Altium Designer
Altium Designer is a professional PCB design software providing a unified environment for schematic capture, board layout, and data management to streamline your entire electronics development process.
EasyEDA
EasyEDA is a web-based EDA tool suite that provides engineers and hobbyists with integrated schematic capture, SPICE simulation, and PCB layout tools to streamline the entire electronics design process.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Altium Designer | EasyEDA |
|---|---|---|
| Website | altium.com | easyeda.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $355/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 15 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1985 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | San Diego, USA | Shenzhen, China |
Overview
Altium Designer
Altium Designer provides you with a unified environment that connects every aspect of the electronics design process. You can move seamlessly from initial schematic capture to final board layout and manufacturing documentation without switching between different tools or file formats. This integration ensures that your design data remains consistent and synchronized across your entire project team, reducing errors and saving you significant development time.
You can manage complex multi-board assemblies, perform advanced signal integrity analysis, and collaborate with mechanical engineers through native MCAD integration. Whether you are designing simple consumer electronics or high-speed industrial hardware, the platform scales to meet your technical requirements. It is widely used by electrical engineers and hardware designers across industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical technology to bring sophisticated electronic products to life.
EasyEDA
EasyEDA is a web-based design suite that lets you create electronic schematics and printed circuit boards directly in your browser. You can move from a basic idea to a finished physical product without installing heavy software, as it integrates seamlessly with JLCPCB for manufacturing and LCSC for electronic components.
You can manage your entire workflow in one place, from drawing complex circuits to running SPICE simulations to verify your designs. It is built for everyone from individual hobbyists and students to professional electronic engineers who need a fast, collaborative environment to bring hardware projects to life quickly and efficiently.
Overview
Altium Designer Features
- Unified Design Environment Sync your schematics and PCB layouts instantly in one interface to ensure your design data stays consistent throughout the project.
- 3D PCB Editor Visualize and interact with your board in realistic 3D to check for mechanical clearances and ensure a perfect fit in the enclosure.
- ActiveRoute Technology Route complex high-speed nets quickly with automated tools that follow your specific design constraints and professional routing patterns.
- MCAD Collaboration Push and pull design changes directly to tools like SOLIDWORKS or Autodesk Inventor to stay aligned with your mechanical team.
- Hierarchical Schematic Capture Organize large, complex designs into manageable logical blocks to improve readability and make your circuits easier to debug.
- Supply Chain Integration Access real-time parts data and availability from major distributors so you can select components that are actually in stock.
EasyEDA Features
- Schematic Capture. Draw your circuit diagrams quickly using a massive library of over one million real-time updated symbols and footprints.
- PCB Layout. Design multi-layer printed circuit boards with ease using automated routing tools and real-time design rule checking.
- Circuit Simulation. Verify your circuit performance before manufacturing by running integrated SPICE simulations directly within the design interface.
- Team Collaboration. Work together with your colleagues on the same project in real-time and manage version control effortlessly.
- Integrated Manufacturing. Order your custom PCBs with one click through direct integration with JLCPCB for fast and affordable fabrication.
- Cloud Storage. Access your design files from any computer with an internet connection while keeping your data synchronized and secure.
Pricing Comparison
Altium Designer Pricing
- Unified PCB Design environment
- Schematic capture & board layout
- Basic data management
- Altium 365 cloud collaboration
- Standard component library access
- Online support and community access
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Advanced component management
- Managed simulation models
- Multi-board assembly support
- Rigid-flex design capabilities
- Enhanced MCAD co-designer tools
EasyEDA Pricing
- Unlimited public projects
- Up to 2 private projects
- Full library access
- Standard support
- Online PCB design tools
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Unlimited private projects
- Advanced team management
- Priority technical support
- Enhanced cloud storage limits
- Project permission control
Pros & Cons
Altium Designer
Pros
- Unified environment eliminates the need for manual data synchronization
- Exceptional 3D visualization capabilities for mechanical clearance checks
- Extensive component libraries with real-time supply chain data
- Strong community support and massive online learning resources
Cons
- High price point compared to entry-level PCB tools
- Significant system requirements for smooth 3D performance
- Steep learning curve for users switching from simpler software
EasyEDA
Pros
- Extensive library of pre-made components and footprints
- Seamless integration with low-cost PCB manufacturing services
- No installation required for the fully functional web version
- Intuitive interface is easy for beginners to learn
Cons
- Requires a stable internet connection for cloud features
- Auto-router performance can be inconsistent for complex boards
- Desktop client can feel less stable than web version