50 Top Product Design and Product Development Software Tools

Even the most skilled product designers and engineers are only as good as the product design/development tools they use. As PCB designs become more complex and challenging, and as designers and engineers need more advanced methods of simulation and schematic capture, product designers and engineers need tools and software that can keep up with the demands of the industry.
We understand the challenges of finding the right tool for the right project and budget, so we have scoured the web for the top 50 product design/development tools. To make our list, the tools must have a reputation for being user friendly, powerful, and feature-rich. We also realize that some tools can bog down the design process with too many bells and whistles, so our list of 50 covers the simple to the most robust and complex tools, and a cost range from free to thousands of dollars, to ensure that at least one of the tools will fit your product design and development needs. As always, please note that we have listed our top 50 product design/development tools in no particular order.

1. Scheme-it

A free online schematic drawing tool, Scheme-it includes nearly everything a design engineer needs, including schematic symbols, system blocks, and more. Scheme-it is an easy to use tool that is risk free.
Key Features:

• Schematic, diagram, and custom symbols
• System blocks
• System icons
• Export, share, and print capabilities

Cost: FREE
2. CircuitLab
@CircuitLab

If you’re looking for an online in-browser schematic capture and circuit simulation tool, Circuit Lab is one to consider. Anyone from students and hobbyists to professional engineers can use CircuitLab to design, share, and discuss their designs and then analyze analog and digital systems before building prototypes.
Key Features:

• Easy-to-use schematic editor
• Accurate analog and digital circuit simulations in seconds
• Professional schematic PDFs, wiring diagrams, and plots
• No installation required

Cost: 

• CircuitLab Student Edition
  • Free for students if school purchases school-wide site license for $1200/semester (6 months)
  • Individual student licenses may be available for $12/semester (6 months)
• CircuitLab Hacker Lite: $79/year or $16/month
• CircuitLab Hacker: $129/year or $26/month
• CircuitLab Pro: $399/year or $39/month
• CircuitLab Platinum: $999/year or $100/month

3. KTechLab

An IDE for microcontrollers and electronics, KTechLab is a tool available for download from Sourceforge. KTechLab is rated 4.8 stars and is known for being easy to use.
Key Features:

• Supports circuit simulation
• Supports program development for microcontrollers
• Simulate the programmed microcontroller with its application circuit

Cost: FREE
4. KiCad EDA Software Suite
@kicad_pcb

KiCad EDA Software Suite is a product design tool for creating professional schematics and printed circuit boards. Product design engineers choose KiCad EDA Software Suite for projects up to 32 copper layers with additional technical layers.
Key Features:

• Comes with a rich set of libraries with 3D models
• Under active development by a team of developers and an a user group
• Includes a project manager and four main independent software tools, including Eeschema, Pcbnew, Gerbview, and Cvpcb

Cost: FREE
5. FreeEDA

Previously Oscad, FreeEDA is an open source EDA tool that is integrating using open source software such as KiCad, Ngspice, and Scilab. For circuit design, simulation, analysis, and PCB design, FreeEDA is a free alternative to expensive licensed software.
Key Features:

• Draw circuits, create a netlist, and simulate
• Do PCB design and generate Gerber files
• Add/edit device models and subcircuits using the Model Builder and Subcircuit Builder tools
• Runs on Ubuntu Linux and Windows XP and 7

Cost: FREE
6. TinyCAD

TinyCAD is a design tool for schematic drawing. Use TinyCAD for one-line diagrams, block diagrams, and presentation drawings. TinyCAD has been downloaded thousands of times from SourceForge and is rated 4.9 stars.
Key Features:

• Flat of hierarchical schematic entry
• Several PCB layout-compatible netlist formats
• Support for embedding graphical images in drawings

Cost: FREE
7. Schematics.com
@schematicscom

Rather than a single tool, Schematics.com is a resource of several tools for engineers who want to “design, share, and collaborate on circuit design online.” No matter the project size, Schematics.com has the tools for real-world productivity and collaboration.
Key Features:

• Search by company
• Browse staff picks
• Companies include Freescale, Microchip, NXP Semiconductors, Silicon Labs, and TE Connectivity

