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LibrePCB
What it is
LibrePCB is free, open-source electronic design automation software for drawing schematics and designing printed circuit boards. Its desktop applications run on Linux, macOS, and Windows and can work fully offline without an online account. The schematic editor supports multi-page designs, live electrical rule checking, and automatic forward annotation to the board editor. Board tools include design rule checking, a live 3D viewer, and multi-layer PCB support with blind and buried vias. Users can import EAGLE projects and DXF files, then export Gerber, Excellon, CSV BOM, STEP, PDF, or SVG output. An integrated library manager handles official libraries, while personal libraries can also be used. Projects and libraries use human-readable canonical text files intended to clarify version-control changes, and projects include their required library items and settings. Users may order boards through LibrePCB Fab or export production files themselves. The software is published under GPLv3 and is positioned for makers, students, and professionals.
For and against
For
- Free with no listed restrictions or costs
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Supports multi-page schematics and rule checking
- Includes live 3D and multi-layer board design
- Works offline without an online account
Against
- Developer support is not free
- Windows binaries require 64-bit Windows 10 or later
- macOS binaries require macOS 10.14 or later
- It is desktop software rather than web-based
The verdict
LibrePCB covers schematic capture, PCB layout, libraries, checking, visualization, and manufacturing outputs without a subscription. Its offline operation, GPLv3 code, and cross-platform desktop support make it suitable for independent project workflows.
Who it suits
It suits makers, students, and professional designers, from beginners to experts, who want desktop PCB design on Linux, macOS, or Windows. Offline work and self-contained projects also suit users managing their own files.
Plans and prices
Free
No restrictions · No limitations · No online account
Read 15 Oct 2026 · librepcb.org
LibrePCB
No restrictions · No online account · Windows, macOS, Linux
Read 8 Oct 2026 · librepcb.org
On the record
- API
- Developer documentation specifies a versioned JSON server API for online library resources and fabrication uploads.developers.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes it as suitable for makers, students and professionals, from beginners to experts.librepcb.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Board editor
- The board editor supports multilayer boards with blind and buried vias, design-rule checking, a live 3D viewer, DXF and EAGLE import, board branching and footprint switching.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Board tools
- The board editor includes design rule checking, a live 3D viewer, and multi-layer PCB support including blind and buried vias.librepcb.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- CLI automation
- The librepcb-cli command-line tool automates ERC, DRC and production exports for CI workflows.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- CLI limitation
- On headless Linux, librepcb-cli currently needs an X server or xvfb plus several graphical-library dependencies.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company status
- The FAQ says no company operates LibrePCB; it is an open-source project coordinated by its founder and community contributors.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Developer documentation
- Developer docs cover building, architecture, coding style, Slint UI, release workflow, file-format specifications, workspace/library/project specifications, server API and a Rust core crate.developers.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Download requirements
- The download page lists 64-bit Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.14 or later requirements for its binaries.librepcb.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Fabrication integration
- LibrePCB Fab accepts projects for ordering through AISLER, PCBWay or NextPCB, while normal production-file export remains available.fab.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- File format
- Project files use human-readable canonical S-expressions designed to produce small, stable version-control diffs.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Founder
- The project was started in 2013 by founder and lead developer Urban Bruhin, an electrical engineer from Switzerland.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Imports and exports
- The editors list EAGLE project import, and the board editor also lists DXF import; output jobs support formats including Gerber, Excellon, CSV BOM, STEP, PDF and SVG.librepcb.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Independent listing
- SaaSHub shows LibrePCB as open source and reports zero user reviews.saashub.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Languages
- LibrePCB is available in 15 languages, although translation completeness differs by language.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Library editor
- The library editor provides live rule checks, DXF and EAGLE import, and PDF, SVG and raster export.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Library management
- Libraries are separate from the application, can be installed or updated through an integrated manager, and can be managed with version-control systems.librepcb.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Library manager
- Users can install and update official libraries through the integrated manager, or use their own libraries or a mix of both.librepcb.org · read 8 Oct 2026