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# KiCad EDA vs SolidWorks PCB Comparison - What are their main differences?

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KiCad EDASolidWorks PCB[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**KiCad EDA** [

4.5/5(69)

](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews#reviews)

**SolidWorks PCB** [

3.8/5(14)

](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pcb/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**KiCad EDA**
Free Trial

**Free** · OSS Edition

**SolidWorks PCB**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**KiCad EDA**
Not enough reviews yet

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**KiCad EDA**
Not enough reviews yet

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**KiCad EDA**
$$$$$

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough reviews yet

Average Discount

**KiCad EDA**
Not enough reviews yet

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**KiCad EDA**
[
Ease of Use (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1881918&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Library Management (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1881696&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Cloud Issues (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2485116&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Inefficient Autorouting (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1881723&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough data

Integrations

**KiCad EDA**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_7f62e936e184242294b0a75aa09a6095/altium-develop.png "Product Avatar Image")

Altium Develop

](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_e00dd8bdafdafc988f2621d1c6fb30ad/fusion-360.png "Product Avatar Image")

Autodesk Fusion

](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/integrations)

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough data

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**KiCad EDA**

8.2

8.250

**SolidWorks PCB**

8.9

8.99

Ease of Use

**KiCad EDA**

8.6

8.652

**SolidWorks PCB**

8.7

8.79

Ease of Setup

**KiCad EDA**

9.3

9.312

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**KiCad EDA**
Not enough data

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough data

Quality of Support

**KiCad EDA**

7.9

7.939

**SolidWorks PCB**

9.3

9.39

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**KiCad EDA**
Not enough data

**SolidWorks PCB**
Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**KiCad EDA**

8.7

8.746

**SolidWorks PCB**

7.1

7.18

Features

PCB Design[Hide 9 FeaturesShow 9 Features](javascript:void(0);)

7.9

42

Not enough data

Design

PCB layout editing

8.0(won by default)

40

Not enough data

Schematic editor

8.3(won by default)

40

Not enough data

Tools

3D modeling tools

6.5(won by default)

31

Not enough data

Component placement

8.3(won by default)

38

Not enough data

Library

Component libraries

7.4(won by default)

37

Not enough data

Platform

Board size

8.6(won by default)

36

Not enough data

Layers

8.5(won by default)

36

Not enough data

Customization

Custom commands

7.4(won by default)

27

Not enough data

Custom interface

Feature Not Available

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![KiCad EDA](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3cba30e35707ff79678e1f8e5a283790/kicad-eda.svg "KiCad EDA")](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews)

KiCad EDA

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

84.4%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

10.9%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

4.7%

[![SolidWorks PCB](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_1a205a5c61ff212fe7026491750ad4c6/solidworks-pcb.png "SolidWorks PCB")](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pcb/reviews)

SolidWorks PCB

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

92.9%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

7.1%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

0%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

84.4%

92.9%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

10.9%

7.1%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

4.7%

0%

Reviewers' Industry

[![KiCad EDA](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3cba30e35707ff79678e1f8e5a283790/kicad-eda.svg "KiCad EDA")](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews)
KiCad EDA

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing

40.6%

Consumer Electronics

12.5%

Design

7.8%

Research

6.3%

Automotive

4.7%

Other

28.1%

[![SolidWorks PCB](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_1a205a5c61ff212fe7026491750ad4c6/solidworks-pcb.png "SolidWorks PCB")](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pcb/reviews)
SolidWorks PCB

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering

14.3%

Packaging and Containers

7.1%

Oil & Energy

7.1%

Higher Education

7.1%

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing

7.1%

Other

57.1%

FAQs

## KiCad EDA vs SolidWorks PCB FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between KiCad EDA vs SolidWorks PCB?

KiCad EDA stands out for its higher G2 rating, free pricing, and strong small-business adoption, while SolidWorks PCB is noted for its advanced MCAD-ECAD collaboration and higher support scores.

| [KiCad EDA](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews) | [SolidWorks PCB](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pcb/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.5/5 (69 reviews) | 3.8/5 (14 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 9.3 | — |
| 7.9 | 9.3 |
| Ease of Use (2 all-time mentions) | ECAD-MCAD Collaboration (recent reviews) |

### How do the pricing models of KiCad EDA and SolidWorks PCB compare?

KiCad EDA is considered the stronger value due to its free pricing and high satisfaction with cost, while SolidWorks PCB is viewed as a premium solution with higher costs justified for advanced needs.

- **KiCad EDA:** Reviewers consistently highlight that KiCad EDA is free and offers professional-grade tools, making it highly attractive for cost-conscious users and small businesses.
- **SolidWorks PCB:** Reviewers describe SolidWorks PCB as a costly software but note that its price is justified for professional PCB design and advanced ECAD-MCAD collaboration.
- **Switching-reason:** Several reviewers mention switching from paid tools like Altium Designer to KiCad EDA due to its zero-cost model and sufficient feature set for most projects.

