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# Altium Develop vs NI Multisim Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Altium DevelopNI Multisim[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Altium Develop**
Free Trial

**$1,990.00** per\_user Per Year · Altium Develop Pricing

**NI Multisim**
Free Trial

**1,869.00** · Multisim™ Base

**4,838.00** · Multisim™ Power Pro

**3,267.00** · Multisim™ Full

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Altium Develop**
$$$$$

**NI Multisim**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Altium Develop**
14%

**NI Multisim**
Not enough reviews yet

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See it for free

Time to Implement

**Altium Develop** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**NI Multisim** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Altium Develop** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**NI Multisim** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Altium Develop**
[
Ease of Use (272)
](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1766026&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Features (218)
](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1766073&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Learning Curve (93)
](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1766662&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Expensive (91)
](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1766788&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**NI Multisim**
Not enough data

Screenshots

**Altium Develop**
 ![Altium Develop screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1534058/3D-View.png)

**NI Multisim**
No screenshot available

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Altium Develop**

**8.9** /10

Based on 895 responses

**NI Multisim**

**8.6** /10

Based on 38 responses

Ease of Use

**Altium Develop**

**8.1** /10

Based on 913 responses

**NI Multisim**

**8.6** /10

Based on 38 responses

Ease of Setup

**Altium Develop**

**8.3** /10

Based on 453 responses

**NI Multisim** Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**Altium Develop**

**8.3** /10

Based on 151 responses

**NI Multisim** Not enough data

Quality of Support

**Altium Develop**

**8.2** /10

Based on 798 responses

**NI Multisim**

**8.3** /10

Based on 34 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Altium Develop**

**8.5** /10

Based on 145 responses

**NI Multisim** Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**Altium Develop**

**8.8** /10

Based on 864 responses

**NI Multisim**

**8.7** /10

Based on 35 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

PCB Design

**8.6** /10

Based on 801 responses

**8.1** /10

Based on 14 responses

General-Purpose CAD

**8.4** /10

Based on 88 responses

Not enough data

Product Data Management (PDM)

**8.6** /10

Based on 54 responses

Not enough data

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Simulation & CAE

Not enough data

**8.6** /10

Based on 9 responses

Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)

**8.4** /10

Based on 33 responses

Not enough data

Requirements Management

**7.8** /10

Based on 38 responses

Not enough data

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
59.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
28.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
11.6%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
59.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
28.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
11.6%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
47.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
26.2%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
47.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
26.2%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Altium Develop](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9ece538c466a3522832215687c2d4b84/altium-develop.svg "Altium Develop")](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews)
Altium Develop

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
21.4%

Automotive
10.8%

Consumer Electronics
10.2%

Medical Devices
6.5%

Aviation & Aerospace
6.1%

Other
44.9%

[![NI Multisim](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_ab1576bbe6d84ab0b4b9bc31bc064f41/ni-multisim.png "NI Multisim")](https://www.g2.com/products/ni-multisim/reviews)
NI Multisim

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
31.0%

Research
9.5%

Information Technology and Services
9.5%

Higher Education
9.5%

Medical Devices
4.8%

Other
35.7%

Alternatives

**Altium Develop Alternatives**

 ![Autodesk Fusion](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/28ab5b3990e257fc5851e9730734a9cc/autodesk-fusion.svg "Autodesk Fusion")

[
Autodesk Fusion
](/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews)

 ![AutoCAD](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1531166548/autocad.svg "AutoCAD")

[
AutoCAD
](/products/autocad/reviews)

 ![Onshape](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/64b9ed904ebc3f3bc714a720216f40d4/onshape.svg "Onshape")

[
Onshape
](/products/onshape/reviews)

 ![SOLIDWORKS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/87a0eaa40f8b9a14542c077a348a699d/solidworks.svg "SOLIDWORKS")

[
SOLIDWORKS
](/products/solidworks/reviews)

**NI Multisim Alternatives**

 ![MATLAB](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d5738f5e7922b4552c3ba543a2b9dee6/matlab.jpeg "MATLAB")

[
MATLAB
](/products/matlab/reviews)

 ![Autodesk Fusion](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/28ab5b3990e257fc5851e9730734a9cc/autodesk-fusion.svg "Autodesk Fusion")

[
Autodesk Fusion
](/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews)

 ![Simulink](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d5738f5e7922b4552c3ba543a2b9dee6/simulink.jpeg "Simulink")

[
Simulink
](/products/simulink/reviews)

 ![Autodesk EAGLE](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1548258703/autodesk-eagle.png "Autodesk EAGLE")

[
Autodesk EAGLE
](/products/autodesk-eagle/reviews)

## Altium Develop vs NI Multisim FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between NI Multisim vs Altium Develop?

Altium Develop stands out for its higher G2 rating, larger review base, and strong collaboration features, while NI Multisim is recognized for its user-friendly interface and simulation tools.

| [NI Multisim](https://www.g2.com/products/ni-multisim/reviews) | [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.3/5 (42 reviews) | 4.5/5 (1050 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| — | 8.3 |
| 8.3 | 8.2 |
| User-friendly interface and powerful simulation tools | Collaboration (136 all-time mentions) |

### How do the pricing models of NI Multisim and Altium Develop compare?

Altium Develop is considered the stronger value by reviewers, with recent reviews highlighting improved pricing and cost-effectiveness, especially for small businesses.

