Best Free Circuit Simulator: The Best 13 Simulator Software

July 25, 2024
by Emma Lu
Circuit Simulator

As the name suggests, a circuit simulator simulates/imitates electronic devices or circuits’ behavior. They are often applicable in virtual analysis, drawing circuits, and circuit design on a computer. 

Besides being quick and cost-effective, an online simulator makes simulating a circuit more practical than when you physically build it. 

After thoroughly researching the best free online simulators, we settled on the 13 software simulators we will briefly enlighten you on.

Not only do they have a graphical waveform viewer and photodiodes, but they can also possess schematic editors and support resistors.

The Best 13 Free Circuit Simulator 

Below is a list of the 13 best circuit simulator software you should try. 

1. EasyEDA

EasyEDA

EasyEDA is a cloud-based circuit simulation tool that incorporates features such as a mixed-mode circuit signal, enhanced schematic capture, and efficient PCB layout

Moreover, it serves many people, such as hobbyists, electronic engineers, and even students. 

EasyEDA download.

Advantages 

  • First and foremost, it is free.
  • Then, you don’t have to go through a hustle when designing a circuit since it is user-friendly. 
  • Also, it has several special features for the simulation of circuits. Therefore, it makes the simulator a high-quality circuit/PCB design choice.
  • Further, it is continuously growing and currently has a large community. 
  • And it is very powerful.

Disadvantage 

  • Unfortunately, if you aren’t familiar with this site, you might find difficulties maneuvering through it. It is, therefore, advisable to follow the guide. 

2. LT Spice Simulator 

LT Spice Simulator 

An LTspice simulator is one of Linear’s (Linear Technology Corporation) free circuit simulation tools. As a reputable company, LTspice is undoubtedly among the best free online simulators.

A couple of its special features include MOSFET models, more than 200 operational amp models, transistor models, and many others.LTspice download.

Advantages 

  • LTspice has an enhanced SPICE, thus making it work much faster than other normal SPICE simulators in switching regulators. 
  • Then, it is highly efficient. 

Disadvantage

  • The major shortcoming holding LTspice back is the proprietary code base as licensed by Linear. This limits its interaction boundaries, denying a chance for collaborative development.

3.MultiSim

MultiSim, an online circuit simulation tool/ software from National Instruments, is a student version with limited access.

Nevertheless, it is perfect for beginners when dealing with electronic circuits involved in circuit building. 

A few of its highlight features include creating PCBs and exploring the breadboard in a 3D version before submitting the lab assignments.

MultiSim download 

Advantages 

  • It is user-friendly and hence recommended for beginners.
  • Then, it is an open-source simulator (free of charge).
  • You can also use the simulator on your phone since it’s not limited to the computer.
  • Again, you can perform a breadboard simulation with a MultiSim simulator.
  • Additionally, you can share your work/project with the rest of the online community to help you improve.
  • Lastly, it is rich in beginner-friendly features that are comprehensive.

Disadvantage 

  • Unluckily, being a student version makes it inefficient for expertise work because it has limited access. 

4. Circuit Sims 

Circuit Sims 

Circuit Sims favors newbies in their quest to comprehend how electronic and simple circuits function.

Moreover, it runs on any browser, contributing tremendously to its popularity. 

Circuit Sims download 

Advantages 

  • It is easy to use and understand its format.
  • Then, you don’t necessarily need an account since it is free.
  • Finally, it is an Open-Source simulator. 

Disadvantages 

  • The GUI isn’t catchy or attractive at first glance, but you’ll get used to it. 
  • Additionally, you will find limited library parts. 

5. PartSim 

PartSim 

PartSim is a zero-installation circuit building software found on your website.

It includes features such as a graphical waveform viewer, a SPICE simulation engine, and a web-based schematic capture tool. 

PartSim download 

Advantages 

  • PartSim has a clear layout, making it user-friendly.
  • Besides, it is free. 
  • Also, vendors dedicate many parts to the site, thus making it a better option when practically using it. 

Disadvantages 

  • It is not powerful enough, but it can still serve beginners effectively. 
  • Its library may have several operative amplifiers, but it still lacks other needed ICs. 

6.CircuitsCloud 

Circuits Cloud 

With a CircuitsCloud simulator, you will need to create an account first before using it.

It is an online simulator working on both analog and digital simulation.

Circuits cloud download

Advantages 

  • It is free.
  • In addition, anyone can easily understand its features, thus contributing to a quick circuit design. 

Disadvantages 

  • First, the CircuitsCloud library does not have sufficient MCUs and digital ICs.
  • Further, the simulation does not animate the current’s direction. 

