Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →You can design a printed circuit board (PCB) without paying for desktop design software: KiCad is a free, open-source option for schematic capture, layout, simulation, 3D viewing, and manufacturing exports. Making the board is a separate cost. To keep a project affordable, choose software around your workflow, check the design before sending it to a fabricator, and compare the full delivered quote—not just the advertised board price.
Which free PCB design tool should you start with?
For a desktop workflow, start with KiCad. It is a cross-platform, open-source PCB design suite for Linux, Windows, and macOS. Its documented capabilities include schematic capture, PCB layout, simulation, 3D rendering, and fabrication outputs. The official documentation surfaced for this guide is KiCad 10.0.6; check the current documentation for version-specific details: KiCad 10.0 documentation introduction.
Choose EasyEDA if a browser-based design workflow and its component libraries suit your project. Its official page also describes a route from online design to fabrication. That integration may be convenient, but it does not establish that EasyEDA is easier, better, or cheaper than KiCad for every user. No comparative usability testing is established here.
| Option | What it offers | What to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| KiCad | Free, open-source desktop EDA software with schematic, layout, simulation, 3D, and manufacturing-output features. | Desktop workflow, operating system, features required, and export process. |
| EasyEDA | Free web-based design features and component libraries, with a manufacturer-linked workflow described on its official page. | Browser-based workflow, library needs, and whether an integrated fabrication path suits you. Privacy characteristics and feature-by-feature comparisons are not established here. |
Both tools address design; neither makes fabrication free. Select a design tool based on the workflow and outputs you need, then assess manufacturing separately.
#1 Best Overall
- Selection of Multi-Sized Proto Boards - 31 pieces double-sided prototype boards of 5 different size to meet your demands when designing your own Arduino kits, electronic experiments and DIY projects. （10 pieces 2*8cm, 10 pieces 3*7cm, 5 pieces 4*6cm, 5 pieces 5*7cm and 1 pieces 7*9cm PCB boards)
- Header Connector - 10 pieces 40 pin male header, 10 pieces 40 pin pitch right angle male headers, 10 pieces 40 pin female header; pitch: 2.54mm, single row and straight connector
- Screw Terminal Block - 8 pieces 5.08-301-2P and 5 pieces 5.08-301-3P ; pitch: 5.08mm, rated voltage: 300V, rated current: 16A
- Jumper caps - 30 pieces standard 2.54mm pin spacing circuit board jumper cap in 6 colors, 5 pieces per color
- Environmental and Elegant Packaging - Compact paper package take little footprint
What does a low-cost PCB quote actually include?
A displayed board price is not necessarily the delivered project price. The final amount can depend on board dimensions, layer count, material, thickness, copper weight, finish, quantity, build-time options, shipping destination, and other checkout charges. Shipping estimates can also change: JLCPCB’s quote workflow asks for order parameters and a shipping destination, and notes that shipping may be adjusted if actual weight differs from the estimate.
For an example of why the conditions matter, EasyEDA’s manufacturing page, accessed in 2026, displayed a price of $2 for 10 two-layer boards up to 100 × 100 mm, with FR4, 1.6 mm thickness, 1 oz copper, HASL finish, green solder mask, white silkscreen, and a stated 3–5 day build time. The same page displayed $33 for 10 four-layer boards under those listed conditions. These are vendor-published examples, not guaranteed prices or complete delivered costs; verify the live quote and checkout for your design and destination at EasyEDA’s PCB manufacture page.
Rank #2
- 32 Boards In Five Sizes: Choose 4 × 6 cm, 3 × 7 cm, 5 × 7 cm, 2 × 8 cm or 7 × 9 cm boards for compact circuits, controller interfaces, classroom soldering exercises and larger point-to-point builds
- Double-Sided FR4 For Soldered Prototypes: Approximately 1.6 mm FR4 provides a rigid base for permanent electronics builds, while pre-tinned plated-through holes provide solderable connections accessible from both sides
- Standard 2.54 mm Grid Fits Common Through-Hole Parts: Lay out resistors, LEDs, DIP sockets, pin headers, terminal blocks, sensors and jumper wires on a 0.1 in pitch, then create each required connection with soldered leads, bridges or insulated wire
- From Breadboard Test To Permanent Build: Transfer a proven circuit into a compact soldered assembly for sensor nodes, controllers, alarms and STEM demonstrations; corner mounting holes help secure finished boards in enclosures or on panels
- Set Expectations Before Soldering: These are isolated-pad perfboards with no breadboard-style buses or stripboard traces, and the kit does not include components, wire, solder or tools; plan the layout and check continuity before applying power
When comparing fabricators, use identical board files, quantity, options, assembly choices, shipping destination, and delivery requirements. Without a matched quote for your design and destination, a base price cannot show which service will cost less overall.
