CADSTAR
PCB design software
CAD software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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£119 / €139 per month
Free Trial unavailable
Free version
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What is CADSTAR
CADSTAR is an electronic design automation (EDA) tool used to design printed circuit boards, covering schematic capture, PCB layout, and manufacturing outputs. It targets electronics engineers and PCB designers who need an integrated flow from design entry through routing and documentation. The product is commonly positioned for small-to-mid complexity PCB projects and supports library management and design-rule-driven layout.
Integrated schematic-to-PCB workflow
CADSTAR provides a single environment for schematic capture, PCB layout, and generation of manufacturing deliverables such as Gerber/ODB++-style outputs (depending on configuration) and drill files. This reduces handoffs between separate tools and helps keep design intent consistent across schematic and layout. For teams that do not require an enterprise-scale platform, the integrated flow can simplify day-to-day PCB development.
Design-rule-driven PCB layout
The tool supports design rules and constraints that guide placement and routing decisions. This helps designers check clearances, widths, and other constraints during layout rather than only at the end. Rule-driven checks can reduce rework when preparing boards for fabrication and assembly.
Manufacturing documentation outputs
CADSTAR supports creation of standard PCB manufacturing deliverables, including fabrication and assembly documentation. It also supports library-based part definitions that connect symbols, footprints, and attributes used in outputs such as bills of materials. These capabilities help move designs from layout to supplier handoff with fewer manual steps.
Unclear current product direction
CADSTAR has changed ownership over time, and public information about ongoing roadmap and release cadence can be harder to validate than for some larger EDA suites. This can create uncertainty for long-term standardization decisions. Prospective buyers often need to confirm current support terms, maintenance options, and upgrade paths directly with the seller.
Smaller ecosystem and integrations
Compared with widely adopted PCB platforms, CADSTAR typically has fewer third-party integrations, community resources, and readily available training content. This can increase onboarding time for new users and make it harder to find external contractors already proficient in the tool. Integration requirements (MCAD exchange, PLM, simulation, or enterprise library workflows) may require additional validation.
Not focused on MCAD modeling
While it is a CAD tool in the EDA sense, CADSTAR is primarily for PCB design rather than full mechanical CAD modeling. Organizations looking for deep parametric mechanical design, assemblies, and mechanical simulation will generally need a separate MCAD system. Cross-domain collaboration may rely on file exchange workflows rather than a unified mechanical-electrical model.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| CADSTAR Express (Free) | Free | Permanent free edition; core functionality limited to 50 components and 300 pins (downloadable). |
| CADSTAR Lite / Lite+ | From £119 / €139 per month (Lite+ flexible rental) | Entry-level bundle limited to 4 layers and 2,000 pins; available as monthly rental (Lite+) or perpetual license (perpetual price not published). |
| CADSTAR Basic | Not listed on site (contact sales) | Standard bundle; supports up to 4 layers, unlimited pins for Basic? (feature matrix on official site lists Basic as 'Unlimited' for some items—see official bundle page). |
| CADSTAR Professional | Not listed on site (contact sales) | Advanced / High-speed / HDI capabilities; feature-rich (3D, high-speed routing). Price not published; contact reseller/sales. |
Seller details
Zuken Inc.
Yokohama, Japan
1976
Public
https://www.zuken.com/
https://x.com/ZukenGlobal
https://www.linkedin.com/company/zuken/
