Eagle Cad vs. Altium PCB Design Software: Top Comparison

Get out of the confusion between Eagle CAD and Altium Printed Circut Board designing software. We have shown Eagle Cad vs. Altium PCB design software with several factors like design, pricing, usability customer service, component library, compatibility, etc. It will help you to match your requirements and pick the perfect software for you. Indeed, Eagle CAD and Altium are the two leading PCB design software in 2025. Both of the software are demanding for their multi-purpose usability and design facilities. 

But which one will be the best match for you? To know this, you must go through an informative comparison of this software. Comparing the important factors can make your software choice faster and more accurate. To make your decision easier, we have made an unbiased comparison of Eagle CAD vs Altium PCB design software. Read the whole article for a meticulous buying experience.

Quick Comparison Table of Eagle CAD vs. Altium Designer

ComparisonEagleAltium
PricingFree version with two schematic sheets, two signal layers, and an 80 cm2 board area for personal use.Regular pricing is $1,555 ( 3 years), $545 annually, or $70 per month with some available discounts.Two convenient subscription plans: standard and pro. $325/month (for one seat) with a 15-day free trial. The annual license for the standard plan costs $3,850 per seat. Pro plan costs $4,845 (per seat per year). Altium CircuitMaker is a free PCB design tool.
Customer ServiceYou can easily access the Customer Success Hub. Their support and learning resource page provides directions on documentation.Every subscription has Altium Support. It offers support tickets and a chat function.
Ease of use
Straightforward functions for utmost usability.
Intuitive UI with many built-in wizards and easy functions for fast designing.
Ease of SetupFast and easy installation on Windows, Max, and Linux. Software installation guidance comes with the license
User InterfaceYou can personalize the schematic, layout, and library editor with EAGLE’s UI.Configurable UI to rearrange panels to your preference.
Component Library
Component libraries include symbols, footprints, 3D models, etc.
Database Library, SVN Database Library, Database Link, Integrated Library, Schematic Library, and PCB Library.

Compatibility with other software

Compatibility depends on the other software.
Automatic functions and add-ons for easy compatibility. 
Controls and Key bindingsA Plethora of controls and key binding shortcuts.Controls and keybinds are similar to most software programs.
Inputting Design rulesCan create customized designs as well as download already established designs.Organises rules into a hierarchical folder structure for easy visual.
Part CreationConnects Libraries and parts in a simple hierarchy.Creation within the same window and workflow.
Error CheckingDesign rule checking includes a DRC Errors dialogue.Supports real-time design rule checking (DRC) and batch DRC.

Eagle CAD vs. Altium PCB Design Software Detailed Comparison

eagle-cad-vs-altium

Eagle CAD vs. Altium circuit Design software used to design the electric circuit board. Both have some similarities and dissimilarities. So, let’s see some comprehensive comparison between them.

1. Usability and User Interface

EAGLE CAD

EAGLE has the easiest UIs with intuitive schematic editing and layout tools. These tools help beginners design simple to medium-complexity PCBs. However, EAGLE lacks automation, advanced features, and other sophisticated tools. So, professionals for large-scale and intricate designs will struggle to use it.

Altium

Altium fills the heavy-duty lackings of Eagle. It offers a complete professional interface to integrate all the PCB designing stages. This extensive toolset can be challenging to learn at the first stage. However, it will be good to go as soon as you get familiar with its basics. Its enriched customization and automation features will impress experienced designers on large-scale projects.

2. Design Capabilities

EAGLE CAD

EAGLE supports both single- and multilayered PCB design. It has enough design tools for more straightforward layouts and essential component placements. However, its design capabilities are inadequate for highly detailed projects. You will need additional software like Altium for complex designs and intricate routing needs.

Altium

Altium can meet every PCB design need. It includes simple, complex, intricate, and multilayered layouts. It has design features like interactive routing, differential pair routing, constraint manager, etc. So, Altium can ensure precise, professional-grade designs with signal integrity and performance optimization. You can design the most sophisticated PCB with this software.

