accessed over HTTPS. | Developer documentation specifies a versioned JSON server API for online library resources and fabrication uploads. |
| Audience | ETAP says its solutions serve utilities, infrastructure, industries, and buildings, including designers, engineers, and operators. | The maker describes it as suitable for makers, students and professionals, from beginners to experts. |
| Founded | 1986 | 2013 |
| Product | ETAP provides software and hardware for electrical systems across design, engineering, operations, and maintenance. | LibrePCB is electronic design automation software for drawing schematics and designing printed circuit boards. |
| Support | Power Simulator subscriptions include dedicated priority support, according to ETAP. | User help is provided through the forum, Matrix, issue tracker and community; paid support and feature development are available on request. |
Plans
ETAP
- ETAP Power Simulator GrowPriced on request
- ETAP Power Simulator LaunchPriced on request
In their own words
ETAP
ETAP provides software and hardware for electrical systems across design, engineering, operations, and maintenance. Its modular energy management platform centers on a unified electrical digital twin for power system design, analysis, operations, and automation. ETAP 2026 includes analysis for renewable integration, feeder hosting capacity, Volt-VAR optimization, battery energy storage, and grid-code studies. Power Simulator is designed to predict system behavior, optimize grid performance, and run offline or real-time predictive simulations. DataX exchanges information across GIS, BIM, CAD, and legacy tools, with interfaces for products including Revit, AutoCAD, Excel, AVEVA, and ArcGIS. NetPM supports multi-user model creation, concurrent studies, change management, and role-based access. Grid Intelligence lists Modbus TCP, BACnet/IP, and REST protocols and integrations with systems such as SCADA, GIS, and OMS. ETAP serves utilities, infrastructure, industries, and buildings. Design and analysis products list supported 64-bit Windows systems; etapAPP is available for iOS, Windows, and Android tablets. Pricing is by customized quote, with a free 30-day demo and no free plan.
LibrePCB
LibrePCB is free, open-source electronic design automation software for drawing schematics and designing printed circuit boards. It runs as a desktop application on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and works fully offline without an online account. The schematic editor supports multi-page designs, live electrical rule checking, and automatic forward annotation to the board editor. Board tools include design-rule checking, a live 3D viewer, and multi-layer layouts with blind and buried vias. EAGLE projects and DXF files can be imported, while output jobs include Gerber, Excellon, CSV BOM, STEP, PDF, and SVG. An integrated library manager handles official libraries; users may also use their own. Projects and libraries use human-readable canonical text files, and projects carry their needed library items and settings. Users can order boards through LibrePCB Fab or export production data. GPLv3 licensing covers the source.