Free Pcb Design Software Mac

If you’re looking for CAD software for Mac, you’re not without options. We’ve found some standout Mac and cloud-based CAD platforms for you.

PCB design software for everyone. Included with a Fusion 360 for personal use subscription, EAGLE free download is a limited version for hobbyists including 2 schematic sheets, 2 signal layers, and an 80cm2 (12.4in2) board area. McCAD PCB-ST Lite is the scholastic edition of the McCAD Pro Series. This FREE download is capable of doing small projects. It is an integrated PCB layout design environment for the board designer who does layout work and requires the availability of powerful design and edit tools at his fingertips. McCAD PCB-ST Lite is net list driven and suppo.

You’re likely to hit a wall if you’re searching for computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for Mac. There are plenty of CAD software options for Windows—you’ll see many of them in our list of the top AutoCAD alternatives—but only a handful offer support for Mac.

CorelDRAW 2020 unveils its fastest, smartest, and most collaborative graphics suite yet. With suites for macOS and Windows, plus CorelDRAW.app, the CorelDRAW 2020 software lineup delivers the power designers need to get from original concept to flawless output in record time. Global Nav Open Menu Global Nav Close Menu; Apple; Shopping Bag +. Search Support.

And, if you think you’ll bypass the issue by using a cloud-based CAD tool, you’ll quickly find that CAD vendors haven’t embraced the cloud as much as other types of software vendors have, so the offerings are still largely on-premise. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle for IT Evolution (full content available to Gartner clients), cloud-native CAD applications still have five to 10 years before they reach mainstream adoption.

But fear not, Mac users. We’ve done some digging and have put together this list of the top-rated CAD software for Mac. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.

5 Best CAD Software for Mac (presented alphabetically)

Jump to:


  • CorelCAD

  • FreeCAD

  • Fusion 360

  • LibreCAD

  • Onshape

1. CorelCAD

CorelCAD offers 2D drafting and 3D design capabilities, such as the drawing constraints feature for creating different geometric shapes faster and the push and pull feature for 3D direct modeling.

3D modeling in CorelCAD (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analyses of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of CorelCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • The short learning curve: Users mention that the tool is easy to use and beginners don’t have to spend a lot of time learning it.
  • Compatibility with multiple file types: Users like the fact that the tool is compatible with DWG, PDF, ACIS, DXF, STL, CDR, and other file formats.

What users think could be improved:

  • Software reliability issues: Some users mention that the software tends to crash at times.
  • Better dimension functionality: Some users would like a better dimensioning feature for more accurate drawings of angles and proportions.

Who can use CorelCAD

CorelCAD can be used by construction businesses for collaborative editing on multiple devices. It offers native iOS applications, which makes it easy for field crews to add annotations in graphics and share files using their iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the tool allows team members to leave recorded messages and instructions for colleagues embedded in the graphics using a voice note tool.

2. FreeCAD

FreeCAD is an open source CAD tool that works on Mac as well as Windows and Linux. It reads many common file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.

It offers different modules, including a drawing sheets module that converts 3D models into 2D views, a rendering module that can export 3D objects, and an architecture module for a BIM-like workflow.

3D model of a building in FreeCAD (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of FreeCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • Feature-richness for a free tool: Users mention that, although it’s free, the tool comes with a full set of features.
  • Reliability: Users mention that the tool does not demand a lot of CPU power and works well on devices with low RAM.

What users think could be improved:

  • Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
  • Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.

Who can use FreeCAD

FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It’s also good for users who don’t have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.

FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.

3. Fusion 360

Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing. Prolific driver windows 10.

Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
  • Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.

What users think could be improved:

  • System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
  • Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.

Who can use Fusion 360

Free Pcb Design Software Mac

Quickeys 4 for mac os x. Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.

4. LibreCAD

LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.

2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
  • Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.

What users think could be improved:

Free Design Software Mac

  • Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
  • Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.

Who can use LibreCAD

LibreCAD is an exclusively 2D CAD tool for drawing and designing blueprints of buildings, layouts of parks, and the like. As a free tool, the solution can be used by small and midsize businesses across different industries, including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.

Free Pcb Software For Mac

5. Onshape

Onshape is a cloud-only CAD solution that comes with features such as document management with version control, collaborative design creation/editing capabilities, and reporting dashboards to understand project status.

