Software Alternatives & Startups

PureRef VS EasyEDA

Compare PureRef VS EasyEDA and see what are their differences

PureRef

The simple way to view and organize your multiple reference images.

PureRef Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
EasyEDA

EasyEDA - Web-based EDA suite; runs in browser.

EasyEDA Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, EasyEDA seems to be a lot more popular than PureRef. While we know about 44 links to EasyEDA, we've tracked only 4 mentions of PureRef.

social mentions
4 vs 44
Productivity popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
144 vs 94

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

PureRef
EasyEDA
Website pureref.com easyeda.com
Pricing
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PureRef 6 features
EasyEDA 7 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    PureRef offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to organize and manage reference images. The minimalistic design allows users to focus on their work without unnecessary distractions.
  • Lightweight and Portable
    The software is lightweight and does not require installation, making it highly portable. Users can run PureRef from a USB drive or any location on their computer.
  • Flexible Canvas
    PureRef provides a flexible canvas that can be easily resized and adjusted to fit users’ needs. This allows for seamless scaling of images without quality loss and the ability to organize the workspace freely.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    PureRef is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to maintain a consistent workflow across different operating systems.
  • Customizable Shortcuts
    Users can customize keyboard shortcuts to fit their workflow, which increases efficiency and speeds up navigation within the software.
  • Multiple Image Formats
    PureRef supports a wide range of image formats, ensuring compatibility with most reference images beyond basic formats like JPG and PNG.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Editing Tools
    While PureRef excels in organizing and displaying reference images, it lacks advanced editing tools, which means users need to rely on other software for image adjustments or annotations.
  • No Cloud Integration
    PureRef does not offer built-in cloud storage or syncing options, which could be inconvenient for users who work across multiple devices and want seamless access to their reference boards.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functionalities are easy to grasp, some advanced features and keyboard shortcuts may require time to learn and master, particularly for users new to PureRef.
  • Not Free for All Users
    Although PureRef offers a pay-what-you-want pricing model, users may face ethical dilemmas or budget constraints when deciding what to pay, especially if they plan to use it for professional purposes.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users report occasional lag or performance issues when handling extremely large collections of high-resolution images, which can disrupt workflow.
  • Web-Based
    EasyEDA is accessible through a web browser, which means it can be accessed from any operating system without the need to download software.
  • Free Usage
    EasyEDA offers a free tier with sufficient features for hobbyists and smaller projects.
  • Integrated Component Library
    The platform has a large library of components, which makes it easier to find and use components in designs.
  • Simulation Capabilities
    EasyEDA includes built-in simulation tools, allowing users to test circuits before creating physical prototypes.
  • Team Collaboration
    EasyEDA supports teamwork by allowing multiple users to collaborate on the same project in real-time.
  • Gerber File Export
    Users can export their designs into Gerber files, which are necessary for PCB manufacturing.
  • JLCPCB Integration
    There is seamless integration with JLCPCB for easy PCB ordering directly from the design interface.

Possible disadvantages

  • Internet Dependency
    Since it is web-based, a reliable internet connection is required for accessing and using EasyEDA.
  • Performance Issues
    For complex projects, the web-based nature can lead to performance lags and slower response times.
  • Limited Offline Capabilities
    There are limited options for working offline, which can be a hindrance in situations with no internet access.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may find the interface and functionalities a bit overwhelming at first, requiring some time to become proficient.
  • No Advanced 3D Visualization
    Compared to some desktop-based tools, EasyEDA lacks advanced 3D visualization features for PCB layouts.
  • Restricted to Specific Fabrication Services
    Although it supports Gerber export, EasyEDA is optimized for ordering PCBs from JLCPCB, which may limit choices for some users.
  • Data Security Concerns
    As a cloud-based solution, there may be concerns about the security and privacy of project data stored online.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

PureRef
EasyEDA

No analysis of PureRef yet.

Overall verdict

  • EasyEDA is generally regarded as a good option for hobbyists, students, and small businesses looking for a cost-effective yet capable electronic design solution. While professional architects might seek tools with more advanced features or offline capabilities, EasyEDA offers significant value for most users, especially beginners and those who appreciate the convenience of an online tool.

Why this product is good

  • EasyEDA is a web-based tool that provides a comprehensive suite for electronic design including schematic capture, spice simulation, PCB design, and PCB order. It is praised for its user-friendly interface, cloud-based accessibility, and the ability to integrate with LCSC for component procurement. The tool also offers a vast library of components and allows collaboration among team members which can be a strong advantage for projects that require teamwork.

Recommended for

    EasyEDA is recommended for electronics hobbyists, students, educators, startup engineers, and small businesses focused on rapid prototyping and cost-effective PCB design. It's also ideal for collaborative projects that benefit from cloud-based tools.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

PureRef 3 videos + Add
EasyEDA 3 videos + Add

The Best Free Tool for Artists - PureRef

More videos

  • Tutorial - PureRef tutorial: a free, cross-platform virtual board for artists!
  • Review - PureRef Review

EasyEDA - Free Schematic & PCB Design + Simulation Software Review

More videos

  • Tutorial - EasyEDA Full TUTORIAL + Create Component + TIPS
  • Tutorial - How to design a custom PCB using EasyEDA || JLCPCB Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
PureRef
EasyEDA
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using PureRef and EasyEDA. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

PureRef no reviews yet
EasyEDA no reviews yet

We have no reviews of PureRef yet. Be the first one to post

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

PureRef 4 mentions
EasyEDA 44 mentions
  • how do u guys organize your visual inspiration/refs digitally?
    I mainly use offline means: organising all my files in a hierarchy of folders and using pureref (which I highly recommend) to make moodboards, and ofc an external hard drive to save backups. The only online means I use is google drive... Source: about 4 years ago
  • HELP! So I want to trace this Image(704x702) into a Pixel art (32 x 32 or 40 x 40) but when I resize it, it gets like this (2nd picture) and if I don't, then the pixels are too small, What do i do?
    If you just want the image to be a transparent overlay while you draw 'through the image'(with it being unchanged) you can use something like Pureref(pureref.com) to set the image as always on top + turn opacity down a bit. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Hide user name in menu bar.
    If you can’t get it to work inside of max, I thought of a free easy workaround you could try. I use the software pureref to manage and quickly access reference images. You could just resize an empty pureref window to cover your username.... Source: over 4 years ago

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  • Show HN: I built a synth for my daughter
    As a hobbyist, I have had a good experience using EasyEDA [0]. It's free to use, with the caveat that you are pretty locked in to their PCB ordering service from China. However, pricing is crazy good, like <$50 total for 5 PCB's... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • LibrePCB – Create electronics the easy way
    Https://easyeda.com/ is another alternative that has PCB factories backing it up. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • What is "this type" of PCB "called"
    a bunch of pcb manfacturing places have their own layout software which may or may not suite your needs. E.g. JLCPCB is a very good board manufacturer (and cheap to boot), and their EasyEDA software looks sane. Digikey has SnapEDA etc. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to PureRef and EasyEDA

When comparing PureRef and EasyEDA, you can also consider the following products.