7. Tina-TI

Tina-TI

Tina-TI is a free online circuit simulation tool that carries out functions like circuit building, noise analysis, DC/AC analysis, Fourier analysis, and transient analysis, to mention a few.

In terms of operation, it often carries out the mentioned analysis after circuit design and before the simulation process.

What’s more, it will check for errors in a circuit before simulation.

Tina TI download 

Advantages 

  • You can always use Tine-TI to simulate SPICE circuits.
  • Further, you can change the components’ value as you wish. 
  • Also, it is easy to use in circuit design and simulation.
  • After finishing your project, you can save it on the PC as a schematic file for future reference. Alternatively, you can proceed and export it as an XML or image. 
  • It ensures the circuit design is error-free. 

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8.AutoDesk 

AutoDesk 

AutoDesk is circuit simulation software that helps you design circuits, view them on a breadboard, incorporate Arduino, simulate them, and finally, construct a PCB.

One way the simulator is unique is that you can directly do Arduino programming while on this site. 

AutoDesk download 

Advantages

  • First, you can use it to simulate an Arduino.
  • Moreover, you will find many parts in the library.
  • You can also easily interpret the output design and then use the reference to make a real circuit connection in the future. 

Disadvantages 

  • AutoDesk requires great expertise since it is tougher than other simulators when using it for circuit design. 
  • Also, you can’t quickly draw a circuit with it. 

9. NgSpice

 

NgSpice

NgSpice is a known online simulator from Sourceforge with the feature of being an open-source simulator.

It is also a mixed-signal simulation engine with three open-source software packages: Xspice, Spice3f5, and Cider.

Furthermore, it makes up a part of gEDA projects, and due to numerous suggestions towards it, it’s constantly improving. 

NgSpice download 

Advantage 

  • The collaborative nature of the NgSpice application allows you to join the development team and improve your circuit simulation. 

10. Circuit LAB 

Circuit LAB 

It is an online circuit simulator which unfortunately isn’t entirely free.

However, its excellent features compensate for its non-free state. Moreover, it has an accurate digital and analog simulator that makes it effective. 

Circuit Lab download 

Advantages 

  • It suits experimenters and newbies because of its well-built platform and affordable library. 
  • Also, if you need further analysis, you can export the output results or simulated graph into a CSV file and later use it.
  • You can get pre-designed circuits, and circuit design with circuit LAB is easy.

Disadvantages 

  • It may not be a free platform, but the demo is free.
  • It also requires the integration of more digital ICs in the library. 
  • Then, other than graphical representation, developers can add interactive simulations for a better experience. 

11. Best Free Circuit Simulator– TinaCloud 

Best Free Circuit Simulator-- TinaCloud 

It falls under the Tina software and is web-based. TinaCloud doesn’t require installation and will run freely when browsing online.

Furthermore, it helps design digital and analog electronic circuits and their simulation. 

TinaCloud download 

Advantages 

  • First, it helps students monitor their progress online since its tools check for students’ knowledge. 
  • It cannot only allow access to Infineon Designer application circuits but also upload and use designs by Infineon Designer. 

12 Best Free Circuit Simulator– DoCircuits

It functions to create both analog and digital circuits; however, it may not be as efficient as other simulators.

Again, you must log in when doing your project, as it is not free.

coCircuits download 

Advantages 

  • You will find several pre-designs on the site.
  • Then, the electronic components look real. 
  • Even better, it has an interactdesignsig. However, it’s slow.

Disadvantages

  • There’s a limit in simulation.
  • Regrettably, you also can’t apply digital and analog components on a similar circuit. 

13. Best Free Circuit Simulator–DC/AC Virtual Lab 

Best Free Circuit Simulator--DC/AC Virtual Lab 

As the name suggests, a DC/AC virtual lab simulator builds DC/AC circuits with several components.

For example, there are photodiodes, resistors, batterietc e c. But despite being attractive, it does have some setbacks.

DC/AC Virtual Lab

Advantages 

  • It is real-looking and, hence, fun to use.
  • The UI is also simple and easy to understand. 

Disadvantages

  • Often, it has a less powerful simulation and a limited library. 
  • Then, it may not be completely free. 

Summary

To conclude, in today’s technological world, you are bound to find several circuit simulator software programs at your disposal.

However, with the above 13 circuit simulation online tools, you’re already on the track ck. Apart from being completely free, you can use them directly from the website without incorporating the download process ss. 

Further, depending on your expertise level and requirements, you will effortlessly settle on a suit simulator. This is because they have the specifications you need.

As always, you can still contact us if you need further information on the same.

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