ProfiCAD

ProfiCAD is desktop software for creating electrical and electronic diagrams, schematics, control circuits, and technical drawings such as pneumatic and hydraulic diagrams. It can generate bills of materials, wire lists, terminal lists, and cable lists. The program includes more than 2,000 symbols and an editor for custom symbols, alongside automatic symbol numbering, symbol search and insertion, and cross-references between wires and component symbols. Users can adapt or create ISO 7200 title blocks. ProfiCAD is designed for Windows; the maker says it can run on Mac using Parallels. ProfiCAD Viewer lets Android users view drawings, though it does not display cross-references. The program works offline, and drawings stay on the user's computer. It is not intended for PCB layout, 3D modeling, complex CAD, or full DWG/DXF editing. The free Home edition allows up to three pages, with commercial use limited to viewing, opening, and printing third-party documents. A 30-day full-feature trial is available without a credit card; paid licenses start at $277, excluding tax.

ProfiCAD focuses on electrical and technical diagrams, with reporting and symbol tools for this work. Check the Home edition's limits and the viewer's missing cross-references if those matter to your workflow.

ProfiCAD may suit electrical engineers, electricians, panel builders, technicians, schools, and hobbyists who need electrical or related technical diagrams. Its limits make it a poor fit for PCB layout, 3D modeling, or complex CAD work.

Overview

ProfiCAD is a specialist desktop tool for electrical and technical diagrams, with companion viewing on Android. It is best suited to electrical professionals, small teams, schools and hobbyists who need schematic documentation rather than broad-purpose CAD. Its reporting and symbol tools make it a focused choice, provided the Home edition’s page and commercial-use limits fit your work.

Key features

ProfiCAD covers electrical and electronic schematics, control circuits, and pneumatic and hydraulic diagrams. Its library of more than 2,000 symbols, custom-symbol editor and search give users a substantial starting point; automatic insertion and numbering help keep drawings organized. Cross-references connect wires and component symbols, while adaptable ISO 7200 title blocks support consistent documentation.

Built-in bills of materials, wire lists, terminal lists and cable lists make the software useful beyond drawing: teams can produce supporting records from their diagrams. It works offline and keeps drawings on the user's computer. DXF support and batch printing are practical additions, but there is no native DWG support or PDF underlay. ProfiCAD is not intended for PCB layout, 3D modeling, complex CAD or full-featured DWG/DXF editing, so it is a poor fit when those are central to the job.

The Windows desktop program can run on Mac using Parallels. ProfiCAD Viewer displays drawings on Android, with files transferred by Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive or email. The viewer does not display cross-references, so it is less useful for checking the full schematic structure on a phone.

Pricing

The 30-day trial costs nothing and includes full features without a credit card. It is a sensible way to assess the desktop workflow before committing. The Home license is free for non-commercial use, capped at three pages. Commercial use is limited to opening, viewing and printing third-party documents; creating or modifying diagrams commercially requires a paid license.

The Single User License costs $277, paid once, excluding tax. It permits one computer at work and one at home within the purchasing organization and is permanent, making it the straightforward option for an individual professional. The School License also costs $277, paid once, excluding tax, and covers all school computers plus students’ and employees’ private computers. The Site License costs $827, paid once, excluding tax, and covers all company computers, including employees’ private computers. The broader licenses suit institutions and companies that need multiple installations; the Home edition is not a commercial production license.

Platforms

The primary platform is desktop, with the drawing program for Windows and Mac use through Parallels. Android is supported through the Viewer, not the full desktop drawing application. ProfiCAD works offline, and its drawings remain on the user's computer. The maker says it encrypts its computers and performs regular data backups; its website uses Google Analytics and cookies.

Who it's for

Electrical engineers, electricians, panel builders and technicians can benefit from the specialized symbols, cross-references and generated lists. Small and medium teams may find the reporting useful for sharing project documentation, while schools can use the multi-computer license. Hobbyists can work within the free Home edition’s three-page cap. For broader engineering design or commercial work that exceeds that cap, the relevant paid license is essential.

Pros and cons

• Pros: More than 2,000 symbols, custom-symbol editing, automatic numbering and cross-references support focused schematic work.
• Pros: Generated materials and wiring lists reduce the need to assemble those records separately.
• Pros: Offline operation, batch printing and permanent paid licenses suit users who prefer local work and one-time licensing.
• Cons: The free Home edition is limited to three pages and sharply restricts commercial use.
• Cons: The Android viewer omits cross-references, and it is not a full mobile authoring option.
• Cons: No native DWG support or PDF underlay, and the software is not built for PCB, 3D or complex CAD work.

Alternatives

For broader 2D drafting, browse 2D CAD Software; for other specialist electrical tools, see Electrical Design Software.

Trimble Viewpoint Vista is worth considering when you need a cloud-hosted or on-premises deployment and a wider platform mix; its pricing is by sales contact. SKM Power*Tools may suit readers seeking a paid power-tools option with mobile apps, though full mobile functionality requires a MySKM Cloud subscription. AutoCAD is a paid alternative with Windows, Mac, web and mobile platforms for readers whose work calls for a broader CAD tool. ETAP is another paid option for readers evaluating power simulation software. Siemens Building X offers application or API subscriptions for readers seeking that platform instead. iCircuit is a paid alternative available on desktop and mobile. LabVIEW is worth a look for readers seeking a platform with a free community edition and trial. KDE Keysmith is another alternative.

Verdict

Choose ProfiCAD if your work centers on electrical or technical diagrams and you value built-in symbol management, cross-references and generated documentation, with offline desktop use. The permanent licenses and school and site options make it workable for organizations as well as individuals. Look elsewhere if you need PCB design, 3D or complex CAD, native DWG support, or a mobile viewer that preserves cross-references.