Software Alternatives & Reviews

KiCad VS FreeCAD

Compare KiCad VS FreeCAD and see what are their differences

KiCad logo KiCad

A Cross Platform and Open Source Electronics Design Automation Suite

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler
  • KiCad Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

KiCad

Categories
  • Design Tools
  • CAD
  • Electronics
  • Simulation
  • Computer Simulations
  • Automation
Website kicad.org
Details $-

FreeCAD

Categories
  • 3D
  • 3D Modeling
  • CAD
  • Architecture
Website freecad.org
Details $

KiCad videos

eevBLAB #62 - PCB Wars - The Rise Of KiCAD

More videos:

  • Review - Quickstart Intro to Kicad - Design a board in 5 minutes
  • Review - #132 Using EasyEDA and KiCAD for Improved PCB (dog deterrent)

FreeCAD videos

Is FreeCAD any good?

More videos:

  • Review - FreeCAD vs Fusion360 - What is the Best FREE CAD Program?
  • Review - FREECAD review | the best free cad software to download for free ! | mechanical modeling program

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to KiCad and FreeCAD)
Simulation
100 100%
0% 0
3D
0 0%
100% 100
Electronics
100 100%
0% 0
Architecture
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using KiCad and FreeCAD. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare KiCad and FreeCAD

KiCad Reviews

11 KiCad Alternatives
KiCad is cross-platform, open-source CAD software that is specifically built for the Electronic Design Automation Suite. It is a complete solution that comes with a simple interface that is packed with extensive features. You may quickly access all of the tools and create any type of electrical automation design.
Comparing the Top 5 CAD Software for Electronics Design Development
The KiCAD software interfaceKiCAD is a free software that runs on a number of platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS. Due to its open-source nature, KiCAD is widely used by hobbyists and beginners.
Source: hackernoon.com
Our Top 10 printed circuit design software programmes
KiCad is an open source, free printed circuit design software suite. It was developed by Jean-Pierre Charras from the Grenoble IUT in France in 1992. This design software includes diagram management, PCB routing and 3D modelling possibilities for electronics engineers.
9 Free CAD Software to Download
Want to design your next Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and don’t know where to start? Check out KiCAD. KiCAD is a free and open source PCB design tool that includes a project manager and 4 main software such as schematic editor, printed circuit board editor, GERBER file viewer and footprint selector for component association.

FreeCAD Reviews

15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
From the description “FreeCAD” you can decipher that this software is free to use. Hence, you can use it on Windows, Mac, and Linux amongst other operating systems.
9 Free CAD Software to Download
Although it is open source and free, FreeCAD is on par with other popular CAD programs due to its capability in creating real 3D solids, support for meshes, 2D drafting, right hand coordinate system plus many more features.
10 Free AutoCAD Alternatives
Its tools and concepts are quite similar to those of AutoCAD. So those who are already familiar with CAD will feel very comfortable using it. The FreeCAD source code can be downloaded, used and transformed as the user wants, because it is free. One of its most striking features is that by having a free source code, FreeCAD users have constantly changing software available...
Source: solidface.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FreeCAD seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

KiCad mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of KiCad yet. Tracking of KiCad recommendations started around Mar 2021.

FreeCAD mentions (2)

  • SOLIDWORKS for Linux
    Important note[0] from author: > With the help of my script, You get a way to install Solidworks on your Linux system. > Certain packages and programs that are required will be set up for You, but it's important to know, that my script only helps You to get the program to run and nothing more! Personally I may recommend try & use SolveSpace[1,2] and FreeCAD[3] — free & open-source 2D/3D... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • STL to Gcode for CNC Router?
    Also FreeCAD has a gcode workbench for full 3D. I've used it a little and would describe it as "usable once you work out the quirks". Https://freecadweb.org/. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing KiCad and FreeCAD, you can also consider the following products

Fritzing - Fritzing is an open-source initiative to support designers, artists, researchers and hobbyists to...

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

Proteus PCB design - Proteus PCB design combines the schematic capture and ARES PCB layout programs to provide a...

LibreCAD - An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.

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.

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.