# Cadence PSpice, NI Multisim vs Altium Develop Comparison | | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 11 | 42 | 996 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (54.5% of reviews) | Small-Business (47.6% of reviews) | Small-Business (58.3% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | 1,869.00 | Starting at $1,990.00 Per Year | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### Cadence PSpice **Not enough data** ### NI Multisim **Not enough data** ### Altium Develop Pros: - Ease of Use (272 reviews) - Features (218 reviews) Cons: - Learning Curve (93 reviews) - Expensive (91 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 9.3 (9 reviews) | 8.6 (38 reviews) | 8.9 (818 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | 8.6 (38 reviews) | 8.1 (836 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (373 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (137 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 7.8 (9 reviews) | 8.3 (34 reviews) | 8.3 (733 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (131 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 8.7 (35 reviews) | 8.9 (799 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### Cadence PSpice #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### NI Multisim #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Multisim™ Base Price: 1,869.00 Key Features: - Recommended for basic circuit design - Includes 47,000+ manufacturer-verified components and models - Includes Multisim Live™ Premium access (with active SSP) [Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/ni-multisim/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes ### Altium Develop #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Altium Develop Pricing Price: Starting at $1,990.00 Per Year Description: Altium Develop offers subscription-based pricing starting at $1,990 per year per workspace, which includes one ECAD Design Author seat and a shared collaboration workspace for projects, libraries, and design data. Additional ECAD Design Author seats can be added for $995 per user per year, with support for up to four additional authors per workspace. The platform also includes unlimited free collaborator access for review, commenting, task management, and BOM visibility at no extra cost. This pricing model is designed to help teams scale design capacity through a per-seat subscription while enabling broad cross-functional collaboration without increasing overall costs. Key Features: - Unified Workspace & Collaboration: Cloud-based platform (Altium 365) for PCB design, schematics, MCAD models, and BOMs with real-time collaboration across teams - Component & Library Management: Centralized component libraries with traceability, lifecycle management, and part request workflows - Advanced PCB Design: Support for high-speed PCB design, HDI, rigid-flex, and 3D-MID using Altium Designer [Learn more about Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### General-Purpose CAD | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cadence PSpice** | N/A | N/A | | **NI Multisim** | N/A | N/A | | **Altium Develop** | 8.4/10 | 82 | #### Design | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Drawing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (75 reviews) | | **Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (72 reviews) | | **Visualize ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (73 reviews) | | **Rendering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (71 reviews) | #### Edit | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **File Import ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (71 reviews) | | **Push/Pull** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (65 reviews) | | **Views** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (69 reviews) | | **Grips ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (63 reviews) | #### Collaboration | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Annotate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (67 reviews) | | **Documentation ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (68 reviews) | | **Data Extract** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (64 reviews) | ### Product Data Management (PDM) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cadence PSpice** | N/A | N/A | | **NI Multisim** | N/A | N/A | | **Altium Develop** | 8.5/10 | 44 | #### Metadata | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Repository** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (39 reviews) | | **Taxonomy** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Types** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | #### Data Management | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Version Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (43 reviews) | | **Alignment** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Workflows** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Lifecycle** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | #### Generative AI | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **AI Image-to-Text** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | ### PCB Design | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cadence PSpice** | 8.3/10 | 9 | | **NI Multisim** | 8.1/10 | 14 | | **Altium Develop** | 8.7/10 | 726 | #### Design | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **PCB layout editing** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 7.8 (12 reviews) | 9.1 (685 reviews) | | **Schematic editor** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 9.2 (679 reviews) | #### Tools | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **3D modeling tools** | 7.2 (6 reviews) | 6.7 (7 reviews) | 7.6 (631 reviews) | | **Component placement** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 8.5 (10 reviews) | 8.9 (663 reviews) | #### Library | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Component libraries** | 7.9 (8 reviews) | 8.3 (13 reviews) | 8.3 (678 reviews) | #### Platform | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Board size** | 7.6 (7 reviews) | 8.1 (12 reviews) | 9.1 (663 reviews) | | **Layers** | 8.1 (7 reviews) | 8.0 (9 reviews) | 9.2 (666 reviews) | #### Customization | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Custom commands** | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 8.5 (8 reviews) | Feature Not Available | | **Custom interface** | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 7.9 (8 reviews) | 7.8 (583 reviews) | ### Simulation & CAE | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cadence PSpice** | N/A | N/A | | **NI Multisim** | 8.6/10 | 9 | | **Altium Develop** | N/A | N/A | #### Design | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | 8.1 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | 8.5 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Rendering tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Tools | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Fluid analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Finite element analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Multibody dynamics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Work | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Discrete event modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Continuous event modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Mechanical event simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Manufacturing process simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Integrate** | Not enough data | 8.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Environment | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | Not enough data | 9.3 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Task** | Not enough data | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | 9.