Best LTspice Alternatives in 2026
The top LTspice alternatives are ETAP, Trimble Electrical Designer and EPLAN Electric P8: 15 electrical design software our editors would look at instead of LTspice, in our ranking order.
LTspice: A focused, free desktop tool for simulating and analyzing analog circuits. Where it falls short: limited to windows and macOS.
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
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Best forPower-system engineering teams needing field workflows
A broad electrical engineering platform for modeling, analysis, field workflows, and automation.
- Panel design
- MCAD integration
- Schematic capture
9.6/10★★★★★Visit ETAP -
Best forStandards-based electrical calculations
A standards-focused suite for calculating, validating and reporting electrical system designs.
- Schematic capture
- Standards libraries
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Trimble -
Best forProfessional electrical documentation teams
A broad ECAD tool for structured electrical documentation and production workflows.
- Panel design
- MCAD integration
- Schematic capture
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit EPLAN -
Best forCloud-connected PCB design teams
A cloud-connected PCB suite for teams spanning circuit design through manufacturing handoff.
- MCAD integration
- Schematic capture
- Standards libraries
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Cadence -
Best forBudget-conscious PCB designers
A capable free PCB suite for designers who value control over broad integrations.
- MCAD integration
- Schematic capture
- Standards libraries
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit KiCad -
Best forEnd-to-end PCB electrical design
A broad PCB design environment for teams that need connected electrical and mechanical workflows.
- MCAD integration
- Schematic capture
- Standards libraries
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Altium -
Best forUtility and distribution network modeling
A deep utility modeling suite for power-flow, faults, transients, DER, and enterprise integration.
- Schematic capture
- Standards libraries
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Eaton -
Best forMATLAB-based electrical system simulation
A deep MATLAB-based simulator for electrical systems, but not a panel-design tool.
- Schematic capture
- Standards libraries
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit MathWorks -
Best forIndustrial electrical schematics and PLC projects
A deep Windows desktop tool for industrial schematics, PLCs, panels, and reporting.
- Panel design
- Schematic capture
- Standards libraries
6.4/10★★★☆☆Try Bentley promis.e -
Best forEnterprise transmission-system analysis
A deep transmission-analysis suite for organizations that need advanced network studies.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Siemens -
Best forFree machine electrical design
A free Siemens web tool for machine-panel design, verification, sizing, and documentation.
- Panel design
- Standards libraries
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Siemens -
Best forOpen-source simulation-engine developers
A capable free simulation engine for developers who can work with netlists and command files.
- Standards libraries
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit ngspice -
Best forAdvanced grid simulation and protection studies
A mature desktop suite for advanced power-system simulation, protection and planning studies.
- Standards libraries
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit DIgSILENT -
Best forIndustrial power studies and arc-flash work
Deep electrical studies for industrial projects, with Windows-only desktop deployment.
- Panel design
- MCAD integration
- Standards libraries
6.0/10★★★☆☆Try SKM Power*Tools -
Best forBuilding power studies and arc-flash analysis
A deep Windows desktop suite for power studies, arc-flash analysis, and documentation.
- Panel design
- MCAD integration
- Schematic capture
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit EasyPower
LTspice Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to LTspice?
ETAP: #1 in our Electrical Design Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.6 out of 10. A broad electrical engineering platform for modeling, analysis, field workflows, and automation.
Is there a free alternative to LTspice?
Yes. KiCad, Electrical Designer and ngspice have a free plan or a free tier.
LTspice vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Schematic capture | Panel design | Electrical simulation | Standards libraries | MCAD integration | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | LTspice | Yes | None | Yes | — | Basic | Yes | — | 6.7 |
| 1 | ETAP | No | — | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 9.6 |
| 2 | Trimble Electrical Designer | — | — | Yes | — | Advanced | Yes | — | 8.1 |
| 3 | EPLAN Electric P8 | — | — | Yes | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 4 | OrCAD X | No | — | Yes | — | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 5 | KiCad | Yes | None | Yes | — | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 7.4 |
| 6 | Altium Designer | No | — | Yes | — | Basic | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
| 7 | CYME | — | — | Yes | — | Advanced | Yes | — | 6.8 |
| 9 | Simscape Electrical | No | — | Yes | — | Advanced | Yes | — | 6.6 |
| 10 | Bentley promis.e | No | — | Yes | Yes | None | Yes | — | 6.4 |
| 11 | PSS®E | No | — | No | No | Advanced | No | No | 6.1 |
| 12 | Electrical Designer | Yes | None | — | Yes | Basic | Yes | — | 6.1 |
| 13 | ngspice | Yes | None | No | — | Advanced | Yes | — | 6.0 |
| 14 | DIgSILENT PowerFactory | No | — | — | — | Advanced | Yes | — | 6.0 |
| 15 | SKM Power*Tools | No | — | No | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 6.0 |
| 16 | EasyPower | No | — | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Yes | Yes | 5.9 |
Head-to-Head
- LTspice vs ETAP
- LTspice vs Trimble Electrical Designer
- LTspice vs EPLAN Electric P8
- LTspice vs OrCAD X
- LTspice vs KiCad
- LTspice vs Altium Designer
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update