Cost: FREE – sign up and start designing and collaborating
8. XCircuit

Circuit takes your electrical circuit schematic diagrams and related figures to the next level by producing them in publishable quality. What sets Circuit apart from other drawing programs and schematic capture programs is that maintains the integrity of the artistic expression in the circuit drawing, making it an incredibly useful tool for design engineers.
Key Features:

• Useful as a tool for presentations and as an EDA tool
• XCircuit output is PostScript
• A UNIX/X11 and Windows, or Windows using Cygwin and the Cygwin X-Server program
• Writes both hierarchical PostScript output and hierarchical SPICE net lists

Cost: FREE
9. Xpedition Enterprise
@MentorPCB

Mentor Graphics wants to help design engineers reduce design cycles and drastically improve overall quality and resource efficiency with Xpedition Enterprise’s patented technologies. Described as “the industry’s most innovative PCB design flow, providing integration from system design definition to manufacturing execution,” Xpedition Enterprise is a robust PCB design software solution.
Key Features:

• Full data integrity throughout the entire design and IP management process
• Virtual prototyping
• Flow-wide concurrent engineering
• Integrated design-for-manufacturing
• Correct-by-design methodology and flow automation

Cost: Contact for a quote
10. Open Schematic Capture

Open Schematic Capture (OSC) is a set of programs for creating and net listing schematics and completing the associated layout. Meant to be a production grade tool for designing and laying out mixed analog/digital integrated circuits, OSC is written in Java and uses Java Swing for the GUI.
Key Features:

• Portable across all operating systems that support a Java Virtual Machine
• Directory-based data structure
• Supports undo/redo
• Supports multiple users

Cost: FREE
11. EasyEDA
@easyeda

EasyEDA is a product design tool that is web-based EDA, schematic capture, spice circuit simulation, and PCB layout in one. With over 77,400 schematic and 15,000 Spice libraries, EasyEDA has everything a design engineer needs to complete a project.
Key Features:

• Publish and share easily
• Importing and exporting
• Access control

Cost: FREE trial; Contact for a quote
12. CadSoft EAGLE
@CadSoftTech

EAGLE PCB design software features three modules and a common interface. With a variety of product combinations and the ability for users to choose configurations that meet their requirements, EAGLE is the tool that thousands of engineers across the globe have chosen as their product design tool.
Key Features:

• Schematic editor, layout editor, and library editor modules have identical user interfaces
• Free service support from experts
• Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac
• No maintenance fees or add-on contracts
• Parse and paste your data outside of EAGLE (XML datastructure)

Cost: Contact for a quote
13. Target 3001!

Target 3001! is CAD/CAE software for PCB design that features one user interface for schematic, simulation, layout, autoroute, 3D view, and front panel design. Target3001! is made in Germany by IBF.
Key Features:

• Windows graphical user interface
• Toggle between schematic and layout or open both in separate windows beside one another
• Open several projects simultaneously
• ERC and DRC

Cost: 

• Target 3001! discover: FREE – single user license, 250 pins/pads, 2 copper layers, 30 signals for simulation, front panel: 50 cm, and more (no commercial use)
• Target 3001! light: $79 – single user license, 400 pins/pads, 2 copper layers, 30 signals for simulation, front panel: 80 cm, and more (no commercial use)
• Target 3001! smart: $249 – single user license, 700 pins/pads, 2 copper layers, 50 signals for simulation, front panel: 100cm, and more (commercial use)
• Target 3001! medium: $549 – single user license, 1,000 pins/pads, 2 copper layers, 60 signals for simulation, front panel: 120cm, and more (commercial use)
• Target 3001! economy: $869 – single user license, 1,200 pins/pads, 4 copper layers, 75 signals for simulation, front panel: 140cm, and more (commercial use)
• Target 3001! professional: $2,549 – single user license, unlimited pins/pads, 100 copper layers, 100 signals for simulation, front panel: unlimited, and more (commercial use)
• Target 3001! design station: $4,169 – single user license, unlimited pins/pads, 100 copper layers, unlimited signals for simulation, front panel: unlimited, and more (commercial use)

14. Fritzing
@FritzingOrg

Fritzing is designed to support artists, hobbyists, and designers who work with interactive electronics. A free software tool, Fritzing aims to make “electronics accessible as a creative material for anyone” and allows users “to document their prototypes, share them with others, teach electronics in a classroom, and layout and manufacture professional PCBs.”
Key Features:

• An open source hardware initiative
• Frizzing offers a software tool, community website, and services to foster a creative ecosystem
• Free Fritzing app available

Cost: FREE, with the option of paying to produce professional PCBs out of your Fritzing designs using FritzingFab
15. ZenitPCB

A freeware program, ZenitPCB is a product design tool for anyone who wants to make PCBs or who wants to design his own PCB in a professional manner. Appropriate for hobbyists, students, academics, and professionals, ZenitPCB makes it possible to produce quality work without paying for expensive licenses.
Key Features:

• Flexible and easy-to-use CAD program
• Limited to 800 pins
• Create the project starting from the schematic capture or the layout itself
• Review the gerber created using the ZenitPCB GerberView

Cost: FREE
16. PCB

For Unix, Linux, Windows, and Mac systems, PCB is an interactive PCB editor. Design engineers choose PCB as their product design tool because it offers high-end features that significantly reduce layout time.
Key Features:

• Includes a rats nest feature and schematic/netlist import
• Design rule checking
• Provides RS-274X (Gerber), NC drill, and centroid data (X-Y data) output as well as photorealistic and design review images
• Offers a plug-in API to insert new functionality for custom requirements

Cost: FREE
17. FreePCB

FreePCB, a free, open source PCB editor for Windows, is easy to learn and use for anyone in the field of product design. Don’t let its ease of use fool you, though; FreePCB is more than able to handle professional-quality work.
Key Features:

• 1 to 16 copper layers
• Board size up to 60″ x 60″
• Uses English or metric units for most functions
• Design rule checker
• Autosave
• Imports and exports PADS-PCB netlists

Cost: FREE
18. Altium Designer
@altium

Altium recognizes that PCB design is only as good as the designer behind it. That’s why Altium Designer contains just the right mix of precision, usability, Native 3D, and collaboration so that designers and engineers can complete even the most complex PCB designs right the first time.
Key Features:

• Easy to learn and use
• Natively model the design in 3D with live clearance checking
• High-productivity PCB design workflow
• Monitor costs through the design process
• Collaborate with co-designers, engineers, and others

Cost: Contact for a quote
19. CR-5000
@ZukenAmericas

CR-5000 is Zuken’s advanced PCB design software. Seamlessly integrated tools, highly sophisticated functionality, and the ability to address design challenges make CR-5000 a premiere product design/development tool.
Key Features:

• System design and analysis
• PCB layout and verification
• Constraint management
• High-speed and EMC analysis
• Concurrent FPGA and PCB design
• Manufacturing output
• Parts library manager, documentation system, and internet-accessible components library

Cost: Contact for a quote
20. OrCAD

OrCAD helps designers and engineers meet their product design and development goals with its scalable, robust PCB solution. Use the OrCAD platform every step of the way to get all of the benefits of its complete, integrated workflow.
Key Features:

• Solutions offered as standalone products or in comprehensive suites
• Expand and upgrade as PCB challenges and designs grow
• Seamless tool integration

Cost: 

• OrCAD Lite – FREE
• Contact for a quote for other OrCAD products

21. EDWinXP
@VisionicsIndia

The PCB design and SPICE-based software from Visionics, EDWinXP is an integrated solution that is fast and easy to use. Go from schematic to fabrication in far less time and for far fewer dollars with this product design/development tool.
Key Features:

• Schematic editor, simulators-mixed mode simulator, and EDSpice simulator
• PCB layout editor
• Generate manufacturing output files for Photoplottoer, NC Drill, and others

Cost: 

• EDWinXP 1.90 Commercial – 1 User
  • EDWinXP – Standard, Download Version: $1,200
  • EDWinXP – Standard, Shipping Version: $1,320
  • EDWinXP – Deluxe, Download Version: $1,600
  • EDWinXP – Deluxe, Shipping Version: $1,720
  • EDWinXP – Professional, Download Version: $2,400
  • EDWinXP – Professional, Shipping Version: $2,520
• EDWinXP 1.90 Non Commercial
  • EDWinXP – Standard, Download Version: $240
  • EDWinXP – Standard, Shipping Version: $360
  • EDWinXP – Deluxe, Download Version: $320
  • EDWinXP – Deluxe, Shipping Version: $440
  • EDWinXP – Professional, Download Version: $480
  • EDWinXP – Professional, Shipping Version: $600