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | 9.0 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | ### Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Cadence PSpice** | N/A | N/A | | **NI Multisim** | N/A | N/A | | **Altium Develop** | 8.0/10 | 22 | #### Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (19 reviews) | | **Rendering Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (18 reviews) | | **Drawing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (16 reviews) | | **Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (17 reviews) | | **Text Editing Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.7 (17 reviews) | #### File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Export Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.3 (17 reviews) | | **Import Files** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (17 reviews) | | **File Interoperability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.0 (17 reviews) | | **Backwards compatibility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.5 (17 reviews) | | **File size** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.2 (16 reviews) | #### Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Custom Commands** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | | **Custom Scripts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.2 (15 reviews) | | **Custom Menus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.4 (16 reviews) | | **Custom Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.6 (16 reviews) | #### Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) | Feature | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (16 reviews) | | **Task-based interfaces** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (15 reviews) | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.2 (16 reviews) | | **Command Clarity** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (16 reviews) | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [PCB Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/pcb-design) **Unique to NI Multisim (1):** [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Unique to Altium Develop (3):** [General-Purpose CAD Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/general-purpose-cad), [Product Data Management (PDM) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/product-data-management-pdm), [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | Cadence PSpice | NI Multisim | Altium Develop | |---|---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 18.2% | 47.6% | 58.3% | | **Mid-Market** | 54.5% | 26.2% | 29.6% | | **Enterprise** | 27.3% | 26.2% | 12.1% | ### By Industry #### Cadence PSpice - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 27.3% - **Semiconductors:** 9.1% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 9.1% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 9.1% - **Higher Education:** 9.1% - **Defense & Space:** 9.1% - **Consumer Electronics:** 9.1% - **Computer Hardware:** 9.1% - **Automotive:** 9.1% #### NI Multisim - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 31.0% - **Research:** 9.5% - **Information Technology and Services:** 9.5% - **Higher Education:** 9.5% - **Medical Devices:** 4.8% - **Education Management:** 4.8% - **Design:** 4.8% - **Consumer Electronics:** 4.8% - **Computer Software:** 4.8% - **Telecommunications:** 2.4% - **Other:** 14.3% #### Altium Develop - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 22.2% - **Automotive:** 10.9% - **Consumer Electronics:** 10.2% - **Aviation & Aerospace:** 6.4% - **Medical Devices:** 6.3% - **Industrial Automation:** 4.0% - **Research:** 3.4% - **Higher Education:** 3.2% - **Computer Hardware:** 3.0% - **Design:** 2.5% - **Other:** 27.9% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to Cadence PSpice - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews) - [KiCad EDA](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (68 reviews) - [Altium CircuitMaker](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-circuitmaker/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (110 reviews) - [Autodesk EAGLE](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-eagle/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (76 reviews) - [EasyEDA](https://www.g2.com/products/easyeda/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (20 reviews) - [Ansys HFSS](https://www.g2.com/products/ansys-hfss/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (40 reviews) - [OrCAD Capture](https://www.g2.com/products/orcad-capture/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (34 reviews) - [PADS Professional](https://www.g2.com/products/pads-professional/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (64 reviews) ### Alternatives to NI Multisim - [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (770 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews) - [Simulink](https://www.g2.com/products/simulink/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (98 reviews) - [Autodesk EAGLE](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-eagle/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (76 reviews) - [KiCad EDA](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (68 reviews) - [OrCAD Capture](https://www.g2.com/products/orcad-capture/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (34 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews) - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews) - [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews) ### Alternatives to Altium Develop - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews) - [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1932 reviews) - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (695 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (643 reviews) - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (599 reviews) - [Designcenter NX](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-nx/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (527 reviews) - [Inventor](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (440 reviews) - [SketchUp](https://www.g2.com/products/sketchup/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1324 reviews) - [Autodesk EAGLE](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-eagle/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (76 reviews) - [KiCad EDA](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (68 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### Cadence PSpice No discussions available for this product. ### NI Multisim - Title: [What is NI Multisim used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-ni-multisim-used-for) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "NI Multisim is used for designing, simulating, and analyzing electronic circuits. It allows engineers and educators to create both analog and digital circuit..." ### Altium Develop - Title: [Who uses Altium?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/who-uses-altium) — 3 comments *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Altium Designer is used mainly by those who create and work with printed circuit boards or PCBs. All electrical products, computers, toasters, remotes, and..." - Title: [Is Altium Designer free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-altium-designer-free) — 3 comments > **Top comment:** "No, Altium Designer is not free but there is a free viewer that can be downloaded. " - Title: [What is Altium Designer used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-altium-designer-used-for) — 3 comments > **Top comment:** "Altium Desinger is a complete PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design software package, which includes Schematic Capture, PCB Layout, Libraries, Manufacturing..." - Title: [Is there a way to modelize in 3D the Pcb designs?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/36429-is-there-a-way-to-modelize-in-3d-the-pcb-designs) — 3 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "No or Yes, you can only place 3D bodies for components in PCB and get 3D view of your design. I think by placing components are your will. yes you can..." - Title: [What is Altium 365 used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-altium-365-used-for) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "Create circuit design & PCB Design" --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/cadence-pspice-vs-ni-multisim-vs-altium-develop)