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QElectroTech
What it is
QElectroTech is free desktop software for creating complex industrial electrical diagrams. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and project files can be edited across those supported systems without conversion or restriction. Its symbol collection contains over 8,000 items, including electrical, logic, pneumatic, hydraulic, and fluid symbols. Users can place elements by drag and drop; conductors connect aligned elements automatically, and linked elements can display cross references that update with the project. An embedded editor supports creating custom symbols and other elements for a user collection. The software is intended for electrical mapping, including electrical and power electronics diagrams, and can also be used for plumbing, geothermal, air-conditioning, hydraulics, pneumatics, home automation, PID, and photovoltaic diagrams. Projects can be printed or saved as PDF, and drawings exported as SVG, PNG, JPG, or BMP. Element information can be exported to CSV for spreadsheet-based parts lists. QElectroTech supports DXF but not native DWG, and it does not perform simulation or calculations. It is GNU/GPL software with no licensing fees.
For and against
For
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Includes a collection of over 8,000 symbols
- Exports drawings as SVG, PNG, JPG, or BMP
- Exports element information to CSV for parts lists
Against
- Does not perform simulation or calculations
- Does not support native DWG
- Desktop software only
The verdict
QElectroTech provides diagramming tools, a large symbol collection, and several export formats at no licensing cost. Its stated scope excludes simulation and calculations.
Who it suits
QElectroTech suits people creating electrical or related technical diagrams on desktop systems. It is for mapping rather than simulation or calculation.
Plans and prices
Free
Zero cost · no licensing fees · GNU/GPL
Read 4 Oct 2026 · qelectrotech.org
On the record
- Audience
- The project’s presentation describes QElectroTech as intended for electrical mapping, including electrical and power electronics diagrams, and says it does not perform simulation or calculations.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Custom elements
- An embedded element editor lets users create their own symbols or other elements and store them in a user collection.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Documentation and export
- Projects can be printed or saved as PDF, and drawings can be exported as SVG, PNG, JPG or BMP images.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Drawing tools
- Elements can be added by drag and drop, conductors connect aligned elements automatically, and linked elements can display automatically updated cross references.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- File compatibility
- The maker says files created on one of its supported desktop operating systems can be edited on another without conversion or restriction.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations and utilities
- The download page lists a Python terminal block generator plugin and tools for converting DXF files into QElectroTech element files.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- License and privacy
- QElectroTech is GNU/GPL software; its features page says it has no licensing fees and describes it as avoiding privacy violations and dependence on a company.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Other diagram types
- The maker says it can also be used for plumbing, geothermal, air-conditioning, hydraulics, pneumatics, home automation, PID and photovoltaic diagrams.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Parts lists
- Project element information can be exported to CSV for editing in a spreadsheet and making a parts list or bill of materials.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Project history
- The project’s presentation says its earliest experiments began in October 2006.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- QElectroTech is free software for creating complex industrial electrical diagrams.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs people with questions to its forum and also lists a dedicated IRC channel.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Symbol library
- The home page says the collection contains over 8,000 symbols, while the features page describes electrical, logic, pneumatic, hydraulic and fluid symbols.qelectrotech.org · read 4 Oct 2026