# NI Multisim vs OrCAD PCB Designer Comparison | | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 42 | 15 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (47.6% of reviews) | Small-Business (46.2% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | 1,869.00 | No pricing available | --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (38 reviews) | 7.6 (9 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.6 (38 reviews) | 8.0 (9 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Quality of Support** | 8.3 (34 reviews) | 7.1 (8 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.7 (35 reviews) | 6.1 (9 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### 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 ### OrCAD PCB Designer #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### PCB Design | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **NI Multisim** | 8.1/10 | 14 | | **OrCAD PCB Designer** | 7.5/10 | 11 | #### Design | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **PCB layout editing** | 7.8 (12 reviews) | 7.6 (9 reviews) | | **Schematic editor** | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 8.3 (9 reviews) | #### Tools | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **3D modeling tools** | 6.7 (7 reviews) | 5.2 (8 reviews) | | **Component placement** | 8.5 (10 reviews) | 7.0 (9 reviews) | #### Library | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Component libraries** | 8.3 (13 reviews) | 7.8 (9 reviews) | #### Platform | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Board size** | 8.1 (12 reviews) | 8.0 (9 reviews) | | **Layers** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | 8.3 (9 reviews) | #### Customization | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Custom commands** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 7.6 (7 reviews) | | **Custom interface** | 7.9 (8 reviews) | 8.1 (8 reviews) | ### Simulation & CAE | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **NI Multisim** | 8.6/10 | 9 | | **OrCAD PCB Designer** | N/A | N/A | #### Design | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **3D/solid modeling Tools** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Drawing Tools** | 8.8 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Editing Tools** | 8.5 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Rendering tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Tools | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Fluid analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Finite element analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Multibody dynamics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Work | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Discrete event modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Continuous event modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Mechanical event simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Manufacturing process simulation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Integrate** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Environment | Feature | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Hardware support** | 9.3 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Task** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Manage Multiple Profiles** | 9.7 (5 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Command Clarity** | 9.0 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | --- ## 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) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | NI Multisim | OrCAD PCB Designer | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 47.6% | 46.2% | | **Mid-Market** | 26.2% | 30.8% | | **Enterprise** | 26.2% | 23.1% | ### By Industry #### 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% #### OrCAD PCB Designer - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 30.8% - **Manufacturing:** 7.7% - **Semiconductors:** 7.7% - **Research:** 7.7% - **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 7.7% - **Industrial Automation:** 7.7% - **Education Management:** 7.7% - **Design:** 7.7% - **Defense & Space:** 7.7% - **Consumer Electronics:** 7.7% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to NI Multisim - [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (996 reviews) - [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 (67 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) ### Alternatives to OrCAD PCB Designer - [Altium Develop](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-develop/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (996 reviews) - [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) - [EasyEDA](https://www.g2.com/products/easyeda/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (20 reviews) - [KiCad EDA](https://www.g2.com/products/kicad-eda/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (67 reviews) - [Allegro X PCB Designer](https://www.g2.com/products/allegro-x-pcb-designer/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (30 reviews) - [Autodesk EAGLE](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-eagle/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (76 reviews) - [PADS Professional](https://www.g2.com/products/pads-professional/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (64 reviews) - [Altium CircuitMaker](https://www.g2.com/products/altium-circuitmaker/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (110 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### 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..." ### OrCAD PCB Designer No discussions available for this product. --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/ni-multisim-vs-orcad-pcb-designer)