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Best Electrical Design Software in 2026

Electrical design work may involve drawing schematics, planning panels, or modeling electrical behavior. Compare schematic capture with electrical simulation, panel design, and standards libraries to see which listed capabilities fit your tasks; MCAD integration can also matter when mechanical design tools are part of the workflow. MATLAB Grader, KiCad, and ProfiCAD are among the entries. Deployment options, free-plan availability, and paid-from pricing provide further details to consider when assessing fit and cost. Weigh these criteria according to the kind of electrical design work you need to support.

41 apps
Research read 23 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

LibrePCB

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

LibrePCB brings schematic and board design tools together in a free desktop application, with offline use and project portability.

8.9 Free plan Visit site
2

CircuitLab

Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+2

Choose CircuitLab if you need browser-based schematic capture and analog or digital simulation, with sharing and export options.

7.6 From $2/mo (annual) Visit site
3

KiCad

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

KiCad covers schematic capture, PCB layout, checking, routing, and 3D viewing in a free suite. Check the stable Linux release's x86-64 limitation if choosing that platform.

7.4 Free plan Visit site
4

LabVIEW

Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1

Choose LabVIEW for engineering work that combines automated testing, instrument connectivity, and graphical programming.

7.3 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
5

ngspice

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

ngspice provides circuit simulation and model integration through netlist-based input, with no schematic capture.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
6

LTspice

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

LTspice combines schematic capture, analog simulation, and waveform viewing with a substantial model library and design-tool exports.

7.2 90-day trial Visit site
7

gEDA Project

Free plan Linux

gEDA covers multiple stages of electronics design in a free GPL suite. Its listed platform and source-build requirements are important considerations for prospective users.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
8

ProfiCAD

Free plan AndroidMacWindows

ProfiCAD focuses on electrical and related technical diagrams, with offline use and generated reports.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $277 · 30-day trial Visit site
9

QElectroTech

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

QElectroTech offers diagram creation, symbol editing and several export formats without licensing fees. It is not suited to users who need native DWG support, simulation or calculations.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
10

PSCAD

Free plan APIWindows

Choose PSCAD if you need a Windows desktop interface for EMTDC circuit construction, simulation, and analysis.

6.8 Free plan Visit site
11

SOLIDWORKS
by SOLIDWORKS
Free plan MacWebWindows

SOLIDWORKS combines locally installed design tools with cloud collaboration options and browser-based xDesign tools.

6.8 Free plan · paid from $2,820/user/yr Visit site
12

DipTrace

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

6.7 Free plan · paid from $75 · 30-day trial Visit site
13

AutoCAD
by AutoCAD
Free trial AndroidiPhoneMac+2

AutoCAD pairs drafting and modeling with specialized toolsets and collaboration features across desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

6.6 Visit site
14

QSPICE

Free plan Windows

Choose QSPICE if you need locally run circuit simulation with analog and digital support, compilers, and a Qorvo model library at no cost.

6.6 Free plan Visit site
15

ETAP

Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+2

ETAP combines electrical analysis, simulation, integrations and operational tooling for organizations managing complex power systems.

6.4 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
16

Altium Designer

Free trial WebWindows

Altium Designer brings board design, simulation, collaboration, supply-chain data, and integration into one environment.

6.3 30-day trial Visit site
17

DIgSILENT PowerFactory

Free trial APISelf-hostedWindows

PowerFactory offers a broad set of power-system analyses, automation options, and deployment editions. The demo is time-limited and restricted, while commercial prices are available on request.

6.3 Pricing on request Visit site
18

cofaso

Free trial Windows

cofaso 7 combines schematic, panel and documentation work with multiple exchange formats and licensing terms. Trial users should request the excluded libraries before evaluating component data.

6.1 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
19

Electrical Designer

Free plan Web

6.1 Free plan Visit site
20

EasyPower

Free trial Windows

EasyPower combines one-line modeling, electrical studies, arc-flash work, and Revit data exchange in a Windows desktop product.

6.0 Pricing on request Visit site
21

eCADSTAR

Free trial Windows

eCADSTAR combines PCB and schematic work with constraint management, component data, manufacturing portals, and BOM analysis.

6.0 30-day trial Visit site
22

PLECS

Free trial LinuxMacWindows

PLECS focuses on detailed power-electronics modeling, simulation, analysis, and optional code generation. The paid licensing structure and Blockset dependency are important when selecting an edition.

6.0 30-day trial Visit site
23

OrCAD X

Free trial WebWindows

OrCAD X combines PCB design with simulation and mechanical-design collaboration, while higher tiers add Live BOM and other capabilities.

5.9 30-day trial Visit site
24

iCircuit

Paid AndroidiPhoneMac+1

iCircuit combines circuit drawing, continuous simulation, measurement tools, and component customization across desktop and mobile platforms.

5.8 Visit site
25

KTechLab

Free plan Linux

5.8 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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