Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Scilab VS LTspice

Compare Scilab VS LTspice and see what are their differences

Scilab logo Scilab

Scilab Official Website. Enter your search in the box aboveAbout ScilabScilab is free and open source software for numerical . Thanks for downloading Scilab!

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.
  • Scilab Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-10
  • LTspice Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-28

Scilab features and specs

  • Open Source
    Scilab is free and open-source software, allowing users to access the source code and modify it to suit their needs without any cost.
  • Extensive Mathematical Functionality
    Scilab provides a wide range of mathematical functions and capabilities for numerical computation, making it suitable for a variety of scientific and engineering applications.
  • Toolboxes and Modules
    It offers various built-in toolboxes and modules for specialized tasks, such as signal processing, control systems, and optimization, expanding its functionality.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Scilab runs on different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for users working in diverse environments.
  • Strong Community Support
    A large and active user community means that users can find plenty of support, tutorials, and third-party contributions, easing the learning curve.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Scilab can be easily integrated with other software and tools, such as Modelica for modeling and simulation, enhancing its versatility in different workflows.

Possible disadvantages of Scilab

  • Performance
    Scilab may not be as performance-optimized as some other numerical computation software, like MATLAB, especially for very large datasets or highly complex calculations.
  • Learning Curve
    While Scilab is powerful, it can be challenging for beginners to master due to its extensive functionality and the need to learn its scripting language.
  • Less Commercial Support
    As open-source software, Scilab does not offer the same level of commercial support or extensive professional resources that are available for some paid alternatives like MATLAB.
  • Documentation Quality
    Although Scilab has a lot of documentation, some users find that it lacks depth or clarity compared to other software, making it harder to find thorough explanations or examples.
  • Graphical User Interface
    The graphical user interface (GUI) of Scilab is not as polished or user-friendly as that of some competitor tools, which can impact user experience.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Interoperability with MATLAB can be limited, potentially causing issues when porting code or collaborating with MATLAB users.

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 Scilab

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Scilab is a robust and cost-effective alternative to other commercial numerical computation software. Its strengths lie in its flexibility and the support of a large community of users and contributors.

Why this product is good

  • Scilab is considered good by many due to its open-source nature, comprehensive capabilities for numerical computations, and its extensive community support. It offers a wide range of mathematical functions for engineering and scientific applications and is particularly favored for its ability to handle complex data analysis and simulations. Additionally, its compatibility with MATLAB code and its powerful graphical capabilities make it a versatile tool for developers and researchers.

Recommended for

    Scilab is recommended for engineers, scientists, and educators who require a powerful computational tool without the associated costs of commercial software. It is also suitable for students and researchers who are looking to perform complex mathematical modeling and simulations.

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.

Scilab videos

Scilab IPCV 1.2

More videos:

  • Review - Raspberry Pi for Computer Vision with Scilab
  • Review - Tone Recognition with Scilab and LabVIEW to Scilab Gateway

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 Scilab and LTspice)
Technical Computing
79 79%
21% 21
Simulation
0 0%
100% 100
Numerical Computation
100 100%
0% 0
Electronics
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

Scilab Reviews

25 Best Statistical Analysis Software
Scilab is a powerful, free, and open-source software widely used by researchers, students, and professionals in various fields such as engineering, mathematics, physics, and more.
7 Best MATLAB alternatives for Linux
The syntax of Scilab is similar to MATLAB it also provides a source code translator to convert MATLAB code to Scilab.
Matlab Alternatives
Scilab is an open-source similar to the implementation of Matlab. The approximation techniques known as Scientific Computing is used to solve numerical problems. To achieve this, the team of Scilab developers made use of Solvers and algorithms to build the algebraic libraries. Scilab is one of the major alternatives to Matlab along with GNU Octave.
Source: www.educba.com
10 Best MATLAB Alternatives [For Beginners and Professionals]
Scilab has 1700 mathematical functions for engineering applications and data analysis. You can also use Scilab to solve various constrained and unconstrained problems such as shape and topology optimizations etc.
4 open source alternatives to MATLAB
Scilab is another open source option for numerical computing that runs across all the major platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux included. Scilab is perhaps the best known alternative outside of Octave, and (like Octave) it is very similar to MATLAB in its implementation, although exact compatibility is not a goal of the project's developers.
Source: opensource.com

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 Scilab and LTspice, you can also consider the following products

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

KiCad - A Cross Platform and Open Source Electronics Design Automation Suite

Wolfram Mathematica - Mathematica has characterized the cutting edge in specialized processing—and gave the chief calculation environment to a large number of pioneers, instructors, understudies, and others around the globe.

QUCS - Qucs, briefly for Quite Universal Circuit Simulator, is an integrated circuit simulator which means you are able to setup a circuit with a graphical user interface (GUI) and simulate the large-signal, small-signal and noise behaviour of the circuit.

GNU Octave - GNU Octave is a programming language for scientific computing.

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