Best free or low-cost circuit simulation tools

[Alan]

Have you ever found yourself sketching a design and wishing you could test it out without the risk of burning parts or wasting time? Perhaps you’ve experimented with a few free tools before, or discovered one that really enhanced your workflow.

What software has been your go-to for testing designs efficiently without breaking the bank? We’d love to hear about your favorite circuit simulators and what makes them so effective for you!

 

[OhmMy]

I began by drawing circuits on paper and then gave LTspice a shot. It stopped me from burning out parts a bunch of times it's a super useful and free way to learn the basics.

 

[Circuitsmith]

When I was playing around with LED boards, I used Falstad’s online simulator. It's straightforward and visual and helped me spot errors before I started soldering. If you're just starting out, it’s worth a look.

 

[cuts&circuits]

I recall putting together a small power supply and wasting parts since I didn't do any simulation. After that, I started using KiCad with its built in features. Testing things out virtually gave me confidence and kept me from wasting time plus money.

 

[oldgeek]

I ahve used LTspice occasionally. Frankly, I do simulations so infrequently that I find it easier and much less time consuming just to build the thing and debug it. With cheapo board fabs selling us pcb for 50 cents a board (plus $27 shipping), even moderate confidence in a design often makes it practical to go from design direct to pcb.

 

[Alan]

Yeah, sometimes it's just quicker to build something and see if it works. Nothing beats getting your hands dirty to fix problems yourself.