If you’ve been using Autodesk EAGLE or Fusion 360 Electronics, you might be wondering whether KiCad is a reliable alternative. The answer is yes — absolutely. Over the past few years, KiCad has evolved from a simple educational tool into a professional-grade PCB design suite used by engineers, makers, and even major hardware companies.
Let’s explore why KiCad is becoming the new standard in open source electronics design.
⚙️ What Is KiCad?
KiCad is a free, open-source electronic design automation (EDA) software used for creating schematics and printed circuit boards (PCB). It was originally developed by Jean-Pierre Charras in 1992 and has since grown into one of the most powerful open-source EDA tools available today.
Since CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) joined the development in 2013, KiCad has undergone massive improvements — both in performance and professional usability.
🚀 Major Improvements in Recent Versions
KiCad 5 (2018)
- Became stable for serious commercial projects.
- Introduced 3D viewer and enhanced library support.
KiCad 6 (2022)
- Complete GUI redesign for a cleaner and modern look.
- Reorganized symbol and footprint libraries.
- Improved electrical rule checks.
KiCad 7 (2023)
- Multi-project management.
- Enhanced hierarchical design.
- Better EAGLE and Altium import compatibility.
KiCad 8 (2024)
- Major library management upgrades.
- Built-in Python scripting for automation.
- Integration for manufacturing: Gerber, pick-and-place, and BOM export.
Each version has pushed KiCad closer to being a real competitor to commercial tools like Altium Designer and Fusion 360 Electronics.
🧩 Why Engineers Are Switching to KiCad
✅ Completely Free & Open Source – No license limits, no subscription plans, no cloud lock-in.
✅ Cross-Platform – Works perfectly on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
✅ Professional Tools – Interactive routing, real-time DRC, and 3D preview make it production-ready.
✅ Extensive Library Support – Thousands of components and footprints, plus community add-ons.
✅ Active Development – Maintained by CERN and a huge open-source community.
✅ Imports EAGLE Files – KiCad 7 and newer versions can import .sch and .brd files accurately.
⚠️ A Few Limitations to Keep in Mind
- The SPICE simulation is still basic compared to full-featured tools.
- Library management can feel complex for beginners.
- No native cloud collaboration (though Git works perfectly).
- The user interface is functional — not flashy.
But considering its zero cost, professional features, and open ecosystem, these are small trade-offs.
💡 Who Uses KiCad Today?
KiCad is now used by well-known open hardware companies such as:
- Adafruit Industries
- Olimex
- Framework Laptop
- Pine64
- SparkFun Electronics
These companies trust KiCad because it gives them full control over their design process and doesn’t tie them to proprietary platforms.
🔮 The Future of PCB Design Is Open Source
As Autodesk merges EAGLE into Fusion 360 Electronics, many designers are looking for a permanent, license-free solution. That’s exactly where KiCad shines.
It’s reliable, actively maintained, and fully independent. Whether you’re an engineer, a student, or a maker — KiCad gives you the freedom to design without restrictions.
🧭 Conclusion
If you want a professional, Linux-friendly, open-source PCB design software that keeps improving every year, KiCad is your best choice.
It’s not just an alternative to EAGLE — it’s the future of electronic design.