22. Proteus Design Suite 8.2

Proteus Design Suite 8.2, the latest release of the Proteus Design Suite CAD Software, is the most integrated version released to date. With VSM Studio IDE, live net listing and shared database, 3D visualization, and more, Proteus Design Suite 8.2 is a much more complete product design/development tool than ever before.
Key Features:

• Completely new application module for Project Notes
• Bill of Materials report module supports Project Notes, physical layout configuration, and dialogue-driven style management
• New import tools for library parts and fully compatible with the PCB Library Expert tool
• Support for ARM Cortex-MO variants from NXP
• More than 35 pre-supplied schematic clips for Arduino shields and breakout boards

Cost: 

• Proteus PCB Design Starter Kit: $248
• Proteus PCB Design Level 1: $487
• Proteus PCB Design Level 1+: $652
• Proteus PCB Design Level 2: $982
• Proteus PCB Design Level 2+: $1,642
• Proteus PCB Design Level 3: $2,022
• Advanced Simulation Features: $322
• Proteus Platinum Edition: $6,592

23. TINA
@tinadesignsuite

Available both online and offline, the TINA Design Suite is a circuit simulation and PCB design software package from DesignSoft. TINA is a popular product design/development tool for electrical engineers because it is easy to use, yet powerful.
Key Features:

• Analyze, design, and real-time test analog, digital, HDL, MCU, and mixed electronic circuits and their PCB layouts
• Analyze SMPS, RF, communication, and optoelectronic circuits
• Generate and debug MCU code using the integrated flowchart tool
• Test microcontroller applications in a mixed-circuit environment

Cost: 

• TINA 10.0 – Design Suite Basic Edition: $129, single user, bundled with free TINACloud Basic registration for one year
• TINA 10.0 – Design Suite Basic Plus Edition: $299, single user, bundled with free TINACloud Basic registration for one year
• TINA 10.0 – Design Suite Classic Edition: $600, single user, bundled with free TINACloud Basic registration for one year
  • Second and further licenses: $300
• TINA 10.0 – Design Suite Industrial version: $1,200, single user, bundled with free TINACloud Basic registration for one year
  • Second and further licenses: $600
  • Site license: $3,900

24. Allegro Design Entry Capture/Capture CIS
@Cadence

Get fast, intuitive schematic design entry for PCB development or analog simulation using Spice with Cadence Allegro Design Entry Capture/Capture CIS. A widely used product design tool, Allegro Design Entry Capture/Capture CIS supports the simplest to the most complex flat and hierarchical designs.
Key Features:

• Enhance schematic editing efficiency of even complex designs through hierarchical and variant design capabilities
• Integrates with a CIS to promote the use of preferred, current parts and accelerates the design process and reduces project costs
• Provides access to more than two million parts with Cadence ActiveParts

Cost: Contact for a quote
25. NI Circuit Design Suite
@NIglobal

By combining NI Multisim and Ultiboard software, National Instruments created NI Circuit Design, “a complete circuit design, simulation, validation, and layout platform.” Rather than purchase individual software packages, consider NI Circuit Design Suite and get a comprehensive product design/development tool.
Key Features:

• Professional tools for research and prototyping
• Comprehensive library of components
• Flexbile PCB layout and routing environment
• Easily transfer completed Multisim schematics to Ultiboard and lay out, route, and export completed designs for fabrication

Cost: 

• NI Circuit Design Suite Power Pro: $5,700
• NI Circuit Design Suite Full: $3,830
• NI Circuit Design Suite Base: $849

26. DesignSpark PCB

DesignSpark PCB is specifically designed for rapid prototyping, so that users can transform circuit ideas into testable boards more quickly. A product design/development tool that encourages more design options, DesignSpark is known for being incredibly accessible electronics design software.
Key Features:

• Powerful EDA engine for capturing schematics and designing PCBs and layouts
• Access to online libraries with more than 80,000 parts
• Links to fast turnaround PCB vendors through unrestricted Gerber and ODB++ outputs

Cost: FREE
27. Autodesk Product Design Suite
@autodesk

Autodesk Product Design Suite is a product design/development tool for 3D product design, simulation, collaboration, and visualization tools. Streamline your engineering process with Product Design Suite from Autodesk.
Key Features:

• Engineering design
• Conceptual design
• Sales engineering
• Design analysis

Cost: 

