Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

gEDA Project VS LTspice

Compare gEDA Project VS LTspice and see what are their differences

gEDA Project logo gEDA Project

All about General Public License (GPL) and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software tools

LTspice logo LTspice

LTspice® is a high performance SPICE simulation software, schematic capture and waveform viewer with enhancements and models for easing the simulation of analog circuits.
  • gEDA Project Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-12-15
  • LTspice Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-28

gEDA Project features and specs

  • Open Source
    The gEDA Project is open-source software, meaning it's free to use, modify, and distribute. This can significantly reduce costs for individuals and organizations.
  • Community Support
    Being an open-source project, it has a vibrant community of users and developers who contribute to its improving functionality, fixing bugs, and providing support to new users.
  • Versatility
    gEDA can be used for a wide range of tasks including schematic capture, layout, simulation, and prototyping, making it a versatile choice for electronics design.
  • Linux Compatibility
    gEDA runs natively on Linux, making it an excellent choice for users of this operating system who need powerful electronic design tools.
  • Educational Use
    Due to its open-source nature, it provides an excellent learning platform for students and hobbyists who are keen to delve into the intricacies of electronic design.

Possible disadvantages of gEDA Project

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For those not familiar with electronic design or CAD software, gEDA may be challenging to learn due to its complex features and extensive options.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is community support, the official documentation can be sparse or outdated, which can be a hindrance to new users trying to understand the software.
  • Interface
    The user interface of gEDA is not as polished or intuitive as some commercial electronic design automation (EDA) tools, which can affect usability.
  • Windows Compatibility
    gEDA is primarily designed for Linux, and while there are ways to run it on Windows, it is not natively supported, potentially causing issues for Windows users.
  • Fewer Advanced Features
    Compared to commercial EDA tools, gEDA may lack some of the more advanced features and functionalities, which could be a drawback for professional use.

LTspice features and specs

  • Cost
    LTspice is completely free, providing powerful circuit simulation tools without any financial investment.
  • Speed
    LTspice is renowned for its fast simulation speeds, making it efficient for users who need to run complex simulations.
  • Accuracy
    The software is known for its high level of accuracy in simulating analog circuits, providing reliable results.
  • Component Models
    LTspice includes a comprehensive library of components, particularly strong in Analog Devices' components, which ensures a wide variety of options for users.
  • Stability
    The software is known for its stability, with fewer crashes compared to some other simulation tools.
  • Support and Community
    There is a strong user community and extensive documentation available, making it easier to find support and resources.
  • Integration
    LTspice integrates well with other CAD tools and design software, helping users streamline their workflow.
  • Backward Compatibility
    LTspice maintains good backward compatibility, ensuring that older circuit files remain usable in newer versions.

Possible disadvantages of LTspice

  • Learning Curve
    The software can be challenging for beginners to learn due to its extensive features and complex interface.
  • Digital Simulations
    LTspice is less robust for digital circuit simulations compared to specialized digital simulators.
  • UI/UX
    The user interface is considered outdated by some users, and the user experience may not be as intuitive as other modern tools.
  • Limited Multi-Platform Support
    LTspice is primarily designed for Windows, with less optimized support for macOS and no official Linux version.
  • Component Library Limitations
    While extensive, the component library is especially tailored to Analog Devices' components, which may limit choices for users needing components from other manufacturers.
  • No Built-In PCB Design
    LTspice lacks built-in PCB design capabilities, necessitating the use of additional software for PCB layout.
  • No Native 3D-View
    The software does not provide a native 3D-view of circuits, which can be useful in some design and analysis scenarios.

Analysis of gEDA Project

Overall verdict

  • Yes, the gEDA Project can be considered good for certain applications.

Why this product is good

  • The gEDA Project, hosted at gpleda.org, is an open-source suite of tools for electrical circuit design, simulation, and prototyping. It is well-regarded in the open-source community for being freely available and for providing a comprehensive set of tools suitable for a range of electronic design tasks. Users appreciate its modular design, support for schematic capture, and ability to simulate circuits effectively.

Recommended for

  • Hobbyists and students interested in electronics and circuit design.
  • Developers looking for a cost-effective (free) open-source alternative to commercial EDA tools.
  • Educators teaching courses in electronics who need a cross-platform schematic capture and simulation tool.

Analysis of LTspice

Overall verdict

  • LTspice is considered good due to its reliability, robustness, and the extensive support it has from its active user community. Users appreciate both its versatility in simulating complex circuits and its continuous updates and improvements from Analog Devices. It is particularly favored in the industry for analog circuit design and power electronics.

Why this product is good

  • LTspice is a popular and powerful circuit simulation software developed by Analog Devices. It is well-regarded for its speed, accuracy, and ease of use when it comes to simulating analog circuits. The software offers a comprehensive library of components, efficient simulation algorithms, and a user-friendly interface, making it a valuable tool for both professional engineers and students. Additionally, being freeware, it provides cost-effective accessibility to advanced circuit simulation capabilities.

Recommended for

    LTspice is highly recommended for electronics engineers, students, and hobbyists who are involved in the design and analysis of analog circuits. It is especially beneficial for those working with power electronics, filter design, and analog components, as well as educators who require a dependable tool for teaching circuit fundamentals.

gEDA Project videos

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LTspice videos

Quick Review about LTSPICE

More videos:

  • Review - LTspice IV Waveform Viewer
  • Tutorial - EEVblog #516 - LTSPICE Tutorial - DC Operating Point Analysis

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to gEDA Project and LTspice)
Simulation
18 18%
82% 82
Electronics
15 15%
85% 85
Design Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Computer Simulations
0 0%
100% 100

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Reviews

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LTspice Reviews

11 KiCad Alternatives
LTspice is a low-cost, high-performance SPICE simulation software that includes schematic capture, waveform viewer, and enhancing features to help you design a beautiful analogue circuit model. It can generate several micromodels for a wide range of analogue devices, including switching regulators, amplifiers, and other components. This platform has some intriguing features,...
Best Free Circuit Simulation software for Windows 10
One of its biggest selling points is its speed. LTSPice is probably the fastest simulator on our list. So, if you have a need for speed then you know which application will fulfill your appetite. LTSpice also has a Waveform detector, so, you can have a more clear perspective of your output. LTSpice has tons of bells and whistles that you will only if you download the...
Best circuit simulation software for electronics engineers
Electronics circuits simulation software is available from a mainstream analog chip company, Linear Technology, works on Windows, OS X. Although it is biased towards using their parts, it is flexible and can be used with other vendor’s parts.LTspice is much fast simulation of switching regulators with enhanced SPICE (compared to normal SPICE simulators).LTspice gives access...
Electronic circuit design and simulation software list
LTSpice – is a widely popular SPICE simulator from Linear. LTspice is a free circuit simulation tool from Linear Technology corporation. This simulation software is considered as one of the best freeware available. Highlight of LTspice is much fast simulation of switching regulators with enhanced SPICE (compared to normal SPICE simulators).LTspice gives access to over 200 op...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing gEDA Project and LTspice, you can also consider the following products

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