- **NI Multisim:** Reviewers frequently mention that the software is expensive, with some noting that the cost is high for the features provided.
- **Altium Develop:** Recent reviews highlight that the subscription fees are much lower than previous versions, making it more accessible and cost-effective, particularly for small businesses and single-license users.
- **Switching reasons:** Several reviewers cite Altium Develop's improved pricing model and lower subscription fees as key reasons for switching from other PCB design tools.

### What are the best alternatives to NI Multisim and Altium Develop?

The top 3 alternatives to NI Multisim and Altium Develop are Autodesk Fusion, MATLAB, and AutoCAD.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [NI Multisim](https://www.g2.com/products/ni-multisim/reviews) | 4.3/5 (42) | Small-Business | Reviewers frequently mention high cost | User-friendly interface and simulation tools |
| [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) | 4.5/5 (1050) | Small-Business | Recent reviews highlight improved pricing and cost-effectiveness | Collaboration and cloud-based workflow |
| [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) | 4.5/5 (520) | Small-Business | — | Integrated design and engineering capabilities |
| [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) | 4.5/5 (771) | Small-Business | — | Advanced simulation and analysis tools |
| [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) | 4.4/5 (1940) | Small-Business | — | Versatile drafting and design functionality |

### Which PCB Design features should I prioritize when comparing NI Multisim and Altium Develop?

Buyers should prioritize collaboration, version control, ease of use, simulation capabilities, and integration features when comparing NI Multisim and Altium Develop.

- **Collaboration:** Altium Develop is cited in 136 all-time reviews for collaboration, while NI Multisim does not have a comparable mention count.
- **Version Control:** Altium Develop is frequently praised for its version control and revision management features in recent reviews.
- **Ease of Use:** NI Multisim scores 8.6 and Altium Develop scores 8.1 on Ease of Use, with Altium Develop receiving 272 all-time mentions for ease of use.
- **Simulation Capabilities:** NI Multisim is consistently highlighted for its powerful simulation tools in recent reviews.
- **Integration Features:** Altium Develop has 80 all-time mentions for integrations, indicating a strong focus on connecting with other tools and platforms.

### What are the pros and cons of NI Multisim vs Altium Develop?

NI Multisim's headline strength is its user-friendly simulation environment, while Altium Develop excels in collaboration and cloud-based workflows.

- **NI Multisim strengths:** User-friendly interface, powerful simulation tools, wide range of built-in components, and strong support for educational use.
- **NI Multisim trade-offs:** Reviewers note high cost, limited advanced features for complex designs, resource-intensive performance, and occasional gaps in component libraries.
- **Altium Develop strengths:** Collaboration (136 all-time mentions), cloud services (61), integrations (80), BOM management (35), and strong version control and revision management.
- **Altium Develop trade-offs:** Reviewers mention a learning curve, performance lag (14), slow performance (51), cloud issues (21), and some frustration with licensing and onboarding processes.

### Is NI Multisim or Altium Develop better for small businesses?

Altium Develop is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its largest segment and recent reviews highlighting improved pricing and accessibility.

- **NI Multisim:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers appreciate its educational value and user-friendly interface but frequently mention high cost as a barrier for small teams.
- **Altium Develop:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently highlight the lower subscription fees, improved pricing, and features tailored for small business needs.

### Which PCB Design platform has better integrations?

Altium Develop is favored by reviewers for integrations, with 80 all-time mentions highlighting its connectivity with other tools and platforms.

- **NI Multisim:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations or mention counts available.
- **Altium Develop:** Integrations are cited in 80 all-time reviews, with frequent mentions of CAD integration and cloud-based collaboration tools.

### How do NI Multisim and Altium Develop compare on customer support?

NI Multisim and Altium Develop are at near-parity on Quality of Support, with scores of 8.3 and 8.2 respectively, indicating similar reviewer satisfaction.

- **NI Multisim:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive, with several noting helpful documentation and online resources, though some mention a desire for more timely updates and improvements.
- **Altium Develop:** Reviewers highlight helpful customer support and accessible online help, but also note occasional delays and challenges during onboarding or license transitions.

### Which is easier to implement, NI Multisim or Altium Develop?

Altium Develop has an Ease of Setup score of 8.3, while NI Multisim does not have a published score for this dimension.

- **NI Multisim:** Reviewers frequently describe the setup process as straightforward and user-friendly, especially for educational use, but some mention a learning curve for advanced features.
- **Altium Develop:** Reviewers report a generally smooth setup process, with some noting a short learning curve and easy onboarding once licensing is resolved, though a few mention challenges during migration or initial configuration.

### Which product has better Version Control?

Altium Develop is the stronger choice for Version Control, with frequent reviewer praise for its revision management and collaborative versioning features.

- **NI Multisim:** No reviewer-cited strengths or mention counts for version control features.
- **Altium Develop:** Reviewers consistently highlight version control and revision management as key strengths, with multiple recent reviews praising its Git-style control and collaborative versioning capabilities.