KiCad EDA Review

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Review of KiCad EDA powered by the Slant community.

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Pros

Pro
Cross-platform

Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Pro
Open source

KiCad is open source.

Pro
Efficient routing with Shove & Walk Around

Saves time while manually routing everything but the most simple.

Pro
High-speed differential pair routing support

Easy-to-use differential pair routing, interactive length matching and measurement.

Pro
3D PCB model support

Use STEP component models export a STEP model of the whole PCB.

Pro
Huge integrated part library

The large part library features tens of thousands of both generic and specialized parts & footprints, including 3D models.

Cons

Con
Multi-page schematics only with hierarchical sheets

In order to have a multi-page schematic, you currently always need to use hierarchical sheets (but you don't have to use hierarchical pins - just use global labels to interconnect your schematics).

Con
Few RF design features

Supports differential pairs, interactive length & phase matching etc., but no RF filter design, no integrated impedance calculations and no support for RF-related DRC checks.