PCB design editors / #7
DipTrace
Easy to learn and fair to buy, but it stands alone: no built-in collaboration.
21/35Ranked #7 in pcb design editors
Last reviewed
- Who it is for
- Freelancers, small companies and educators who want a simple desktop editor with a one-off licence option.
- Made by
- Novarm
- Runs on
- Windows, macOS
- Cost
- Free edition with pin and layer limits, and paid editions. Check diptrace.com for current limits and prices.
- Poor fit for
- Teams that need shared review, and very complex boards.
Strengths
- Clean, approachable interface.
- Free edition for small boards.
- Imports from several other tools' formats.
Limits
- The free edition limits pins and layers.
- No built-in collaboration or cloud review.
- Smaller community than KiCad.
Scores and the reasons for them
| Criterion | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cost and licensing | 3/5 | Free edition with limits; paid editions listed on diptrace.com. |
| Learning curve | 4/5 | Known for an approachable interface and tutorials. |
| Library and part support | 3/5 | Standard libraries included; supplier data is limited. |
| Board complexity | 3/5 | Good for typical multilayer boards; fewer high-speed tools. |
| Output for fabrication | 4/5 | Gerber, drill, BOM and pick-and-place outputs. |
| File portability | 3/5 | Imports and exports several other formats; check the list for yours. |
| Collaboration | 1/5 | No built-in sharing, versions or review. |