• Product Design Suite Premium (Desktop Subscription with auto-renewal):
  • $290/month with basic support
  • $325/month with advanced support
  • $2,310 annually with basic support
  • $2,575 annually with advanced support
• Product Design Suite Premium (Perpetual license) – download:
  • $5,775
  • $6,575 with maintenance subscription add-on
• Product Design Suite Ultimate (Desktop Subscription with auto-renewal):
  • $420/month with basic support
  • $465/month with advanced support
  • $3,360 annually with basic support
  • $3,730 annually with advanced support
• Product Design Suite Ultimate (Perpetual license) – download:
  • $8,395
  • $9,890 with maintenance subscription add-on

28. CATIA
@3DSCATIA

CATIA, from Dassault Systèmes, is a leading product design solution. CATIA goes above and beyond traditional 3D CAD with the ability to model any product plus do it in the context of product behavior for “design in the age of experience.”
Key Features:

• A social design environment that fosters business intelligence, real-time concurrent design, and collaboration
• Enhance existing design activities with world-class 3D modeling capabilities
• Easily integrates with existing processes and tools so everyone can participate in the product design process

Cost: Contact for a quote
29. SOLIDWORKS
@SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS solutions provide a seamless, integrated workflow, making it possible for designers and engineers to design, verify, communicate, and more while spanning multiple disciplines. Shorten the design cycle, increase productivity, and deliver innovative products to market with SOLIDWORKS solutions.
Key Features:

• 3D CAD
• Simulation
• Product data management
• Technical communication
• Electrical design

Cost: Contact for a quote
30. AutoCAD
@autodesk

One of the best-known product design/development tools on the market, AutoCAD allows designers to design and document seamlessly and easily. Document and detail work with productivity tools, share your work with TrustedDWG technology, connect your workflow, and more with AutoCAD.
Key Features:

• Refined interface
• Reality computing
• Select your CAD platform: AutoCAD for Windows or AutoCAD for Mac
• Connect workflow across integrated desktop, cloud, and mobile solutions

Cost: Starts as low as $150.83/month
31. LabVIEW Communications System
@NIglobal

The LabVIEW Communications system Design Suite, from National Instruments, provides a design environment closely integrated with NI SDR hardware. This allows for rapid prototyping of communications systems and makes it easier for product designers and engineers to complete the product design/development process more quickly.
Key Features:

• Unified design flow
• Flexible, efficient design
• Comprehensive system design tool

Cost: Contact for a quote
32. DipTrace
@DipTrace

DipTrace is schematic and PCB design software with an intuitive interface and a broad range of capabilities. Library creation and 3D preview are just two of the features that make DipTrace a smart product design/development tool choice.
Key Features:

• Hierarchical multi-sheet schematic design
• Board design with manual and automatic routing
• Fast and easy creation of new components
• Real-time 3D preview and mechanical CAD export

Cost: 

• DipTrace Full: $895 – unlimited pins, unlimited signal layers
• DipTrace Extended: $595 – 2,000 pins, 6 signal layers
• DipTrace Standard: $345 – 1,000 pins, 4 signal layers
• DipTrace Lite: $145 – 500 pins, 2 signal layers
• DipTrace Starter: $75 – 300 pins, 2 signal layers
• Volume, Non-Profit, and Academic pricing is available: Contact for more information

33. Topor
@Eremex

Topor, the topology editor and automatic router for PCB design, is EDA software from Eremex. Topor enables designers and engineers to handle today’s increasingly complex PCB design tasks.
Key Features:

• Greatly reduces PCB design time
• High-quality autorouting
• Improved electromagnetic capability
• Design for complex and high-speed PCBs

Cost: Contact for a quote
34. Saber Xilinx@synopsys

From Synopsys, a leader in EDA, Saber is a platform specifically “for modeling and simulating physical systems, enabling full-system virtual prototyping for applications in analog/power electronics, electric power generation/conversion/distribution and mechatronics.” Saber has been a top choice for design validation and optimization for various systems, including automotive, aerospace, and others.
Key Features:

• Verify behavior of multi-domain physical systems
• Optimize system for performance, reliability, and cost
• Create and simulate thousands of virtual prototypes with grid computing
• Superior model accuracy, model libraries, and modeling tools for power electronic systems

