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Which subscription is right for you?

 

EXPLORER

Free
No hidden feees
  • Download and use our DesignSpark software for your PCB and 3D Mechanical designs
  • View and contribute website content and forums
  • Download 3D Models, Schematics and Footprints from more than a million products
Subscribe to EXPLORER

CREATOR

Free 7-day trial
/ mo
billed yearly
  • All the features from our Explorer tier
  • Advanced features in our 3D DesignSpark Mechanical software
  • PCB software with integrated product search
Subscribe to CREATOR

ENGINEER

Free 7-day trial
/ mo
billed yearly
  • All the features from our Explorer and Creator tiers
  • Professional PCB design functionality in our DesignSpark PCB software
  • Product data including YTEOL, PCN, EOL and environmental docs for a billion products
Subscribe to ENGINEER

ENTERPRISE

Giving engineering managers flexibility and control

  • Manage your team and reassign licenses as your team evolves
  • Improve collaboration, your whole team can now access 3 professional CAD tools
  • Count the savings because the more seats, the bigger the discount
Request a quote

Our pricing page has full details. Compare our plans to see which subscription is right for you.

EXPLORER

CREATOR

ENGINEER

Free 7-day trial Free 7-day trial
Free
No hidden feees
/ mo
billed yearly
/ mo
billed yearly
Subscribe to EXPLORER Subscribe to CREATOR Subscribe to ENGINEER
DesignSpark PCB

Unlimited schematic sheets and PCB layer count

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Export to mechanical design software and Spice simulators

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Manufacturing plots (Gerber, Excellon, drill, etc.) and reports (BoM, generic netlist, etc. )

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Design rules checker and editor

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Plotting - Pre plot checks New

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Library - Component name ranges New

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Bill of Materials composer

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Save Copy As New

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Library - Export/Import components New

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Measure - Dual Units New

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Units - Angular precision increased New

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Integrated SnapEDA CAD library

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Advanced DRC checks (undrilled pads, Via to SMD pad distance, etc.)

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Blind and buried vias

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Heirarchical schematic designs

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Variant manager, TestLands and mechanical dimensions

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Library Manager - Save Project Libraries New

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Component Bin - Selection and ordering options New

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Design Rules Checks - Additional checks New

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Differential pairs and buses (define, edit, trunk routing, etc.)

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Copper coverage report

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IPC-2581 Output

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DesignSpark Mechanical

Unlimited projects and design size

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Pull, blend, fill and combine tools for complex shapes and geometry manipulation

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Generate Bill of Materials and get quotes

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Import PCBs in the IDF format

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Measure and quality tools (check mass properties, draft angles, curvature, deviation, etc.)

check_circle check_circle check_circle

Equation and constraint-based sketching tools

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Reverse engineer solid model from 3D scanned mesh (eg. STL)

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3D Mirror tool

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Detailing options for drawing sheets (full GD&T and support for JIS, ISO, ANSI industry standards)

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Cosmetic threads

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Import/Export STEP, IGES, AutoCAD DWG and DXF formats

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Edit 3D objects from Drawing sheet views

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Design and Product Resources

PCB Footprints And Schematics

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Reference Designs

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3D Product Models

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Product Datasheet

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RoHS and Reach Compliance Status (Y/N)

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3D Model and Footprint

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Lifecycle Risk

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Environmental Risk

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RoHS and Reach Compliance Information

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DRC Status

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Technical Attributes

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Predictive Lifecycle Data

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Alternative Products

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Export Compliance - HTC, ECCN, and Schedule B

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Product Change and End of Life Notifications

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DesignSpark Circuit Simulator

Simulator Time Limit

1 min

60 min

60 min

Design, modeling, Simulator, and analysis environment for electronic and mechatronic circuits and systems.

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Analog, digital, mixed-signal and multi-domain systems including electro-mechanical and electro-thermal.

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User access to Partner provided SPICE and VHDL-AMS models. Users can create and import Simulator models.

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Unlimited public designs

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Closed Groups for Collaboration

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Private Groups for Collaboration (DesignSpark invite-only)

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Training & support

Public discussion forum

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Learning materials

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tutorials, videos, and FAQs

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+ advanced tips and tricks

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+ advanced tips and tricks

Free 7-day trial Free 7-day trial
Free
No hidden feees
/ mo
billed yearly
/ mo
billed yearly
Subscribe to EXPLORER Subscribe to CREATOR Subscribe to ENGINEER
DesignSpark PCB
check_circle

Unlimited schematic sheets and PCB layer count

check_circle

Export to mechanical design software and Spice simulators

check_circle

Manufacturing plots (Gerber, Excellon, drill, etc.) and reports (BoM, generic netlist, etc. )

check_circle

Design rules checker and editor

check_circle

Plotting - Pre plot checks New

check_circle

Library - Component name ranges New

check_circle

Unlimited schematic sheets and PCB layer count

check_circle

Export to mechanical design software and Spice simulators

check_circle

Manufacturing plots (Gerber, Excellon, drill, etc.) and reports (BoM, generic netlist, etc. )

check_circle

Design rules checker and editor

check_circle

Plotting - Pre plot checks New

check_circle

Library - Component name ranges New

check_circle

Bill of Materials composer

check_circle

Save Copy As New

check_circle

Library - Export/Import components New

check_circle

Measure - Dual Units New

check_circle

Units - Angular precision increased New

check_circle

Integrated SnapEDA CAD library

check_circle

Advanced DRC checks (undrilled pads, Via to SMD pad distance, etc.)

