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jojoNovember - 6 - 201131 Comments

Hello friends,

I hope you all got benefited with our previous article on Electronic circuit drawing softwares .

Today we are bringing you a great collection of circuit simulators which are at the same time can be used for circuitdrawing, circuit design and analysis as well. The list is well structured as free circuit simulation softwares, open sourcecircuit analysis and simulation software, simple and easy to use simulators, linux based simulator, windows basedsimulator etc. Finally after researching through all the list we have compiled a collection best circuit simulation softwaresas well. So lets start our journey right below.

Free and Open source circuit simulator software list:-

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NgSpice one of the popular and widely used free, open source circuit simulator from Sourceforge. NgSpice isdeveloped by a collective effort from its users and its code is based on 3 open source software packages:- known as:-Spice3f5 , Cider and Xspice. Ngspice is a part of gEDA project which is growing every day with suggestions from itsusers, development from its contributors, fixing bugs and approaching perfection. As its a collaborative project you cansuggest improvement of the circuit simulator and be a part of the development team.

GnuCap - is another open source project, developed as a general purpose circuit simulator. Known widely as GNUCircuit analysis package, this linux based circuit simulator performs various circuit analysis functions as dc and transientanalysis, ac analysis etc. Developers have incorporated spice compatible model for MOSFET, BJT and Diode.

CircuitLogix - this student version software from CircuitLogix enables you to perform analog, digital and mixed modecircuit analysis and simulation. This SPICE simulation software provides 4000 devices on its student version which is 1/3of the pro version. This circuit building software give access to switches, linear IC and digital IC, FET, Transistors, relays,displays, signal generators, SCRs, opto isolators, photo diodes, semiconductors, motors etc.

LTSpice is a widely popular SPICE simulator from Linear. LTspice is a free circuit simulation tool from LinearTechnology corporation. This simulation software is considered as one of the best freeware available. Highlight ofLTspice is much fast simulation of switching regulators with enhanced SPICE (compared to normal SPICEsimulators).LTspice gives access to over 200 op amp models, transistor models, MOSFET models etc. A highdisadvantage of LTspice is its proprietary code base which is licensed by Linear Technology. Had they made it opensource, LTspice could have gone places with collaborative development.

Note: LTSpice is considered as the BEST circuit simulation software available by users.

MultiSim is a student version circuit simulation software from National instruments. As you know, student versionsalways comes with limited access. Still this is a great simulation tool for beginners in electronics. MultiSim, the circuitmaker software enables you to capture circuits, create layouts, analyse circuits and simulation. Highlight features includeexploring breadboard in 3D before lab assignment submission, create printed circuit boards (PCB) etc. Breadboardsimulation is possible with Multisim circuit simulator.

TopSpice - this is a demo version circuit simulator from Penzar. This electronic simulation tool is tailored to work withWindows only and its is compatible for Windows XP/Vista/7. TopSpice is a mixed mode mixed signaldigital,analog, behavioral simulation software. It offers both Pspice and Hspice compatible simulation of circuits.

Circuit Simulator 1.5j - is a freeware circuit simulation tool. I have not used this tool or even attempted a try. I add thisas a suggestion from a user in our forum. I think this is just basic tool with very basic functions, created for starterpurpose. Use at your own risk.

MacSpice - is a free circuit simulation software for Apple Macintosh users. This circuit simulation which is compatiblefor PowerPC and Intel architecture Apple Macintosh (MAC pc) computers is derived from Berkeley Spice 3f5 . Thisbreadboard simulator can perform simulation ranging from a single resistor to an integrated circuit with thousands ofdevices and components packed together.

5Spice is a free analog circuit analysis and simulator with many great features which includes a user expandable libraryof Spice/Pspice models, save any number of analysis results, integrated graphing of simulation results, student levelMOSFET IC design etc. The focus is emphasized on analog circuit analysis and design at component level. 5Spice ismainly designed for students and educators, rather than industry professionals. Latest version of 5spice is released onOctober 31st 2001 v 1.65.

Beige Bag - is a demo version of the original paid version of Beige Bag circuit simulation software. Developed based onB2 Spice, this software is mixed mode, power packed, fast and easy to use. Well try the demo version before you decideto buy.

Micro-Cap 10 - is another demo version circuit analyzer and simulator from Spectrum Soft. As they claim its a mixedmode digital/analog circuit simulator with an intuitive user interface, fast simulation and great performance. I havent

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tried this yet, so if you are interested try your own.

PECS - is a free power electronics circuit simulator created by Richard Tymerski. You can download the various manualsand tutorials from the website before start using the simulation tool.

