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Head-to-head · Electrical Design Software

OrCAD X vs LTspice

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score OrCAD X #4 in Electrical Design Software 7.5/10 30-day trial ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Cadence
LTspice #8 in Electrical Design Software 6.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit LTspice

OrCAD X leads on 1 check, LTspice on 1, and 2 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 · 7.5/10
  • Free planonly LTspice
  • Most featuresOrCAD X · 3 of 4

OrCAD X scores higher on our rubric for electrical design software: 7.5 against 6.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

LTspice offers free plan; OrCAD X doesn't. On electrical simulation, OrCAD X gives you Advanced where LTspice offers Basic. OrCAD X offers mcad integration; LTspice doesn't publish it. On deployment, OrCAD X gives you Hybrid where LTspice offers Desktop.

OrCAD X is the better fit for cloud-connected PCB design teams. LTspice is the better fit for free analog circuit simulation.

  • OrCAD X fits best

    Cloud-connected PCB design teams

  • LTspice fits best

    Free analog circuit simulation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature OrCAD X 7.5/10 Visit ↗ LTspice 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.5 6.7
Ranking #4 in Electrical Design Software #8 in Electrical Design Software
Best for Cloud-connected PCB design teams Free analog circuit simulation
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows Windows, macOS
Support Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OrCAD X 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 Hybrid Desktop
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
  • Free and unlimited analog SPICE simulation
  • Graphical schematic capture with waveform viewing
  • Analog Devices models, demos, tutorials, and third-party model support
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
  • Limited to Windows and macOS
  • Focused on analog circuits rather than broader drafting
  • No broader integration ecosystem is specified
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 →

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 →
  1. OrCAD XElectrical Design Software 7.530-day trial
  2. LTspiceElectrical Design Software 6.7Free plan

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

  • 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

More comparisons

All electrical design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update