Head-to-head · Electrical Design Software
KiCad vs LTspice
KiCad leads on 1 check, LTspice on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreKiCad · 7.4/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresKiCad · 3 of 4
KiCad scores higher on our rubric for electrical design software: 7.4 against 6.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.
On electrical simulation, KiCad gives you Advanced where LTspice offers Basic. KiCad offers mcad integration; LTspice doesn't publish it.
KiCad is the better fit for budget-conscious PCB designers. LTspice is the better fit for free analog circuit simulation.
- KiCad fits best
Budget-conscious PCB designers
- LTspice fits best
Free analog circuit simulation
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Side by side
| Feature | KiCad 7.4/10 Visit ↗ | LTspice 6.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.4 | 6.7 |
| Ranking | #5 in Electrical Design Software | #8 in Electrical Design Software |
| Best for | Budget-conscious PCB designers | Free analog circuit simulation |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features KiCad 3/4 · LTspice 2/4 | ||
| Schematic capture | ✓ | ✓ |
| Panel design | Not published | Not published |
| Standards libraries | ✓ | ✓ |
| MCAD integration | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Specs | ||
| Electrical simulation | Advanced | Basic |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | KiCad is a free, open-source electronics design automation suite for hobbyists, educators, and professional electronics designers. Its desktop tools cover hierarchical schematic capture, electrical rules checking, PCB layout with… Read the review → |
LTspice is a free desktop application from Analog Devices for designing and analyzing analog circuits. It combines graphical schematic capture, SPICE simulation, and waveform viewing in one workflow. The software is aimed at engineers,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
KiCad — where it wins
- Free and open source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Combines schematics, simulation, PCB routing, and fabrication exports
- Includes libraries, rules checking, scripting, and 3D visualization
Where it doesn't
- Integration options center on ngspice and FreeCAD
- Desktop deployment does not provide a browser-based workflow
- Broad functionality may be more than simple schematic projects require
LTspice — where it wins
- Free and unlimited analog SPICE simulation
- Graphical schematic capture with waveform viewing
- Analog Devices models, demos, tutorials, and third-party model support
Where it doesn't
- Limited to Windows and macOS
- Focused on analog circuits rather than broader drafting
- No broader integration ecosystem is specified
- KiCad7.4/10 · Free plan
A capable free PCB suite for designers who value control over broad integrations.
Visit KiCadFull verdict → - LTspice6.7/10 · Free plan
A focused, free desktop tool for simulating and analyzing analog circuits.
Visit LTspiceFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update