Importing documents in Onshape (Source)

Common user feedback trends

Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here’s an overview of the areas of Onshape they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.

What users like:

  • Document version control: Users like the document management features of the tool, such as version history.
  • Intuitive interface: Users mention that the tool comes with an intuitive interface for easy image editing.

What users think could be improved:

  • Performance issues: Some users mention that the tool does not function well on non-Chrome browsers and has file loading issues.
  • Lack of features: Users mention that the tool should improve certain features such as 2D drawing and 3D surfacing.

Pcb Design Software Mac Os X Free

Who can use Onshape

As a fully-cloud based tool, Onshape is ideal for businesses that need to manage design documents collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. The tool’s collaboration functionalities include document sharing, document editing, comments, and file downloads in multiple CAD formats, such as Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, and IGES.

Next steps

This report offers a mix of Mac CAD solutions—from free tools that can help you with basic 2D drawing to advanced solutions offering extensive 3D modeling functionalities.

If these tools don’t meet your needs, expand your search and check out more options. To help you, we’ve created a CAD software comparison page where you can explore products using different filters, such as features offered and pricing options.

If you’re looking to understand the CAD software market better, we also recommend that you read the articles listed below:

Methodology

To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:

  • Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as:
    • 2D drawing or 3D modeling features
    • Collaborative editing of drawings
  • Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years).
  • Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).

Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.

Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.

Are you looking for free PCB design software tools to get your latest electronic project implemented? Look at a list of 12 free PCB software that allows you to build your printed circuit board faster but without several hours of practice. Nearly all of the software packages mentioned here are free, and some software packages require payment. The main aim of these PCB design programs is to automate electronic circuit design and printed circuit boards.

Caption: PCB Design Software Illustration

Contents

1. PCB Artist

1.1 Features

PCB Artist of Advanced Circuits is a powerful software resource for electronics engineers finding a solution that is intuitive and simple to use. Electronics engineers often prefer PCB Artist as it enables them to save money and time.

1.2 Pros and cons

Caption: PCB

1.3 Cost

Free

1.4 Environment

It works with Windows only.

1.5 Suitable for the crowd

For intermediate and advanced users only.

1.6 Reviews

'The software is quite good, except it does not output Gerber files. In the version I used, the PCB file format requires you to use advanced circuits for manufacturing. Despite its deceptively simple-looking toolbars, very great depth is in the right-click menus. It keeps the new user experience from being overwhelming.'—FreewareFiles.

1.7 Download

http://www.4pcb.com/free-pcb-layout-software/

1.8 Social Accounts

1.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

2. Ultiboard

2.1 Features

With its transparent, software-centric platform that leverages modular hardware and an expansive ecosystem, National Instruments accelerates technological performance. Electronics engineers explicitly choose the Utiliboard of National Instruments because it offers a quick PCB prototyping environment for multiple applications.

2.2 Pros and cons

2.3 Cost

  • Free evaluation
  • Contact for the enterprise edition
Free pcb design software for mac

2.4 Environment

It works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

2.5 Suitable for the crowd

For beginners, intermediate, and advanced users.

2.6 Reviews

'It's a NI instrument product, and as usual, it's student-centric. Your expectation should not be like the professional tools out there in the market like Altium or Orcad. However, we find it easy to learn.'——G2

2.7 Download

2.8 Social Accounts

2.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

3. Altium Designer 17

3.1 Features

A tech company offering engineering tools for designing electronics based on PCs, Altium presents Designer 17. Many in the industry consider this PCB modeling program to be the gold standard for electronics engineers. Altium Designer 17 is valid, user-friendly, and satisfies the evolving demands of qualified engineers and technicians.

3.2 Pros and cons

3.3 Cost

  • Free
  • Contact for the enterprise edition

3.4 Environment

It works with Windows only.

3.5 Suitable for the crowd

For intermediate and advanced users only.

3.6 Reviews

'Altium Designer has thousands of advanced features to design PCBs. I like the ability to make files of the PCB to send online PCB manufacturing services. Altium supports a 3D view, and we can see how to fit PCB on my CAD design. Altium has thousands of flexible design rules and auto-routing options.'——Capterra

3.7 Download

3.8 Social Accounts

3.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

4. Solidworks PCB

4.1 Features

SOLIDWORKS provides powerful design technology for an electronic circuit, with the on-demand bi-directional integration with SOLIDWORKS CAD. And their PCB solution incorporates CAD and PCB design for seamless collaboration.

