ngspice vs Xcos

Nngspice8.3Visit Xcos8.2Visit

Higher score N ngspice #6 in Physics Simulation Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit ngspice

vs

Xcos #7 in Physics Simulation Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit Xcos

• ngspice fits best

  Open-source circuit simulation developers

• Xcos fits best

  Free engineering system modeling

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Side by side

Feature	Nngspice 8.3/10 Visit ↗	Xcos 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.3	8.2
Ranking	#6 in Physics Simulation Software	#7 in Physics Simulation Software
Best for	Open-source circuit simulation developers	Free engineering system modeling
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs, Tickets	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ngspice 0/6 · Xcos 2/6
Lesson library	Not checked yet	—
Authoring tools	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Assessment tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
3D visuals	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Offline access	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Data export	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Delivery mode	Not checked yet	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Advanced DC, AC, transient, noise, distortion, and sensitivity analyses Mixed-signal, Monte Carlo, Verilog-A, Verilog, and VHDL capabilities SPICE model compatibility plus KiCad, Verilator, GHDL, and OpenVAF integrations	Free, open-source desktop software distributed with Scilab Supports continuous, discrete, symbolic-equation, and hybrid simulation Custom blocks, Modelica modeling, and Scilab post-processing
Cons	No built-in schematic entry Requires netlists or command files for simulation input Focused on electrical simulation rather than general physics	Desktop delivery may not suit browser-first teams Requires working within the Scilab ecosystem No lesson library for guided learning
Our verdict	ngspice is a free, open-source SPICE-compatible simulator for analog, digital, and mixed-signal electrical circuits. It is aimed at developers and engineers who need detailed circuit analysis on Windows, macOS, or Linux, along with… Read the review →	Xcos is a graphical editor and simulator for designing, loading, saving, compiling, and simulating hybrid dynamical-system models. It is distributed with the free, open-source Scilab software and is suited to engineering, science,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ngspice — where it wins

  • Advanced DC, AC, transient, noise, distortion, and sensitivity analyses
  • Mixed-signal, Monte Carlo, Verilog-A, Verilog, and VHDL capabilities
  • SPICE model compatibility plus KiCad, Verilator, GHDL, and OpenVAF integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • No built-in schematic entry
  • Requires netlists or command files for simulation input
  • Focused on electrical simulation rather than general physics

• Xcos — where it wins

  • Free, open-source desktop software distributed with Scilab
  • Supports continuous, discrete, symbolic-equation, and hybrid simulation
  • Custom blocks, Modelica modeling, and Scilab post-processing

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop delivery may not suit browser-first teams
  • Requires working within the Scilab ecosystem
  • No lesson library for guided learning

• Nngspice8.3/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source simulator for advanced circuit analysis across desktop platforms and APIs.

  Visit ngspiceFull verdict →
• Xcos8.2/10 · Free plan

  Free, open-source system modeling across continuous, discrete, hybrid, and Modelica workflows.

  Visit XcosFull verdict →