### What are the best alternatives to KiCad EDA and SolidWorks PCB?

The best alternatives to KiCad EDA and SolidWorks PCB are Altium Develop, Autodesk Fusion, and Autodesk EAGLE.

| 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 (2 all-time mentions) |
| [SolidWorks PCB](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks-pcb/reviews) | 3.8/5 (14 reviews) | Small-Business | Premium pricing, justified for advanced needs | ECAD-MCAD Collaboration (recent reviews) |
| [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) | 4.5/5 (1050 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Comprehensive feature set (recent reviews) |
| [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) | 4.5/5 (520 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Integrated CAD/CAM/CAE (recent reviews) |
| [Autodesk EAGLE](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-eagle/reviews) | 4.0/5 (77 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Ease of use for PCB design (recent reviews) |

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

Buyers should prioritize ease of use, library management, cross-platform compatibility, ECAD-MCAD collaboration, and support quality when comparing KiCad EDA and SolidWorks PCB.

- **Ease of Use:** KiCad EDA (8.6), SolidWorks PCB (8.7)
- **Library Management:** KiCad EDA (2 all-time mentions), SolidWorks PCB (recent reviews cite Altium library compatibility)
- **Cross-Platform Compatibility:** KiCad EDA (1 all-time mention), SolidWorks PCB (not cited)
- **ECAD-MCAD Collaboration:** SolidWorks PCB (recent reviews), KiCad EDA (not cited)
- **Support Quality:** KiCad EDA (7.9), SolidWorks PCB (9.3)

### What are the pros and cons of KiCad EDA vs SolidWorks PCB?

KiCad EDA's headline strength is its free, open-source model and ease of use, while SolidWorks PCB's strength is advanced ECAD-MCAD collaboration and support quality.

- **KiCad EDA strengths:** Free and open-source, ease of use (2 all-time mentions), strong library management (2 all-time mentions), cross-platform compatibility, large community and tutorials, fast updates, and beginner-friendly workflow.
- **KiCad EDA trade-offs:** Limited advanced features compared to premium tools, inefficient autorouting (1 all-time mention), confusing library/footprint setup, less polished interface, limited commercial support, and some software bugs (1 all-time mention).
- **SolidWorks PCB strengths:** Advanced ECAD-MCAD collaboration (recent reviews), intuitive user interface, strong version control, compatibility with Altium libraries, and high support quality (9.3 score).
- **SolidWorks PCB trade-offs:** Premium pricing, heavy resource requirements, slower tab switching, limited online support/community, and some reviewers cite missing hotkeys and cumbersome licensing.

### Is KiCad EDA or SolidWorks PCB 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 free pricing, ease of use, and suitability for startups and small teams.
- **SolidWorks PCB:** Small-Business is also the largest segment, but reviewers note its higher cost and resource requirements, making it more suitable for advanced or production-level needs.

### Which PCB Design platform has better integrations?

Neither KiCad EDA nor SolidWorks PCB has a clear reviewer preference for integrations, as no recent reviews cite specific third-party integrations for either product.

- **KiCad EDA:** No reviewer-cited integrations in recent reviews.
- **SolidWorks PCB:** No reviewer-cited integrations in recent reviews.

### How do KiCad EDA and SolidWorks PCB compare on customer support?

SolidWorks PCB leads on Quality of Support with a 1.4-point advantage over KiCad EDA (9.3 vs 7.9).

- **KiCad EDA:** Reviewers describe support as community-driven, with many tutorials and resources available, but note limited commercial support and occasional difficulty resolving advanced issues.
- **SolidWorks PCB:** Reviewers consistently rate support highly, citing responsive assistance and strong documentation for professional users.

### Which is easier to implement, KiCad EDA or SolidWorks PCB?

KiCad EDA is easier to implement, with a high Ease of Setup score and frequent reviewer praise for its quick learning curve and straightforward installation.

- **KiCad EDA:** Reviewers highlight easy installation, beginner-friendly setup, and fast onboarding, with an Ease of Setup score of 9.3.
- **SolidWorks PCB:** No Ease of Setup score available; reviewers mention heavy resource requirements and more complex setup for advanced features.

Alternatives

**KiCad EDA Alternatives**

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

[
Altium Develop
](/products/altium-develop/reviews)

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

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

 ![Altium CircuitMaker](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d171cd21beec7d9bf74fdf46f6b30627/altium-circuitmaker.svg "Altium CircuitMaker")

[
Altium CircuitMaker
](/products/altium-circuitmaker/reviews)

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

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

**SolidWorks PCB Alternatives**

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

[
Altium Develop
](/products/altium-develop/reviews)

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

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

 ![OrCAD Capture](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_82ead8bb85b7b9405672b934501989c8/orcad-capture.jpg "OrCAD Capture")

[
OrCAD Capture
](/products/orcad-capture/reviews)

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

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

## KiCad EDA vs SolidWorks PCB

- Reviewers felt that SolidWorks PCB meets the needs of their business better than KiCad EDA.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that SolidWorks PCB is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of KiCad EDA over SolidWorks PCB.