# KiCad EDA vs PADS Professional Comparison

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between KiCad EDA vs PADS Professional?

KiCad EDA stands out for its higher user ratings and ease of setup, while PADS Professional is recognized for its advanced features and stronger support scores.

| | [KiCad EDA](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews) | [PADS Professional](https://www.g2.com/products/pads-professional/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.5/5 (69 reviews) | 4.1/5 (64 reviews) |
| Largest Segment | Small-Business | Small-Business |
| Ease of Setup score | 9.3 | 7.7 |
| Quality of Support score | 7.9 | 8.7 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Ease of Use | Features |



### How do the pricing models of KiCad EDA and PADS Professional compare?

KiCad EDA is considered the stronger value by reviewers, reflected in higher satisfaction with price and cost.

- **KiCad EDA:** Reviewers consistently highlight that KiCad EDA is free and offers professional-grade PCB design tools at no cost, making it highly attractive for budget-conscious users and small businesses.
- **PADS Professional:** Reviewers note that PADS Professional is priced lower than some high-end competitors but still considered expensive, with some expressing concerns about the cost for startups and the need to purchase additional licenses for certain features.
- **Switching reasons:** Several reviewers mention switching to KiCad EDA due to its zero-cost model and the high licensing fees of paid alternatives.



### What are the best alternatives to KiCad EDA and PADS Professional?

The top three alternatives to KiCad EDA and PADS Professional are Altium Develop, Autodesk Fusion, and Altium CircuitMaker.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [KiCad EDA](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews) | 4.5/5 (69 reviews) | Small-Business | Free, strong value for money | Ease of Use |
| [PADS Professional](https://www.g2.com/products/pads-professional/reviews) | 4.1/5 (64 reviews) | Small-Business | Priced lower than some high-end tools, but still costly for startups | Features |
| [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) | 4.5/5 (1050 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Comprehensive feature set |
| [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) | 4.5/5 (520 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Integrated design and simulation |
| [Altium CircuitMaker](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-circuitmaker/reviews) | 4.3/5 (110 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Community-driven collaboration |



### Which PCB Design features should I prioritize when comparing KiCad EDA and PADS Professional?

Buyers comparing KiCad EDA and PADS Professional should prioritize ease of use, advanced features, 3D modeling, simulation tools, and customization capabilities.

- **Ease of Use:** KiCad EDA scores 8.6, PADS Professional scores 7.9.
- **Advanced Features:** PADS Professional is frequently cited for its advanced features (6 all-time mentions), while KiCad EDA has 1 all-time mention for features.
- **3D Modeling:** KiCad EDA offers 3D modeling tools, which PADS Professional does not.
- **Simulation Tools:** PADS Professional is cited for simulation tools (5 all-time mentions); KiCad EDA does not have this as a top-cited area.
- **Customization:** KiCad EDA supports custom commands, while PADS Professional offers a custom interface for PCB design.



### What are the pros and cons of KiCad EDA vs PADS Professional?

KiCad EDA's headline strength is ease of use and cost, while PADS Professional's is its advanced feature set and simulation capabilities.

- **KiCad EDA strengths:** Ease of use (2 all-time mentions), free and open-source, cross-platform compatibility, strong community support, and extensive learning resources.
- **KiCad EDA trade-offs:** Limited advanced features compared to paid tools, inefficient autorouting (1 all-time mention), some software bugs, and less refined tools for large or complex projects.
- **PADS Professional strengths:** Advanced features (6 all-time mentions), simulation tools (5 all-time mentions), accuracy (3 all-time mentions), robust PCB design capabilities (4 all-time mentions), and strong customer support.
- **PADS Professional trade-offs:** Steep learning curve (2 all-time mentions for difficult learning process), complex interface (2 all-time mentions), higher cost for startups, and some workflow fragmentation.



### Is KiCad EDA or PADS Professional better for small businesses?

KiCad EDA is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its largest segment and strong value sentiment.

- **KiCad EDA:** Small-Business is the largest segment, with reviewers consistently praising its zero-cost model and suitability for startups and budget-conscious teams.
- **PADS Professional:** Small-Business is also the largest segment, but reviewers frequently cite concerns about cost and a steeper learning curve for smaller teams.



### Which PCB Design platform has better integrations?

KiCad EDA and PADS Professional are at parity for integrations, as neither product has recent reviewer-cited third-party integration mentions.

- **KiCad EDA:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.
- **PADS Professional:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.



### How do KiCad EDA and PADS Professional compare on customer support?

PADS Professional leads on Quality of Support with a score of 8.7 versus KiCad EDA's 7.9, a difference of 0.8 points.

- **KiCad EDA:** Reviewers note strong community support and extensive tutorials, but some mention limited commercial support and slower response for complex issues.
- **PADS Professional:** Reviewers consistently highlight responsive and helpful customer support, with several citing Mentor Graphics and Siemens support teams as a key benefit.



### Which is easier to implement, KiCad EDA or PADS Professional?

KiCad EDA is easier to implement, with an Ease of Setup score of 9.3 compared to PADS Professional's 7.7.