4.2 Pros and cons

4.3 Cost

Contact for price for different editions

4.4 Environment

It works with MAC only.

4.5 Suitable for the crowd

For advanced users only.

4.6 Reviews

'Version control implemented, and it supports with previously designed PCBs using Altium designer. Footprints and the 3d models of the components can easily design. It supports the libraries used in the Altium designer. And also, it supports earlier PCBs that are designed using Altium designer.' ——G2

4.7 Download

4.8 Social Accounts

4.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

5. DipTrace

5.1 Features

DipTrace is an electronics engineering PCB design software tool that includes an interactive design and great functionality. DipTrace offers smart manual routing and a form-based automatic router for PCB layout. Electronics engineers recommend DipTrace with direct circuit-to-board conversion, schematic updating, and back-annotation for its single setting.

5.2 Pros and cons

5.3 Cost

  • DipTrace Full: $1,195
  • DipTrace Extended: $695
  • DipTrace Standard: $395
  • DipTrace Lite: $145
  • DipTrace Starter: $75

5.4 Environment

It works with Windows, MAC, and Linux.

5.5 Suitable for the crowd

For beginners and intermediate users only.

5.6 Reviews

'DipTrace is one of the few PCB CAD software which is very user friendly. One can just start working without an event need to learn it. The GUI is designed in such a way that it's straightforward to understand what I have to do for my need.' ——G2

5.7 Download

5.8 Social Accounts

5.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

6. PCBWeb Designer

6.1 Features

PCBWeb is a free CAD program for electronic development and manufacturing. It has a multi-page design schematic shot, multilayer support for the printed circuit board layout, and a broad range of details.

By using this popular PCB program, multi-sheeted schemes can produce with a fast and easy to use wiring tool. Even you can direct multilayer boards with copper fill support and DRC checks. Additionally, you can find an integrated list of Arrow information with a specification manager.

6.2 Pros and cons

6.3 Cost

Free

6.4 Environment

It works with Windows only.

6.5 Suitable for the crowd

For beginners, intermediate, and advanced users.

6.6 Reviews

'The tool is easy to use. It lets you generate Gerbers, shares your project through Publish, and create custom parts. I think the integration of Digi-key parts in the tool is a big thing. Not all tools have this. Add to that the freedom of the users to choose from different board houses. On the contrary, there are still many areas that need improvement. But, seeing that the tool is still young, it's a nice start. I would love to see the tool to improve in the future. It has a lot of potentials.' ——PCBShopper

Free

6.7 Download

6.8 Social accounts

Caption: Close up computer screen view of PCB design layout routing process in specialized software

6.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

7. BSch3V

7.1 Features

BSch3V is a prominent PCB design computer program for electronics engineers needing a free solution from Suigyodo Online. BSch3V is a schematic capture program for Windows Vista/7/8/10 and has simple operating features.

7.2 Pros and cons

7.3 Cost

Free

7.4 Environment

It works with Windows only.

Circuit Design Software For Mac

7.5 Suitable for the crowd

For beginners only.

7.6 Reviews

'BSch3V is a schematic capture program for Windows Vista/7/8/10. The name 'BSch' is an abbreviation of 'Basic Schematic.' It has only essential functions to simplify operation.'——report

7.7 Download

8. circuits

8.1 Features

Electrical engineer Tim Edwards develops and manages XCircuit, electronic design automation (EDA) tool, and a schematic capture system for presentations. Electronics engineers render XCircuit part of their PCB application software toolbox while drawing worth publishing-quality schematic circuit diagrams and related figures and generating network circuit lists via schematic capture.

8.2 Pros and cons

8.3 Cost

Free

8.4 Environment

It works with Windows and Linux only.

8.5 Suitable for the crowd

For beginners only.