3. Libraries and Components

EAGLE CAD

It has both pre-installed and out-of-the-box component libraries. You will also get ample worry-free libraries on the website. They contain a lot of pre-designed symbols, footprints, components, 3D models, parts, etc. It can save designers time and effort to a great extent. The libraries are integrated with other open-source platforms. So, users can easily access community-developed components for cost-effectiveness.

Altium

Altium has an embellished component library with a convenient search filter and version control features. This enterprise-grade library ensures efficient management of the components. You can also import components from other open-source software for collaboration. The different types of Altium component libraries are,

  1. Schematic library(model library).
  2. PCB library (stores footprints and 3D models).
  3. Integrated library ( merges Schematic and PCB library).
  4. Database library ( inserts the design components in the data of the company).

4. Simulation and Analysis

eagle-cad-vs-altium

EAGLE CAD

EAGLE offers light simulation tools to verify the basic functionality of the PCB. Advanced features like signal integrity analysis, thermal simulation, and electromagnetic analysis(EMI) are limited. So they can not meet the higher simulation demands of professional-grade PCB design projects.

Altium

Altium offers advanced simulation tools like SPICE simulation, signal integrity analysis, and thermal analysis. These tools help designers identify and lessen potential issues in the early stages. They can also optimize signal performance and reduce heat-related problems. Thus, these robust analysis tools support reliable, intricate designs across industries.

5. Collaboration and Integration

EAGLE CAD

Eagle can seamlessly integrate with Autodesk Fusion 360. It helps mechanical and PCB designers to collaborate efficiently. They can also share design data and make real-time updates to enhance workflow between different design disciplines. However, Eagle’s cloud-based features are more limited than those of higher-end software like Altium.

Altium

Altium offers better collaboration tools. They include cloud-based project sharing, version control, and integration with MCAD software. Thus, it ensures efficient, real-time team design without conflicts. It also ensures seamless communication between multiple design teams. Thus, it enhances team productivity for complex projects.

6. Cost and Accessibility

EAGLE CAD

Eagle offers affordable pricing plans and free versions. It makes it accessible for those with limited budgets. Standard, Education, Enterprise, and Premium are the four varieties of Eagle Premium. It combines cost-effectiveness with essential features. Thus, it can be an excellent choice for small-scale projects and education. 

  • Autodesk provides EAGLE as a bundle syncing with Fusion 360. Free Version is available: (Limited Functionality)
  • Available for 12 months. A full-featured free trial is available for 30 days. Click Here To Get Your Free Trial

Altium

Altium is more expensive because of its smart features and tools. So, it is ideal for large enterprises with big budgets. However, it is worth it for its efficient functionality, scalability, and collaboration features. 

7. Software License 

EAGLE CAD

Eagle has three license types: free, per month, and yearly. The monthly and annual Eagle licensing fees vary. Additionally, the free license has fewer restrictions.

Altium

There is a streamlined Altium license for the most efficient use. Using this method, licenses are given to the right users. There are four types of Altium licenses available. This includes:

  • On-Demand License: After logging in, the client’s computer can get an on-demand license.
  • Standalone License: You can get this license by extracting or copying the licensing files.
  • Viewer License: This allows users to access software without a license. However, you cannot access the license using the dashboard.
  • Private Sector License: This provides remote program installation and license management. 

8. Supported Platforms

EAGLE CAD

  • Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
  • Mac OS (64-bit)
  • Linux Ubuntu (SSE, 8bpp)

Altium

  • Windows Server 2016 Standard Edition (64-bit)
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (64-bit)
  • Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Windows 8 (64-bit)

9. System Requirement

eagle-cad-vs-altium

EAGLE CAD

Windows

  • Operating System: Windows 7 or newer
  • CPU: A 64-bit processor.
  • Memory: 3GB RAM.
  • Internet: DSL connection or faster.
  • Storage: A minimum of 650MB of free space 

Linux

  • Operating System: Intel PC-based Linux with the 2.6 kernel
  • CPU: Needs to support SSE.
  • Graphics: X11, a minimum color depth of 8 bpp.
  • Libraries: libssl.so.1.0.0 and libcrypto.so.1.0
  • Internet: DSL connection or faster.
  • Storage: A minimum of 650MB of free space

Mac

  • Operating system: OS X Yosemite (10.10.x), El Capitan (10.11.x), or MacOS Sierra (10.12).
  • CPU: A 64-bit processor.
  • Memory: 3GB RAM (4GB is suggested).
  • Internet: DSL connection or faster.
  • Storage: A minimum of 650MB of free space

Altium

  • Requirements: Intel Core i5 processor or comparable
  • Screen resolution of 1600×1200 or above.
  • 4GB RAM, 3GB DDR4/DDR5 video memory.
  • 12GB of SSD storage space and an internet connection.
  • Microsoft Excel is required for the BOM.
  • Microsoft Access is required for DbLibs.