- **KiCad EDA:** Reviewers frequently describe KiCad EDA as easy to install and quick to get started, especially for beginners and small teams.
- **PADS Professional:** Reviewers mention a steeper learning curve and more complex initial setup, though some note that onboarding is manageable with training.



| | KiCad EDA | PADS Professional | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 69 | 66 | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### KiCad EDA

Pros:
- Ease of Use (2 reviews)
- Library Management (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Cloud Issues (1 reviews)
- Inefficient Autorouting (1 reviews)

### PADS Professional

Pros:
- Features (6 reviews)
- Simulation Tools (5 reviews)

Cons:
- Complex Interface (2 reviews)
- Difficult Learning Process (2 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | KiCad EDA | PADS Professional | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.2 (50 reviews) | 8.3 (59 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.6 (52 reviews) | 7.9 (63 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.3 (12 reviews) | 7.7 (29 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | 8.2 (15 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.9 (39 reviews) | 8.7 (59 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | 9.1 (15 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.7 (46 reviews) | 8.6 (58 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### KiCad EDA

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: OSS Edition

Price: Free

Description: KiCad is Open Source software.  We offer world-class EDA design tools that are free to use, now and forever.

Key Features:
- 100k+ Symbol and footprint library
- 10k+ 3d Models
- Fast, responsive interface

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### PADS Professional

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: PADS Professional Term-Based

Price: Starting at $249.00 Per Month

Key Features:
- Additional features and license options may affect price.

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/pads-professional/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### PCB Design

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **KiCad EDA** | 7.9/10 | 42 |
| **PADS Professional** | 8.2/10 | 59 |

#### Design

| Feature | KiCad EDA | PADS Professional | 
|---|---|---|
| **PCB layout editing** | 8.0 (40 reviews) | 8.3 (56 reviews) | 
| **Schematic editor** | 8.3 (40 reviews) | 8.2 (55 reviews) | 

#### Tools

| Feature | KiCad EDA | PADS Professional | 
|---|---|---|
| **3D modeling tools** | 6.5 (31 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Component placement** | 8.3 (38 reviews) | 8.5 (55 reviews) | 

#### Library

| Feature | KiCad EDA | PADS Professional | 
|---|---|---|
| **Component libraries** | 7.4 (37 reviews) | 8.1 (56 reviews) | 

#### Platform

| Feature | KiCad EDA | PADS Professional | 
|---|---|---|
| **Board size** | 8.6 (36 reviews) | 8.3 (56 reviews) | 
| **Layers** | 8.5 (36 reviews) | 8.6 (56 reviews) | 

#### Customization

| Feature | KiCad EDA | PADS Professional | 
|---|---|---|
| **Custom commands** | 7.4 (27 reviews) | Feature Not Available | 
| **Custom interface** | Feature Not Available | 7.5 (55 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [PCB Design Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/pcb-design)




---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | KiCad EDA | PADS Professional | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 84.4% | 55.4% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 10.9% | 35.4% | 
| **Enterprise** | 4.7% | 9.2% | 

### By Industry

#### KiCad EDA

- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 40.6%
- **Consumer Electronics:** 12.5%
- **Design:** 7.8%
- **Research:** 6.3%
- **Automotive:** 4.7%
- **Higher Education:** 4.7%
- **Industrial Automation:** 4.7%
- **Education Management:** 3.1%
- **Computer Hardware:** 3.1%
- **Information Services:** 1.6%
- **Other:** 10.9%

#### PADS Professional

- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 17.5%
- **Automotive:** 7.9%
- **Design:** 7.9%
- **Computer Software:** 7.9%
- **Consumer Electronics:** 6.3%
- **Medical Devices:** 6.3%
- **Defense & Space:** 6.3%
- **Semiconductors:** 4.8%
- **Industrial Automation:** 4.8%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 3.2%
- **Other:** 27.0%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to KiCad EDA

- [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1071 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 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 (77 reviews)
- [DipTrace](https://www.g2.com/products/diptrace/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (46 reviews)
- [NI Multisim](https://www.g2.com/products/ni-multisim/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (42 reviews)
- [OrCAD Capture](https://www.g2.com/products/orcad-capture/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (34 reviews)
- [EasyEDA](https://www.g2.com/products/easyeda/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (20 reviews)
- [SolidWorks PCB](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pcb/reviews) — 3.8/5 stars (14 reviews)
- [ExpressPCB Plus](https://www.g2.com/products/expresspcb-plus/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (29 reviews)

### Alternatives to PADS Professional

- [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1071 reviews)
- [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Allegro X PCB Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/allegro-x-pcb-designer/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (30 reviews)
- [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (699 reviews)
- [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (724 reviews)
- [Autodesk EAGLE](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-eagle/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (77 reviews)
- [Altium CircuitMaker](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-circuitmaker/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (110 reviews)
- [OrCAD Capture](https://www.g2.com/products/orcad-capture/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (34 reviews)
- [OrCAD PCB Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/orcad-pcb-designer/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (15 reviews)
- [DipTrace](https://www.g2.com/products/diptrace/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (46 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### KiCad EDA

- Title: [What is the best EDA software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-eda-software) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "KiCad"
- Title: [How can I turn on only the radsnet of the component I am moving?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/36347-how-can-i-turn-on-only-the-radsnet-of-the-component-i-am-moving) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Yes you can. If you open Pcbnew, go to the right-hand side toolbar and you will see some tools. The first one (top) is the arrow key for "Select item". The..."

### PADS Professional

- Title: [What is PADS PROFESSIONAL used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-pads-professional-used-for) — 2 comments *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "PADS Professional is the ideal choice for individual engineers working on the design of complex hardware-based electronic products. It is a fully integrated..."
- Title: [Who makes PADS PCB?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/who-makes-pads-pcb) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Mentor Graphics. Currently acquired by SIEMENS"
- Title: [Which software is best for PCB design?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/pads-professional-which-software-is-best-for-pcb-design) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "PADS Proessional"

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**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/kicad-eda-vs-pads-professional)