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Head-to-head · Electrical Design Software

OrCAD X vs Altium Designer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score OrCAD X #5 in Electrical Design Software 8.5/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Cadence
Altium Designer #6 in Electrical Design Software 8.4/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Altium

OrCAD X leads on 0 checks, Altium Designer on 0, and 4 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 scoreOrCAD X · 8.5/10
  • Free trialboth

OrCAD X scores higher on our rubric for electrical design software: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

On electrical simulation, OrCAD X gives you Advanced where Altium Designer offers Basic.

OrCAD X is the better fit for cloud-connected PCB design teams. Altium Designer is the better fit for end-to-end PCB electrical design.

  • OrCAD X fits best

    Cloud-connected PCB design teams

  • Altium Designer fits best

    End-to-end PCB electrical design

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature OrCAD X 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Altium Designer 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.4
Ranking #5 in Electrical Design Software #6 in Electrical Design Software
Best for Cloud-connected PCB design teams End-to-end PCB electrical design
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days 30 days
Free trial length 30 days · no card needed 30 days · no card needed
Deployment Desktop, Cloud Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows Web, Windows
Support Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Live chat, Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations 9 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OrCAD X 3/4 · Altium Designer 3/4
Schematic capture ✓ ✓
Panel design Not checked yet Not checked yet
Standards libraries ✓ ✓
MCAD integration ✓ ✓
Specs
Electrical simulation Advanced Basic
Deployment Hybrid Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Combines schematic capture, PSpice simulation, layout, and routing
  • Live BOM includes availability, pricing, lifecycle, and compliance data
  • Supports ECAD/MCAD collaboration, 3D checks, DFM, and cloud review
  • Combines schematic capture, PCB layout, SPICE simulation, and 3D validation
  • Supports ECAD-MCAD synchronization with major CAD platforms
  • Covers libraries, constraints, BOMs, and manufacturing releases
Cons
  • Paid product with no free plan
  • Advanced capabilities are split across multiple paid tiers
  • Some tiers may require contacting Cadence or a Channel Partner
  • Paid product with no permanent free plan
  • The listed desktop platform is Windows
  • Electrical simulation is categorized as basic
Our verdict

OrCAD X is Cadence’s PCB design platform for electrical engineers, PCB designers, individuals, startups, and small to mid-sized design teams. It covers the workflow from circuit concept through manufacturing handoff, combining electrical…

Read the review →

Altium Designer is a Windows-based electronic and PCB design environment for engineers and hardware teams. It brings hierarchical and multi-channel schematic capture, interactive PCB routing, SPICE simulation, design-rule management,…

Read the review →
  1. OrCAD XElectrical Design Software 8.530-day trial
  2. Altium DesignerElectrical Design Software 8.430-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OrCAD X — where it wins

    • Combines schematic capture, PSpice simulation, layout, and routing
    • Live BOM includes availability, pricing, lifecycle, and compliance data
    • Supports ECAD/MCAD collaboration, 3D checks, DFM, and cloud review

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid product with no free plan
    • Advanced capabilities are split across multiple paid tiers
    • Some tiers may require contacting Cadence or a Channel Partner

  • Altium Designer — where it wins

    • Combines schematic capture, PCB layout, SPICE simulation, and 3D validation
    • Supports ECAD-MCAD synchronization with major CAD platforms
    • Covers libraries, constraints, BOMs, and manufacturing releases

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid product with no permanent free plan
    • The listed desktop platform is Windows
    • Electrical simulation is categorized as basic
  • OrCAD X8.5/10 · 30-day trial

    A cloud-connected PCB suite for teams spanning circuit design through manufacturing handoff.

    Visit CadenceFull verdict →
  • Altium Designer8.4/10 · 30-day trial

    A broad PCB design environment for teams that need connected electrical and mechanical workflows.

    Visit AltiumFull 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