Cost: Contact for a quote
35. MDK Version 5 Microcontroller Development Kit
@KeilTools

Keil offers embedded development tools for ARM and other processor families. Keil MDK Version 5 is the latest release geared toward ARM, Cortex-M, and Cortex-R based micro controller environments. Easy to learn and use, MDK is a complete solution for micro controller software development, and an important part of the product design/development process.
Key Features:

• Now split into the MDK Core and Software Packs, making new device support and middleware updates independent from the toolchain
• Contains all development tools including IDE, Compiler, and Debugger
• New run-time environment

Cost: Contact for a quote
36. Linear Technology
@LinearTech

Linear Technology offers a broad range of custom design simulation tools and device models. Their solutions are accessible enough that even novice designers are able to use them quickly and easily as product design/development tools.
Key Products:

• LTspice IV
• LTpowerCAD
• Amplifier Simulation & Design
• LTpowerPLay

Cost: Contact for a quote and to determine the product design/development tool that best suits your needs
37. HiPer Silicon
@TannerEDA

TannerEDA aims to drive productive design “with full flow solutions for analog mixed-signal ICs and MEMS.” TannerEDA solutions are effective alternatives to Cadence, Mentor Graphics, and Synopsys. HiPer Silicon is one of those alternatives. As TannerEDA’s full flow design suite, HiPer Silicon is a smart product design tool choice.
Key Features:

• Complete analog design flow from schematic capture, circuit simulation, and waveform analysis to physical layout and verification
• Ideal for analog, mixed-signal, RF,and MEMS IC design
• Integrated tools suite with a common architecture and user interface consistent across all tools
• Advanced features and optional ad-in tools

Cost: Contact for a quote
38. Quite Universal Circuit Simulator

Rated 5 stars by SourceForge users, Quite Universal Circuit Simulator (Qucs) has been downloaded thousands of times as a product design tool. Quakes supports all types of circuit simulation, including DC, AC, S-parameter, and Transient, among others.
Key Features:

• Supports pure digital simulations
• Schematic capture
• Analog and digital simulations
• Data visualization

Cost: FREE
39. Ngspice

Ngspice improves upon the spice3f5 circuit simulator. The latest release, Ngspice-26, is more applicable and compatible than ever, earning it a 5-star rating on SourceForge after thousands of downloads.
Key Features:

• Updated handling of libraries
• Improved code compliance
• New features and functions

Cost: FREE
40. NI Ultiboard
@NIglobal

NI Ultiboard helps product designers and engineers rapidly prototype PCBs. The Ultiboard layout and routing environment of NI Ultiboard is flexible enough to make it a top choice in product design/development tools.
Key Features:

• Flexible environment optimized for rapid design and accurate part or copper placement
• Engineer-friendly interface for laying out and routing PCBs
• Seamless integration with Multisim to ensure accurate transfer of simulated designs

Cost: Contact for a quote
41. Open Circuit Design

Open Circuit Design is a resource of multiple open-source EDA tools. All tools on the site are free for use and are comprehensive enough to compete with commercial tools. Check out Open Circuit Design for all of your product design/development tool needs before committing to purchasing a tool.
Key Tools:

• Magic, the VLSI layout editor, extraction and DRC tool
• XCircuit, the circuit drawing and schematic capture tool
• Qrouter, the over-the-sell (sea-of-gates) detail router
• PCB, the printed circuit board layout editor

Cost: FREE
42. CometCAD

A circuit schematic and layout editor program, CometCAD is for Windows 2k, XP, Vista, and 7. CometCAD consists of a circuit editor, layout (PCB) editor, and symbol editor, making it a complete product design tool.
Key Features:

• Multi-sheet circuit schematics
• Maximum sheet size 2m x 2m
• 1/2 copper layers
• PCB board may have a polygon shape
• Optional milled PCB gap/cuts and round holes
• Create rectangular multi-PCB panels
• Separate tools and checks for different symbol types
• Link symbols and footprints in the library, if desired

Cost: 

• Level 1: FREE – maximum of 2 schematic sheets, maximum of 50 symbols/sheet, 1-999 pins/symbol, 1-2 PCB layers, maximum of 2,000 symbol library items
• Level 2: $67 – maximum of 20 schematic sheets, maximum of 200 symbols/sheet, 1-999 pins/symbol, 1-2 PCB layers, maximum of 10,000 symbol library items
• Level 3: $134 – maximum of 100 schematic sheets, maximum of 1,000 symbols/sheet, 1-999 pins/symbol, 1-2 PCB layers, maximum of 10,000 symbol library items