Eagle vs. Altium: What’s the Difference?

  • Eagle provides more options for team collaboration and integrated design. It is a better option for hardware-based projects. Altium’s user interface is more reliable and robust for heavy-duty projects.
  • When it comes to cutting-edge features, Altium outperforms Eagle in several areas. It has a higher speed of digital processing.
  • Altium’s design rule checking is also far more reliable than Eagle’s. Altium provides superior wireless frequency accommodation and routing. 
  • Eagle costs less than Altium and provides three separate modes. The free edition also has far fewer constraints.
  • Eagles component library is pretty hard to handle. Altium makes it much easier to manage libraries and create new components.
  • One disadvantage of Altium is that it can only run on Windows. Eagle Premium can run on all operating systems.

Choose Eagle PCB Design Software if

  • You need software for DIY & Hobby Projects. It can help you, particularly for building Arduino-compatible boards or small electronic circuits. Its simplicity, versatility, and cost-effectiveness are perfect for novices and modest projects.
  • You want to teach PCB design concepts in educational settings. Its simple interface and broad library of components help students understand fundamental concepts for hands-on learning in electronics courses. 
  • If you need to prototype simple to medium-complexity PCBs. It allows for rapid iteration and testing. Eagle helps to minimize development time by facilitating a more efficient design process. 

When You Should Choose Altium PCB Design Software?

  • If you are designing complicated, multilayered PCBs for industrial automation, robotics, and control systems. Its powerful routing and simulation tools allow for the production of dependable, efficient systems for industrial contexts.
  • If you are creating high-density boards for smartphones, tablets, wearables, and other consumer devices. Its advanced design tools assure compact, efficient layouts to match the criteria with scalability and cost-effectiveness.
  • If you need precision designs adhering to stringent requirements in the aerospace and automotive industries. Altium PCBs can withstand extreme vibrations, heat, and electromagnetic interference.
  • If you need powerful software to ensure that medical devices meet demanding medical-grade standards. It is essential for applications like diagnostic equipment, patient monitoring systems, and medical implants.

Conclusion

Understanding the similarities and differences of both programs can help you choose the best PCB design software for your projects and workflows. Eagle PCB software is a cost-effective, user-friendly alternative for amateurs, universities, and small businesses. Its integration with Fusion 360 and extensive component libraries make it ideal for rapid prototyping and small-scale projects. 

Altium PCB software dominates the professional market with simulation and improved collaboration features. It is the go-to option for those looking for precision and performance. Finally, the decision comes down to your design requirements, budget, and long-term objectives. 

Who Is EAGLE Best Suited For?

EAGLE software is best for electronics enthusiasts, hobbyists, students, and more. It can give a good balance of beginner-friendly features and advanced capabilities. The free tier is ideal for learning and prototyping. The paid options are appropriate for more complex commercial projects. 

Who Is Altium Best Suited For?

Altium is best suited for professional electronics engineers and PCB designers. It is perfect for big companies that require a comprehensive set of features for high-speed design. It has robust functionality and collaborative features. So, it is ideal for teams working on intricate electronic products across various industries.

Is Altium better than Eagle?

Altium is “better” than Eagle for most PCB design requirements. Because it has advanced features, robust layout tools, and better signal integrity analysis for larger teams. However, Eagle can be more user-friendly for simpler designs. People prefer it for its lower cost and more accessible free version.

Is the Autodesk EAGLE being discontinued?

As of June 7, 2026, Autodesk will no longer sell or support EAGLE. To access the electronics workspace, subscribe to Autodesk Fusion.

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