check_circle

Unlimited schematic sheets and PCB layer count

check_circle

Export to mechanical design software and Spice simulators

check_circle

Manufacturing plots (Gerber, Excellon, drill, etc.) and reports (BoM, generic netlist, etc. )

check_circle

Design rules checker and editor

check_circle

Plotting - Pre plot checks New

check_circle

Library - Component name ranges New

check_circle

Bill of Materials composer

check_circle

Save Copy As New

check_circle

Library - Export/Import components New

check_circle

Measure - Dual Units New

check_circle

Units - Angular precision increased New

check_circle

Integrated SnapEDA CAD library

check_circle

Advanced DRC checks (undrilled pads, Via to SMD pad distance, etc.)

check_circle

Blind and buried vias

check_circle

Heirarchical schematic designs

check_circle

Variant manager, TestLands and mechanical dimensions

check_circle

Library Manager - Save Project Libraries New

check_circle

Component Bin - Selection and ordering options New

check_circle

Design Rules Checks - Additional checks New

check_circle

Differential pairs and buses (define, edit, trunk routing, etc.)

check_circle

Copper coverage report

check_circle

IPC-2581 Output

DesignSpark Mechanical
check_circle

Unlimited projects and design size

check_circle

Pull, blend, fill and combine tools for complex shapes and geometry manipulation

check_circle

Generate Bill of Materials and get quotes

check_circle

Import PCBs in the IDF format

check_circle

Measure and quality tools (check mass properties, draft angles, curvature, deviation, etc.)

check_circle

Equation and constraint-based sketching tools

check_circle

Unlimited projects and design size

check_circle

Pull, blend, fill and combine tools for complex shapes and geometry manipulation

check_circle

Generate Bill of Materials and get quotes

check_circle

Import PCBs in the IDF format

check_circle

Measure and quality tools (check mass properties, draft angles, curvature, deviation, etc.)

check_circle

Equation and constraint-based sketching tools

check_circle

Reverse engineer solid model from 3D scanned mesh (eg. STL)

check_circle

3D Mirror tool

check_circle

Detailing options for drawing sheets (full GD&T and support for JIS, ISO, ANSI industry standards)

check_circle

Cosmetic threads

check_circle

Import/Export STEP, IGES, AutoCAD DWG and DXF formats

check_circle

Edit 3D objects from Drawing sheet views

check_circle

Unlimited projects and design size

check_circle

Pull, blend, fill and combine tools for complex shapes and geometry manipulation

check_circle

Generate Bill of Materials and get quotes

check_circle

Import PCBs in the IDF format

check_circle

Measure and quality tools (check mass properties, draft angles, curvature, deviation, etc.)

check_circle

Equation and constraint-based sketching tools

check_circle

Reverse engineer solid model from 3D scanned mesh (eg. STL)

check_circle

3D Mirror tool

check_circle

Detailing options for drawing sheets (full GD&T and support for JIS, ISO, ANSI industry standards)

check_circle

Cosmetic threads

check_circle

Import/Export STEP, IGES, AutoCAD DWG and DXF formats

check_circle

Edit 3D objects from Drawing sheet views

Design and Product Resources
check_circle

PCB Footprints And Schematics

check_circle

Reference Designs

check_circle

3D Product Models

check_circle

Product Datasheet

check_circle

RoHS and Reach Compliance Status (Y/N)

check_circle

3D Model and Footprint

check_circle

PCB Footprints And Schematics

check_circle

Reference Designs

check_circle

3D Product Models

check_circle

Product Datasheet

check_circle

RoHS and Reach Compliance Status (Y/N)

check_circle

3D Model and Footprint

check_circle

Lifecycle Risk

check_circle

Environmental Risk

check_circle

RoHS and Reach Compliance Information

check_circle

DRC Status

check_circle

PCB Footprints And Schematics

check_circle

Reference Designs

check_circle

3D Product Models

check_circle

Product Datasheet

check_circle

RoHS and Reach Compliance Status (Y/N)

check_circle

3D Model and Footprint

check_circle

Lifecycle Risk

check_circle

Environmental Risk

check_circle

RoHS and Reach Compliance Information

check_circle

DRC Status

check_circle

Technical Attributes

check_circle

Predictive Lifecycle Data

check_circle

Alternative Products

check_circle

Export Compliance - HTC, ECCN, and Schedule B

check_circle

Product Change and End of Life Notifications

DesignSpark Circuit Simulator
check_circle

Design, modeling, Simulator, and analysis environment for electronic and mechatronic circuits and systems.

check_circle

Analog, digital, mixed-signal and multi-domain systems including electro-mechanical and electro-thermal.