Proteus - Prospice is a mixed mode, Spice based simulation tool from LabCenter. They have two versions, basic andadvanced. Basic version is free which supports interactive simulation only while advanced supports a range of usefulfunctions and features like graph based analysis which includes frequency, noise, distortion, fourier parameters etc.

QUCS - Quite Universal Circuit Simulator is a free simulation software developed on GNU/Linux environment. Well thissoftware really works on other operating systems such as Solaris, Apple Macintosh, Microsoft windows, FreeBSD,NetBSD etc. User can simulate large signal, small signal and noise behavior of the circuit using this simple circuitsimulator.

Solve Elec - is an electrical circuit simulator (free version) which is developed for Macintosh OS and Windows. It enablesusers to draw and analyse circuits (both electrical and electronic) functioning in direct current or alternating current, getformulas, verify equations, get equivalent circuits etc.

XSpice - is developed as an extension to Spice 3 by Georgia Institute of Technology. It has code modelling feature whichenables user to add new models.

Okay! So far we have listed 16 free version circuit simulators, some of which are open source, some are licensed but free,some are demo/ student versions etc. And we have atleast one simulator for each and every operating system out there inthe market. If you know some other free simulation software/tool, thats so great, please share it as comments.

Now lets have a look at some enterprise circuit modelling software in the market.

Best Licensed/Paid Circuit simulation software:

PSPICE is a mixed signal, industry standard circuit simulator. This software is used by many professionals forelectronic system design and development. Orcad, the printed circuit board (PCB) design software is developed by thesame company, Cadence.

MultiSim- is a great simulation software from National Instruments for electronic design engineers, academicprofessionals and educators, colleges, students, universities and professionals. Highlight features of this software arewritten above (under free resources).

SiMetrix is a circuit simulation tool with enhanced Spice specifically developed for Professional electronic designengineers. They have other products like Simplis, Micron VX, DVM etc.

TINA - is an affordable, cost effective circuit design and simulation software, yet very powerful in features and functions.You can buy a basic version of TINA design suite 9.3 for as low as 90 Euros and a classic version (suited for professionaldesign engineers) is available from 600 Euros.

PowerSim is a simulation software developed for power electronics circuits, motor control and other requirements likedynamic system simulation.

Please share (as comments) if you know some other good circuit simulation software that I have not listed here.

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31 Responses to Electronic circuit design and simulation software list

Art Lahman says:February 22, 2014 at 1:42 pm

Im looking to buy a program for a 8 pin relay would work in a system. I hope that I have found the right page for it,if you would please get back to me and let me know if this the right one.

Thank You

Art

ReplyMichael says:December 15, 2013 at 8:22 am

hello hy is very good

Replysarah says:October 23, 2013 at 3:46 am

What software did they use for the circuit simulation of the picture below, thanks in advancehttp://easyelectronics.weebly.com/uploads/2/1/9/2/21922620/697490_orig.png

ReplySamir says:July 16, 2013 at 1:18 am

Here is a free one, loved by students in schools for its simplicity: http://www.dcaclab.com/en/lab

ReplyBasil says:May 28, 2013 at 3:25 am

i need a simulator that has 4047 IC or better still tell me if i can replace 4047 with another IC, because im usinglivewire but cant find 4047

ReplyAblai says:April 26, 2013 at 2:08 am

Does anyone know what circuit simulator this website uses for making their circuit diagrams.

ReplyNigelt says:April 18, 2013 at 10:38 am

For those looking to download the software used in the graphic at the top of the page it is here:

http://www.filecart.com/basic-electrical-troubleshooting

only click on the rotating clog to avoid being redirect elsewhere.

ReplyNigelt says:

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April 18, 2013 at 10:24 am

Hi, What is the software used to create the circuit-simulator images at the top of you page? Others also haverequested it.

Replyaanya says:February 14, 2013 at 9:22 am

i want a simulator for fm tranmitterwhich 1 shud i use..???

ReplyShaikh Masood Alam says:March 8, 2013 at 4:36 am

great list of software which is required in circuit making and simulation

Replyphil says:December 25, 2012 at 5:38 am

well student versions are 15 days trial so wtf am i suposed to do with these, honestly

besides, the picture you used does not correspond to any software (?)looks more like a video game

Replyparsa from iran says:December 5, 2012 at 2:43 am

Hi im 11 years old and I LOVE electronics and i have a question how to download this app?

