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Head-to-head · Electrical Design Software

ETAP vs Trimble Electrical Designer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ETAP #1 in Electrical Design Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ETAP
Trimble Electrical Designer #2 in Electrical Design Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Trimble

ETAP leads on 0 checks, Trimble Electrical Designer on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreETAP · 8.9/10
  • Free trialonly ETAP
  • Most featuresETAP · 4 of 4

ETAP scores higher on our rubric for electrical design software: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

ETAP is the better fit for power-system engineering teams needing field workflows. Trimble Electrical Designer is the better fit for standards-based electrical calculations.

  • ETAP fits best

    Power-system engineering teams needing field workflows

  • Trimble Electrical Designer fits best

    Standards-based electrical calculations

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Side by side

Feature ETAP 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Trimble Electrical Designer 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #1 in Electrical Design Software #2 in Electrical Design Software
Best for Power-system engineering teams needing field workflows Standards-based electrical calculations
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop
Support Phone, Docs Docs
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ETAP 4/4 · Trimble Electrical Designer 2/4
Schematic capture ✓ ✓
Panel design ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Standards libraries ✓ ✓
MCAD integration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Electrical simulation Advanced Advanced
Deployment Hybrid Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Combines single-line modeling with load-flow and short-circuit analysis
  • Supports coordination, harmonics, cable sizing, and panel schedules
  • Connects desktop, web, mobile, APIs, and engineering software
  • Supports multiple regional electrical standards and calculation methods
  • Includes cable sizing, fault, selectivity and arc-flash checks
  • Offers manufacturer-approved data and detailed calculation reports
Cons
  • Pricing requires a sales quote rather than published numeric prices
  • Advanced protection and harmonics features require higher plans
  • The 30-day offer is a trial/demo, not a perpetual free plan
  • Pricing is handled through a contact-sales process
  • Integration breadth is limited
  • The focus is 2D electrical design and circuit visualization
Our verdict

ETAP is an electrical power-system software platform for utilities, infrastructure, buildings, industrial organizations, transportation operators, and engineering teams. Its scope covers intelligent single-line diagram modeling, load-flow…

Read the review →

Trimble Electrical Designer is a suite for electrical engineers and contractors designing, calculating and validating low-voltage electrical systems. Its tools cover 2D electrical system design, circuit visualization, cable and busbar…

Read the review →
  1. ETAPElectrical Design Software 8.9Pricing on request · 30-day trial
  2. Trimble Electrical DesignerElectrical Design Software 8.8Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ETAP — where it wins

    • Combines single-line modeling with load-flow and short-circuit analysis
    • Supports coordination, harmonics, cable sizing, and panel schedules
    • Connects desktop, web, mobile, APIs, and engineering software

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales quote rather than published numeric prices
    • Advanced protection and harmonics features require higher plans
    • The 30-day offer is a trial/demo, not a perpetual free plan

  • Trimble Electrical Designer — where it wins

    • Supports multiple regional electrical standards and calculation methods
    • Includes cable sizing, fault, selectivity and arc-flash checks
    • Offers manufacturer-approved data and detailed calculation reports

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through a contact-sales process
    • Integration breadth is limited
    • The focus is 2D electrical design and circuit visualization
  • ETAP8.9/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    A broad electrical engineering platform for modeling, analysis, field workflows, and automation.

    Visit ETAPFull verdict →
  • Trimble Electrical Designer8.8/10 · Pricing on request

    A standards-focused suite for calculating, validating and reporting electrical system designs.

    Visit TrimbleFull verdict →

More comparisons

All electrical design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update