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Open source CircuitLab alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

2 of the 6 CircuitLab alternatives we track are open source. Qucs-S and KiCad rank highest, with facts last verified Nov 8, 2026.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Qucs-S logoQucs-SOpen source—YesWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 561.8
2KiCad logoKiCadOpen source—YesWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 557.5
  1. Qucs-S logo

    1. Qucs-STop pick

    Best for: Students and hobbyists who want free SPICE simulation with a point-and-click schematic editor

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from CircuitLab

    Free open-source desktop simulator with SPICE back ends and no limits on commercial use.

    Pros

    • Works with several free simulation engines from one GUI
    • Windows installer comes bundled with Ngspice
    • Packaged for most Linux distributions, including Flatpak
    • Free and open source with regular releases

    Cons

    • Needs an external simulator backend to do anything
    • No PCB layout, so board design needs a separate tool
    • macOS install goes through a Homebrew tap rather than an app download
    Visit Qucs-S Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Qucs-S a good CircuitLab alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Simulation engines
    Ngspice, Xyce, Qucsator
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ra3xdh.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows
    Installer bundled with Ngspice
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ra3xdh.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    macOS
    Via Homebrew
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ra3xdh.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Linux packages
    Distro repos, AppImage, Flatpak
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ra3xdh.github.io(opens source in a new tab)
  2. KiCad logo

    2. KiCad

    Best for: Hobbyists, startups and engineers who want a capable PCB tool with no licence cost

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from CircuitLab

    Free open-source suite covering schematics, simulation and PCB layout on the desktop.

    Pros

    • Completely free with no feature limits or seat caps
    • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Large official libraries and an active community
    • Projects are local files you fully control

    Cons

    • Fewer advanced high-speed and team collaboration features than Altium
    • Managing custom libraries takes some learning
    • No built-in part sourcing like EasyEDA's LCSC link
    Visit KiCad Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is KiCad a good CircuitLab alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL v3
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kicad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kicad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Simulation
    Integrated SPICE
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kicad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Manufacturing output
    Gerber and IPC-2581
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kicad.org(opens source in a new tab)
    First released
    1992
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kicad.org(opens source in a new tab)