43. Osmond PCB

Osmond PCB is PCB design for Macintosh. Design boards of any size and shape with as many layers as you can imagine, using Osmond PCb. Osmond PCB’s flexible features make it an ideal product design tool.
Key Features:

• No artificial limits or restrictions
• Spatial resolution of 10 nanometers
• Place parts anywhere on the board without orientation
• Supports metric and Imperial units
• Gerber and Drill file output

Cost: 

• FREE for designs with fewer than 700 pins
• OsmondCocoa 1.1.1: $79-$195
• Bitcoin Promotional Price: $68

44. BSch3V Schematic Capture Package

BSch3V, a schematic capture program for Windows Vista, 7, and 8, has basic functions yet enough software and data that it is a useful little product design tool. A free software package, BSch3V is more suited for hobbyists and novice product designers.
Key Features:

• Simplified operation
• Component library editor
• Parts list generator
• Netlist generator
• Automatic numbering software
• Search utility for CE3 files

Cost: FREE
45. PCB-Investigator
@PCBInvestigator

PCB-Investigator is a product design tool that allows users to analyze, edit, compare, find, and visualize PCB. With a robust list of features and functions, PCB-Investigator is a smart design tool for product designers and engineers.
Key Features:

• Import/export ODB++, Gerber 274x, and Excellon
• Optimize your EMC analysis
• Optimize assembly
• Supports collaboration and information exchange

Cost: Contact for a quote
46. GerberLogix

Product designers and engineers have their choice in multi-functional Gerber Viewers in the GerberLogix line from EasyLogix. Whether for commercial or non-commercial use, online or offline, there is a GerberLogix product design tool to fit your needs.
Key Features:

• Full power of Gerber with Excellon import
• Three draw modes included (filled, outline, or both)
• Five advanced measure modes (free point to point, object to object, object center to object center, annular ring for drill layers, and auto measure)
• Advanced printing functions

Cost: Contact for the tool best suited to your needs and for a quote
47. Viewplot

Viewplot is a complete product design tool, as it is a Gerber viewer, editor, and converter in one. Speed the design process by translating your CAD data in seconds as a standalone tool or integrated within existing CAD processes, using Viewplot.
Key Features:

• Several input formats, including Gerber D, Gerber 274X, Autocad DXF, and others
• Several output formats, including Hpgl, Excellon drill data, bitmap, and others
• Inspect various CAD formats, take measurements, and manipulate data

Cost: 

• Viewer only: FREE download
• Full license: € 430

48. QCAD
@qcad_org

QCAD is free, open source 2D CAD software for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Create technical drawings, such as mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams, using this product design tool.
Key Features:

• Intuitive user interface
• No CAD experience required to get started with QCAD
• Part library with more than 4,800 CAD parts
• Complete and powerful ECMAScript scripting interface

Cost: FREE
49. CADint

CADint PCB software is a product design tool that ensures directional back and forth between your schematic and PCB design to make sure you never create a bad design. With virtually unlimited capabilities, CADint is a top choice in product design software.
Key Features:

• Hierarchical schematic capture with unlimited capabilities and multi-bus structure with 99 different bus names
• ASCII imports in both schematic and PCB designs
• No size, shape, or layer count limit when creating PCB designs

Cost: 

• CADint PCB Standard (unlimited version): $2,900
• CADint PCB Light (limited to 1,000 pins, schematic & PCB): $1,495
• CADintPCB Educational (one limited version, and 5 Light): $995
• EE Designer Upgrade: $1,495
• Competitive Upgrade: $1,995
• CADint Student Version: $59.95

50. Pulsonix
@PulsonixPCB

Pulsonix specializes in schematic capture and PCB design software. Its completely integrated schematic capture and PCB design editor makes Pulsonix a go-to product design tool for anyone who wants to get serious about designing immediately.
Key Features:

• Complete with libraries, rules creation features, all design checking routines, and manufacturing files export
• Flexible and versatile, allowing for expansion as your needs change
• Nearly instantaneous item picking and graphics redraw

Cost: Contact for a quote