DesignSpark PCB
PCB design software
CAD software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if DesignSpark PCB and its alternatives fit your requirements.
£119.88 per year
Free TrialFree version
Small
Medium
Large
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation
- Education and training
- Public sector and nonprofit organizations
What is DesignSpark PCB
DesignSpark PCB is an electronic design automation (EDA) application for schematic capture and printed circuit board (PCB) layout. It targets hobbyists, students, and engineers who need a Windows-based tool for creating PCB designs and generating manufacturing outputs such as Gerber files. The product is distributed as part of the DesignSpark ecosystem and is commonly used for small-to-mid complexity board designs where a lightweight workflow is acceptable.
Accessible entry-level PCB tool
The software is available at no cost to download and use, which lowers barriers for learning and prototyping. It supports the core workflow of schematic capture, PCB layout, and manufacturing file generation. This makes it practical for education, makerspaces, and early-stage design work where licensing budgets are limited.
Integrated schematic and layout flow
DesignSpark PCB provides an integrated environment for creating schematics and translating them into PCB layouts. It supports common PCB design tasks such as component placement, routing, and design rule checks. For many basic designs, this reduces the need to stitch together multiple tools to reach fabrication-ready outputs.
Library and community ecosystem
The product is tied to the broader DesignSpark community and content ecosystem, which can help users find parts, tutorials, and example projects. It supports component libraries and footprints that can be reused across designs. This can shorten setup time for common components compared with building libraries from scratch.
Limited advanced PCB capabilities
Compared with higher-end PCB suites, DesignSpark PCB typically offers fewer advanced features for complex designs (for example, sophisticated constraint management, advanced high-speed design tooling, or enterprise collaboration controls). Teams working on dense multilayer boards or tightly constrained designs may hit functional limits. This can increase reliance on manual checks and workarounds as complexity grows.
Windows-centric deployment
DesignSpark PCB is primarily a Windows desktop application, which can be restrictive for organizations standardizing on macOS or Linux. It also limits flexibility for browser-based collaboration and device-agnostic access. Mixed-OS teams may need additional infrastructure (such as virtualization) to standardize usage.
Weaker enterprise governance
The product is not typically positioned for enterprise-grade data management, formal release workflows, or deep integration with PLM/ALM systems. Version control and multi-user collaboration features are generally less comprehensive than in tools designed for large engineering teams. This can be a constraint for regulated industries or organizations with strict design governance requirements.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer | Free (no hidden fees) | Download & use DesignSpark PCB and Mechanical; access community content, 3D models, schematics, footprints. (Official free tier). cite |
| Creator | £119.88 per year (billed yearly) — equivalent to £9.99 per month; (Free 7-day trial available) | All Explorer features plus advanced DesignSpark Mechanical features; PCB software with integrated product/parts search (SnapMagic/SnapEDA). Annual price announced by RS. cite |
| Engineer | £179.88 per year (billed yearly) — equivalent to £14.99 per month; (Free 7-day trial available) | All Creator features plus professional PCB design functionality (blind & buried vias, hierarchical schematics, differential pairs, panel editor, advanced DRC, etc.). Annual price announced by RS. cite |
| Enterprise | Request a quote / custom pricing | Multi-seat management, team licensing, discounts for volume; contact sales for quote. cite |
Seller details
RS Group plc
London, United Kingdom
1937
Public
https://www.rs-online.com/
https://x.com/RSComponents
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rs-components
