DesignSpark PCB
RS Group PCB software with a free Explorer plan and paid Creator and Engineer tiers
Summary table
| Company | RS Components Limited |
|---|---|
| Category | PCB Design Software |
| Headquarters | Corby, United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom |
| Data Location | not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Desktop software download |
| Main Features | Unlimited layers and schematic sheets, Gerber and Excellon output, design rule checks, SnapEDA library, differential pairs, blind and buried vias |
| Pricing | Explorer free; Creator and Engineer billed per month, yearly, with 7-day free trial (amounts not shown in the text we read); Enterprise by quote |
| Best For | Engineers and students who want a free entry plan with unlimited layers from a UK distributor |
| Replaces | Altium Designer, Autodesk EAGLE |
Full review
DesignSpark PCB is a PCB drawing and design package published through the DesignSpark site of RS Components Limited, Birchington Road, Corby, Northants NN17 9RS, United Kingdom. The vendor says it is built for engineers at every level.
The software is offered in three subscription levels named Explorer, Creator and Engineer, plus an Enterprise route for teams. The vendor states that all plans have no limits on layers, connections or schematic size.
Which DesignSpark PCB plan do you need?
The Explorer plan is free and includes unlimited schematic sheets and PCB layers, Gerber and Excellon output, Bill of Materials reports and a design rules checker.
The Creator plan adds a Bill of Materials composer, library export and import and the SnapEDA library integration. The Engineer plan adds blind and buried vias, hierarchical schematics, differential pairs and serpentine routing.
What is new in DesignSpark PCB version 13?
DesignSpark PCB version 13 adds serpentine routing, an Archimedean spiral generator for antenna designs and an interactive BOM exporter. The vendor also lists GPU-enhanced graphics.
The vendor says the software is trusted by 1.4 million engineers. We could not check that figure on the pages we read.
DesignSpark PCB as a European alternative to Altium Designer
DesignSpark PCB offers a free layer-unlimited entry point where Altium Designer sells subscriptions. The contracting company is RS Components Limited in the UK.
Enterprise customers can request a quote for several seats, with team management of licences.
Known limits
The pricing page we read shows no amounts for Creator and Engineer, so the monthly cost cannot be compared with Altium Designer. High-speed features such as differential pairs sit in the top tier only. Operating systems and data location are not stated on the pages we read. For a free tool with no tiers, look at LibrePCB.
Is DesignSpark PCB right for you?
Students, makers and small engineering teams that want to start free and move to a paid tier only when they need advanced routing.
What works, what does not
Pros
- Free Explorer plan with unlimited layers
- Integrated SnapEDA library access in paid plans
- Gerber and Excellon output in every plan
- Free 7-day trial of paid tiers
- Enterprise quotes for multi-seat teams
Cons
- Prices for paid tiers not shown in the text we read
- Blind and buried vias only in the top plan
- Platform support not stated on the pages we read
- Part of a distributor's software offer, not a stand-alone vendor
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free Explorer plan with unlimited layers
- Integrated SnapEDA library access in paid plans
- Gerber and Excellon output in every plan
- Free 7-day trial of paid tiers
- Enterprise quotes for multi-seat teams
Cons
- Prices for paid tiers not shown in the text we read
- Blind and buried vias only in the top plan
- Platform support not stated on the pages we read
- Part of a distributor's software offer, not a stand-alone vendor
Alternatives to DesignSpark PCB
Alternatives from Europe in the pcb design software group:
See all European pcb design software or compare them directly against Altium Designer on our alternatives page.
FAQ
Yes, the Explorer plan is free and includes unlimited layers and schematic sheets. Creator and Engineer are paid subscriptions with a 7-day trial.
RS Components Limited of Corby, United Kingdom, publishes DesignSpark PCB through its DesignSpark site.
Yes, in the Engineer plan. The same plan lists blind and buried vias and hierarchical schematics.