8.6 Reviews

'Circuit components are kept in and recovered from fully editable libraries. the circuit does not isolate artistic expression from circuit drawing; it maintains flexibility in style without compromising the power of schematic capture.'——wiki.TCL-lang

8.7 Download

8.8 Recommended excellent tutorial

9. Gerbv

9.1 Features

Gerbv is a free software Gerber file viewer, available on Sourceforge only for RS-274X. Electronics engineers may install several files with Gerbv on top of each other.

9.2 Pros and cons

9.3 Cost

Free

9.4 Environment

It works with Linux and MAC only.

9.5 Suitable for the crowd

For beginners only.

9.6 Reviews

'It solves so many issues. Now I can see how screwed my mask and paste layers are! The only thing missing is remembering where I left it, every time you open the viewer, you have to size it to fit your screen, no big.' ——SOURCEFORGE

9.7 Download

9.8 Social Accounts

9.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

10. KiCad

10.1 Features

KiCad is an open-source and cross-platform electronic design automation program that works with Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can build your design with the circuit editor without any limitations. There are no paid networks to access features, as well.

The authorized symbols repository and the built-in symbols editor enable you to work on your projects quickly. Using up to 32 layers of Copper, you will be able to build professional PCB layouts. Decipher tools keygen torrent.

This free PCB layout program comes with a push and shoves router that can route differential pairs and change trace lengths dynamically.

10.2 Pros and cons

10.3 Cost

Free

10.4 Environment

It works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

10.5 Suitable for the crowd

Only suitable for intermediate and advanced users.

10.6 Reviews

'The easy to use interface and the comprehensive component library made it a very effective one. All the components can found online, so no need to create a customized.'——G2

10.7 Download

10.8 Social accounts

10.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

11.DesignSpark PCB

11.1 Features

DesignSpark PCB is a typical and straightforward to learn free PCB design tool for circuit capture and electronic design automation arrangement of printed circuit boards. This innovative approach relies on a powerful software engine for capturing circuits, circuit boards, and layouts.

It is indeed popular with numerous users, from students to professionals. It is also the most excellent 3D modeling program that can create 3D views for your design's real-time visualization.

This program offers plenty of video tutorials on different topics related to software design and other useful tips. You can upload the required information using its library to develop your project quickly.

11.2 Pros and cons

11.3 Cost

Free

11.4 Environment

Best Free Pcb Design Software

Works with Windows only

11.5 Suitable for the crowd

Only suitable for intermediate and advanced users.

11.6 Reviews

'A very well designed and quite capable once you learn your way around the application. I managed to design a rather dense 4-layer PCB with 0.5 mm pitch QFNs and six mil trace/spacing without encountering any serious issues.'——PCBShopper

11.7 Download

11.8 Social accounts

Pcb Design software, free download For Mac

Caption: The concept of the technology of solid-state microelectronics

Pcb Design Software

11.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

12.Eagle

12.1 Features

EAGLE is an Electronic Structural Automation (EDA) program that enables PCB developers to easily link schematic diagrams, configurations of components, circuit board routing, and extensive library material. It just comes with a subscription to the Fusion 360.

With this PCB board design program, you can use SPICE simulation methods to test ideas quickly and quickly check the circuit output. All changes are synchronized automatically between your layout and the models so that you can focus on the creative process.

12.2 Pros and cons

12.3 Cost

  • FREE trial available for a month
  • EAGLE Standard Subscription
  • $15/month
  • $100/year
  • EAGLE Premium Subscription
  • $65/month
  • $500/year

12.4 Environment

It works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

12.5 Suitability

Only suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced users.

12.6 Reviews

'Autodesk eagle software best in design for multilayers single-sided and double-sided boards. All tools are simple and easy to know, and products are good for design. We can design a PCB board for simple and medium-size complex boards are fast. Best & faster for the schematic design and board design and component placement.'——G2

12.7 Download

12.8 Social Accounts

12.9 Recommended excellent tutorial

Conclusion

Considering our review, you should now be in a position to make a sensible decision. If you'd like a high-end PCB design solution, then, in this case, Fritzing is one of the best options. In situations where you are focusing on a large project but have a minimal budget, try ZenitPCB.

If you're a student or inexperienced in PCB design and you need an incredibly simple-to-use and very well-documented software, then EAGLE or EasyEDA will be of great assistance. If you are working for an organization but choose not to obtain a license, go to KiCAD.