ReplyPaul says:November 22, 2012 at 3:35 pm

The picture of the Circuit Simulator seems to be very interesting. Could you tell me more about this Simulator. Isthere a real piece of software that does this function?

ReplySam says:October 15, 2012 at 12:04 am

Look at Visual Spice Advanced at http://www.islandlogix.com.$398.00 .right now $300.00 off . Just $98.00.

I have been using it for about 4 months. I like it.

You can download and try before you buy.==================================== Dedicated to providing quality software for the engineering community

Free DownloadSpecialsLimited Time

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Holiday Sale!Save $300 offTop Of The LineVisualSpiceAdvanced!Only $98

VisualSpice Schematic Editor and Mixed Mode Simulation

VisualSpice is a completely integrated 32-bit analog, digital, mixed signal schematic design and circuit simulationprogram, sporting the SAME or more advanced features at a fraction of the cost of other simulators. VisualSpiceallows you to quickly and easily capture your schematic designs, perform your simulation, and analyze the resultsusing our powerful signal processor and waveform viewer. You can customize almost everything in the designenvironment, and easily search for, find, select, and categorize, from over 25,000 device models (50,000 parts inEDA version). Our popular Control Panel allows you to quickly enter component parameters with a single click,and to design waveforms using our graphical signal generator waveform editor, before spending time doing asimulation.

ReplyTonny Christiansen says:October 13, 2012 at 3:26 am

Thank you very much!

You have saved us for a long tiresome search for a decent free circuit simulater.

Im used to work with the expensive professionel CAD/simulater packages (Orcad and Pads) and Im gratefull foryou qualified help in finding what comes closest to replacing these.

ReplyDeb says:October 4, 2012 at 5:40 am

I think you should add http://www.DoCircuits.com as well. With the advent of cloud and mobile devices, they aretrying to bring simulation on the browser. They are still early but the direction looks promising.

ReplyKen Elhardt says:September 19, 2012 at 10:34 pm

Noticed you have TINA listed in the paid section, and while thats true for some versions of it, you can download afree scaled down version of it on the Texas website at the link below. Ive installed it, played with it and it workswell and provides a lot of devices. Microsoft Windows only though.

http://www.ti.com/tool/tina-ti

ReplyAlexei Smirnov says:June 15, 2012 at 1:42 pm

You asked to share? Here you are,. Analog simulators with ideal components, not a SPICE:http://ic.sidelinesoft.com simple and freehttp://nl5.sidelinesoft.com free demo and students

ReplyVisionics says:

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May 31, 2012 at 1:06 am

EDWinXP is a circuit simulation software

Replyrajesh says:May 16, 2012 at 6:53 am

i need more list of software used in electrical and electronicsplease send me reply

Replyanshul garg says:February 25, 2012 at 7:45 am

sir, can you give me the circuit diagram with used components with details of 32 GB computer pendrive for free

Replyanshul garg says:February 25, 2012 at 7:40 am

sir, can you give me the circuit diagram with used components with details of 32 GB computer usb pendrive forfree

ReplyChandan Khanal says:December 25, 2011 at 8:13 pm

I think Altium is one most top simulator.

ReplyRakesh says:November 10, 2011 at 6:43 pm

Thanks for the List. Its really Helpful.

ReplyCarl says:November 10, 2011 at 5:47 pm

Great List! One suggestion I have for Best Licensed/Paid Circuit Simulation Software would be for CircuitLogixPro (www.circuitlogix.com). I have used this product for many years and I think it is one of the best products on themarket. It has excellent mixed-mode simulation capabilities and over 10,000 devices and models.

ReplyHow to test the circuits!!! says:November 8, 2011 at 9:21 am

[...] You can use circuit simulator software. List of Circuit design / analysis / simulation software Free CircuitSimulator-Circuit Design and Simulation Software List Top Ten:Circuit simulators Top Ten:Circuit simulators |Mixed-Signal Electronics Circuit [...]

ReplyKarcsi says:November 8, 2011 at 2:57 am

Hello!

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Good software list!

what software can be seen at the following link?(this appear top on this page)

http://www.circuitstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/circuit-simulator.jpg

Thank you this post and the reply!

Replyjojo says:November 8, 2011 at 3:03 am

Hello Karcis,

thats just an image and thanks for the comment

please share it with your friends.

Replyelectronics-learner says:September 3, 2012 at 10:44 pm

what software was being used in the image above?

ReplyNilava says:January 5, 2013 at 11:16 pm

ya could u please tell me what the software is in the image

ReplyFrancisco says:March 11, 2013 at 4:50 pm

what software was being used in the image above?

Reply

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