How do you prepare a design for fabrication?
A design-rule check (DRC) can catch rule violations, but passing it does not guarantee that a board will manufacture successfully. Confirm that the design and exported files match the fabricator’s current requirements.
Rank #3
- Versatile PCB Board Kit: This circuit board prototype kit includes a variety of PCB board sizes to cater to diverse project requirements: 1 piece of 3.5x5.9 inches (9x15cm), 2 pieces of 2.8x3.5 inches (7x9cm), 3 pieces of 2.0x2.8 inches (5x7cm), and 5 pieces each of 1.6x2.4 inches (4x6cm), 1.2x2.8 inches (3x7cm), and 0.8x3.1 inches (2x8cm).
- Comprehensive Header Pin Set: Includes 6 pieces of male straight pin headers, 6 pieces of female straight pin headers, and 4 pieces of right-angle pin headers. Each row features 40 pins with a 0.1 inch (2.54mm) pin pitch, providing versatile connectivity options.
- Complete Terminal Blocks & Jumpers: This kit comes with 6 pieces of 2-Pin Terminal Blocks, 4 pieces of 3-Pin Terminal Blocks, and 100 pieces of standard 2.54mm pin spacing circuit board jumper caps, ensuring you have the components needed for various connections.
- Sturdy and Durable Construction: Made from high-quality FR4 fiberglass material, these PCB boards are 1.6mm thick, offering robust durability and long-lasting performance for your projects.
- Convenient Design for Easy Assembly: Each board features four mounting holes at the corners for easy assembly. The pre-tinned holes across the circuit board simplify the soldering of components and sensors, facilitating seamless project integration.
- Finish the schematic and PCB layout. Resolve intended connections and board geometry in your EDA tool.
- Run DRC. Review and resolve violations against the rules relevant to your design and manufacturing process.
- Generate fabrication outputs. Export the files requested by your chosen fabricator; the exact settings depend on the design and manufacturer.
- Check the board outline and manufacturing layers. Verify that the outline is correct and that required layers are present before uploading or placing the order.
- Review the quote and order options. Confirm dimensions, layer count, quantity, finish, assembly choices, destination, shipping, and delivery conditions.
KiCad’s Getting Started documentation describes the general handoff from design to fabrication. Exact export settings should follow the fabricator’s current instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need physical tools to make a PCB?
Not necessarily. Designing and ordering a bare board does not require you to solder components yourself. If you plan to hand-assemble the prototype, a basic temperature-controlled soldering iron kit is a task-enabling category to consider; a tutorial from Jordan Lara covers soldering components after a board arrives: PCB tutorial PDF. No particular kit, wattage, or tip is established as a recommendation here. If you order the board with assembly, you may not need a soldering iron for that project.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PCB Perf Board Set: 5 Sizes Perfboard Circuit Protoboard
- Double-Sided Prototype Boards: 5 pcs 20 x 80 mm, 2 pcs 30 x 70 mm, 5 pcs 40 x 60 mm, 2 pcs 50 x 70 mm,1 pcs 70 x 90 mm
- 2.54 mm Header Pins: 5 pcs 1 x 40 pin straight male pin headers, 2 pcs 1 x 40 pin right-angle pin headers and 2 pcs 1 x 40 pin female pin headers
- 5.08 mm Screw Terminal Blocks: 5 pcs 2 pin and 5 pcs 3 pin screw terminal blocks
- 20 pcs 2.54 mm jumper caps
Rank #4
- 19pcs double sided pcb board kit for diy soldering and electronics projects - includes 5 sizes (6x 20x80mm, 6x 30x70mm, 3x 40x60mm, 3x 50x70mm, 1x 70x90mm) - compatible with arduino kits
- Screw Terminal Block and Jumper caps:8pcs 5.08-301-2p and 6pcs 5.08-301-3p screw terminal blocks; 25pcs 2.54mm pin spacing jumper caps in 5 colors (5pcs each)
- 2.54mm pitch header connectors: 8pcs 40-pin male, 8pcs 40-pin right-angle male, and 8pcs 40-pin female headers
- Circuit Board kit is made of FR4 material with a thickness of 1.6 mm, which belongs to glass fiber
- Double sided circuit board features tin-plated holes for soldering diy components and corner mounting holes for easy assembly and installation
A practical low-cost starting path
- Use KiCad for a free desktop design workflow, or evaluate EasyEDA if browser-based design and an integrated manufacturing route fit your needs.
- Complete the schematic and layout, run DRC, and check the outline and fabrication layers.
- Request a quote using the actual board specifications and compare the delivered total for your destination.
- Choose hand soldering or ordered assembly before buying physical tools; the assembly choice determines whether a soldering kit is useful.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
