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Compare KiCad EDA and SOLIDWORKS 
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At a Glance
Market Segments
Small-Business (84.7% of reviews)
Small-Business (43.4% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Free
No pricing available
KiCad EDA
Star Rating
(64)4.6 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (84.7% of reviews)
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
Free
Browse all 2 pricing plansSOLIDWORKS
Star Rating
(621)4.5 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (43.4% of reviews)
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about SOLIDWORKSSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- Users report that SOLIDWORKS excels in 3D/solid modeling tools with a score of 9.7, making it a preferred choice for complex mechanical designs, while KiCad EDA, with a score of 6.7 in 3D modeling tools, is more focused on PCB design and lacks the depth in 3D modeling capabilities.
- Reviewers mention that SOLIDWORKS offers superior CAD-CAM import capabilities with a score of 9.1, which is crucial for users needing seamless integration between design and manufacturing processes, whereas KiCad EDA does not provide similar functionality, focusing instead on PCB layout and schematic editing.
- G2 users highlight that KiCad EDA shines in its PCB layout editing and schematic editor features, scoring 8.2 and 8.4 respectively, which are essential for electronics design, while SOLIDWORKS does not cater specifically to this niche, scoring lower in these areas.
- Users on G2 report that SOLIDWORKS has a more extensive library management system with a categorization score of 8.9, allowing for better organization of components, while KiCad EDA's component libraries score slightly lower at 8.0, indicating less robust library management.
- Reviewers mention that the ease of setup is a significant advantage for KiCad EDA, scoring 9.3, making it accessible for beginners, while SOLIDWORKS, with a score of 7.7, may require a steeper learning curve due to its advanced features.
- Users say that SOLIDWORKS provides a more comprehensive support system with a quality of support score of 8.1, which is crucial for businesses relying on timely assistance, while KiCad EDA, although free, may not offer the same level of support, impacting user experience for those needing help.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
KiCad EDA
OSS Edition
Free
KiCad is Open Source software. We offer world-class EDA design tools that are free to use, now and forever.
- 100k+ Symbol and footprint library
- 10k+ 3d Models
- Fast, responsive interface
SOLIDWORKS
No pricing availableFree Trial
KiCad EDA
Free Trial is available
SOLIDWORKS
No trial information availableRatings
Meets Requirements
8.5
45
8.8
517
Ease of Use
8.5
47
8.6
521
Ease of Setup
9.2
6
8.2
93
Ease of Admin
Not enough data
7.9
46
Quality of Support
8.0
35
8.1
457
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
Not enough data
8.3
46
Product Direction (% positive)
8.6
42
8.6
512
Features by Category
CAD to CAM
Not enough data
9.1
41
Not enough data
8.8
41
Not enough data
8.9
41
CNC Programming
Not enough data
8.6
37
Not enough data
8.6
37
Not enough data
8.4
36
Machining
Not enough data
8.6
38
Not enough data
8.7
38
Not enough data
8.7
38
Design
Not enough data
9.5
100
Not enough data
9.4
100
Not enough data
9.3
96
Not enough data
8.1
96
Edit
Not enough data
8.5
94
Not enough data
8.3
87
Not enough data
9.3
95
Not enough data
8.3
82
Collaboration
Not enough data
8.6
91
Not enough data
9.0
93
Not enough data
8.4
87
Library
Not enough data
8.8
27
Not enough data
8.5
26
Not enough data
8.3
27
Not enough data
8.6
22
CAD
Not enough data
8.9
23
Not enough data
9.4
29
Not enough data
9.0
28
Integration
Not enough data
8.5
25
Not enough data
9.6
27
Not enough data
8.5
23
Data
Not enough data
9.1
25
Not enough data
8.6
24
Not enough data
8.2
24
Not enough data
8.9
24
Not enough data
8.1
22
Not enough data
8.6
23
Logistics
Not enough data
9.1
25
File Support - Additive Manufacturing
Not enough data
8.8
60
Not enough data
8.6
46
Not enough data
8.4
51
File Editing - Additive Manufacturing
Not enough data
7.6
54
Not enough data
8.6
58
Software Integrations - Additive Manufacturing
Not enough data
7.6
48
Not enough data
8.8
57
Software Type - Additive Manufacturing
Not enough data
7.7
47
Not enough data
8.6
52
Generative AI - Additive Manufacturing
Not enough data
6.1
19
Not enough data
6.1
19
Building Preparation - Additive Manufacturing
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
File Options
Not enough data
8.8
43
Not enough data
9.1
42
Not enough data
9.0
41
Not enough data
9.3
43
Not enough data
8.3
34
Not enough data
8.2
40
Tools
Not enough data
9.4
42
Not enough data
9.0
40
Not enough data
9.2
42
Design
Not enough data
9.4
42
Design
8.1
35
7.7
11
8.3
35
7.7
11
Tools
6.6
29
9.2
12
8.3
34
8.8
12
Library
7.8
33
8.1
12
Platform
8.6
34
8.5
12
8.4
33
7.9
11
Customization
7.6
25
7.6
11
Feature Not Available
8.2
11
Design
Not enough data
9.2
59
Not enough data
9.0
60
Not enough data
8.8
60
Not enough data
7.6
58
Tools
Not enough data
8.0
53
Not enough data
7.9
55
Not enough data
7.4
48
Work
Not enough data
7.5
40
Not enough data
7.8
41
Not enough data
8.3
49
Not enough data
8.1
43
Not enough data
8.4
46
Environment
Not enough data
8.3
52
Not enough data
8.4
50
Not enough data
8.2
48
Not enough data
8.6
52
Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
9.3
25
Not enough data
8.5
24
Not enough data
9.3
25
Not enough data
9.0
24
Not enough data
7.6
24
File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
8.5
24
Not enough data
8.4
24
Not enough data
8.1
25
Not enough data
8.2
23
Not enough data
7.6
26
Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
8.3
21
Not enough data
8.3
21
Not enough data
7.5
22
Not enough data
8.2
22
Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)
Not enough data
8.3
22
Not enough data
8.3
22
Not enough data
7.8
22
Not enough data
8.8
23
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
KiCad EDA and SOLIDWORKS are categorized as PCB Design
Unique Categories
KiCad EDA has no unique categories
SOLIDWORKS is categorized as Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD), General-Purpose CAD, Simulation & CAE, CAD Viewers, Sketching, Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), CAD Libraries, CAD Data Exchange, and Additive Manufacturing
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
KiCad EDA
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
SOLIDWORKS
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
42.4%
Consumer Electronics
13.6%
Design
8.5%
Research
5.1%
Industrial Automation
5.1%
Other
25.4%
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
22.8%
Design
12.1%
Automotive
6.6%
Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
6.0%
Medical Devices
5.8%
Other
46.8%
Alternatives
Discussions
How can I turn on only the radsnet of the component I am moving?
1 Comment
IA
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...Read more
KiCad EDA has no more discussions with answers
What is SOLIDWORKS used for?
3 Comments
YP
SOLIDWORKS IS USED FOR MULTIPLE WORK LIKE 2D & 3D CAD MODELING, ASSEMBLY MODELING, SHWWET METAL MODELING, SURFACE MODELING, RENDERING, SIMULATION, 3D...Read more
best use o this software
2 Comments
OS
Making 2D sketches and extruding them to make 3d sketches.Read more
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