diff --git a/content/help/compare/index.adoc b/content/help/compare/index.adoc new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a94af9 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/help/compare/index.adoc @@ -0,0 +1,104 @@ +--- +title: "Comparison With Other Tools" +linkTitle: "Compare" +icon: "fa-solid fa-greater-than-equal" +weight: 20 +url: /compare +--- + +Of course people compare LibrePCB to other EDA tools, especially Eagle and +KiCad. To help you deciding which EDA tool is best for your needs, here a short +overview about the differences between LibrePCB and other EDA tools. + + +== Library Concept + +One major advantage of LibrePCB is the powerful library concept. See +https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu-h5y6tK34[this talk at FOSDEM] (slides +https://archive.fosdem.org/2018/schedule/event/cad_librepcb/attachments/slides/2267/export/events/attachments/cad_librepcb/slides/2267/librepcb_slides.pdf[here]) +for details. + + +== LibrePCB vs. Eagle + +- LibrePCB is still actively developed 😉 +- LibrePCB is free of charge -- without limitations, even for commercial usage +- LibrePCB has an integrated + link:{{< relref "features/library-management/index.adoc" >}}[library manager], + thus it's much easier to install and update libraries +- LibrePCB library and project files are + link:{{< relref "features/file-format/index.adoc" >}}[better suited for version control] +- The schematic- and board editors of Eagle are currently more powerful + (LibrePCB does not yet support hierarchical sheets, buses and more) + + +== LibrePCB vs. KiCad + +**Library management with LibrePCB is much easier:** + +- Easy-to-use + link:{{< relref "features/library-management/index.adoc" >}}[library manager] + to install and update libraries -- no knowledge about Git needed +- LibrePCB does not bundle (possibly outdated or low-quality) libraries together + with the application -- you have the full control over libraries, and get + updated libraries immediately +- No broken references -- you can rename symbols, footprints, pins, pads etc. + without breaking other elements or projects +- LibrePCB organizes parts by + link:{{< relref "features/schematic-editor/index.adoc" >}}[hierarchical categories], + thus it's easier and more intuitive to find the part you're looking for +- No broken projects caused by updated or removed libraries -- LibrePCB projects + are link:{{< relref "features/file-format/index.adoc" >}}[self-contained] and + completely independent of system libraries +- No configuration (e.g. file paths) needed at all, leading to a consistent + organization for all users + +**Version control of LibrePCB files is more fun:** + +- All files of LibrePCB projects and libraries are + link:{{< relref "features/file-format/index.adoc" >}}[highly optimized for version control systems] +- User-related settings are strictly separated from project-related settings so + you don't commit annoying, useless changes (like your zoom level or canvas + position) +- LibrePCB has a canonical file format -- if you save a project without making + relevant changes, no files are modified at all + +**Netlist synchronization is easier with LibrePCB:** + +- Schematics and board work on the same netlist, so they are always in sync -- no + manual forward/backward annotation is needed +- You never have to worry about the pinout of components -- LibrePCB stores all + connections between symbol pins and footprint pads in the library + +**LibrePCB generates highly accurate production data:** + +- Our libraries already contain MPNs, which are automatically exported to the + BOM -- no manual, non-standardized MPN specification with properties needed +- We support highly flexible + link:{{< relref "features/schematic-editor/index.adoc" >}}[assembly variants] + -- no need to manually copy & edit BOMs + +**LibrePCB saves a lot of time:** + +- LibrePCB is more intuitive and self-explaining, so you don't waste time + with reading documentation or following tutorials +- Generating production data and ordering PCBs is much easier and faster + thanks to link:{{< relref "features/output-jobs/index.adoc" >}}[output jobs] + and + link:{{< relref "features/fabrication-service/index.adoc" >}}[fabriaction service] +- The link:{{< relref "features/schematic-editor/index.adoc" >}}[schematic editor] + provides you live part information (livecycle status, availability, price) + so you don't accidentally use obsolete or expensive parts + +**BUT:** + +Although LibrePCB has many cool advantages, KiCad is (currently) more powerful. +It has an amazing amount of features which allow to design very complex PCBs. +LibrePCB is still a rather young software with very limited financial resources +and thus lacks many features needed to design complex PCBs. + +Also our libraries are not yet as extensive as the KiCad libraries. + +So, if you are looking for an intuitive EDA tool to quickly design a PCB, +you should give LibrePCB a try. But if you want to design very complex PCBs, +LibrePCB is probably not (yet) the tool you are looking for. diff --git a/content/help/faq/index.adoc b/content/help/faq/index.adoc index 60f2b36..a1a31e8 100644 --- a/content/help/faq/index.adoc +++ b/content/help/faq/index.adoc @@ -3,9 +3,8 @@ title: "Frequently Asked Questions" linkTitle: "FAQ" icon: "fa-solid fa-circle-question" showToc: true -weight: 20 +weight: 30 url: /faq -aliases: /compare --- [#why-should-i-use-librepcb] @@ -23,6 +22,9 @@ aliases: /compare * ...and many more things. Check out the link:../features/[feature pages] for more details. +See also +link:{{< relref "help/compare/index.adoc" >}}[this comparison with other tools]. + [#why-another-eda-tool] === Why another EDA tool? Why not contributing to tool _XYZ_?