check_circle

User access to Partner provided SPICE and VHDL-AMS models. Users can create and import Simulator models.

check_circle

Unlimited public designs

check_circle

Closed Groups for Collaboration

check_circle

Design, modeling, Simulator, and analysis environment for electronic and mechatronic circuits and systems.

check_circle

Analog, digital, mixed-signal and multi-domain systems including electro-mechanical and electro-thermal.

check_circle

User access to Partner provided SPICE and VHDL-AMS models. Users can create and import Simulator models.

check_circle

Unlimited public designs

check_circle

Closed Groups for Collaboration

check_circle

Design, modeling, Simulator, and analysis environment for electronic and mechatronic circuits and systems.

check_circle

Analog, digital, mixed-signal and multi-domain systems including electro-mechanical and electro-thermal.

check_circle

User access to Partner provided SPICE and VHDL-AMS models. Users can create and import Simulator models.

check_circle

Unlimited public designs

check_circle

Closed Groups for Collaboration

check_circle

Private Groups for Collaboration (DesignSpark invite-only)

Training & support
check_circle

Public discussion forum

check_circle

Learning materials


tutorials, videos, and FAQs
check_circle

Public discussion forum

check_circle

Learning materials


+ advanced tips and tricks
check_circle

Public discussion forum

check_circle

Learning materials


+ advanced tips and tricks

Frequently Asked Questions

Is commercial use allowed on the DesignSpark subscription plans and is my design IP protected?

Yes, commercial use is allowed on the DesignSpark subscription plans. You will have full ownership (including Intellectual Property - IP) of any project you create with our software.

Design files from our primary CAD software (DesignSpark Mechanical and PCB) are saved locally on the device you have installed the software to. Therefore, only you can access your own design files.

How many copies of each software can I install with 1 DesignSpark subscription licence? Is concurrent use allowed?

This varies by subscription plan:

  • Explorer: Maximum of 1 copy of each software installed on any computer.
  • Creator: Maximum of 2 copies of each software installed on any computer.
  • Engineer: Maximum of 3 copies of each software installed on any computer.

At present, we don't allow concurrent use of the same software on multiple computers (using one DesignSpark account).

Can I install each DesignSpark software on different computers?

Yes, for example you can have DesignSpark Mechanical installed on PC-1 and DesignSpark PCB on PC-2. You will also need to login to the software with your DesignSpark account and activate it for use.

Do I need to renew my DesignSpark subscription?

All our DesignSpark subscriptions auto-renew monthly, and you can choose to cancel (before the next billing date) via the manage subscription option in your account area. Once cancelled, you will have access to the subscription content until the next billing date.

Is there a DesignSpark network licence available for business or educational site use?

No, but this may change in the future. Please look out for announcements via the DesignSpark newsletter and on social media.

Where can I get help on using DesignSpark software?

You can access our software forums for answers or post a new question. The DesignSpark staff and the user community are ready to help you on the forum.

You can also view the tutorials posted on our website for step by step guidance and our built-in software documentation

Can I use DesignSpark software offline?

Yes. Please note that if it has been more than 2 hours since you last closed the software and are re-opening it, you will need to be online for a licence check. After this licence check, you can work offline in the same session.

Will I get patches or updates to my DesignSpark software?

Yes, these will be issued by our developers as and when required.

Is DesignSpark software local desktop or cloud-based software?

Our Mechanical and PCB software are desktop-only with a local installation. There may be some cloud-based tools added to our subscription plans in the future and they would not require any installation (accessed through web browser).

How do I download and use DesignSpark software and services?

A new download page becomes available as soon as you start your subscription. The download links for each software will also be in your account area after logging into DesignSpark.com.

What are the system requirements of DesignSpark software?

These are the supported system specifications for our primary CAD software:

DesignSpark Mechanical

  • Operating system – Windows 11 (64-bit), Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows Server 2016 (64-bit) and Windows Server 2019 (64-bit). *Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 7, so the software may still work on Windows 7 but you will likely encounter errors which cannot be patched by the developer.
  • Graphics card – Discrete graphics card or Integrated graphics (AMD APU, Intel HD) with the latest drivers and compatible with the supported operating systems. For full functionality, use of a recent NVIDIA or AMD Professional or Workstation Graphics card with at least 1 GB of discrete video memory and supporting, at a minimum, OpenGL version 4.5, DirectX 11, Shader Model 5.0 and with Direct3D acceleration enabled. Display should have a minimum 1024x768 minimum resolution.
  • CPU - Pentium® 4 2.0 Ghz or faster 64-bit (x64) processor.
  • RAM - 4GB or higher
  • Disk Space – at least 3GB
  • Web browser – Google Chrome (v102 or higher), Mozilla Firefox (v101 or higher) and Microsoft Edge (v102 or higher).
  • Input devices – 2 button mouse with wheel
  • Optional inputs - 3D Mouse (eg. 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse), Touchscreen multi-touch support via native pen-and-touch interface.

DesignSpark PCB

  • Operating system – Windows 11 (64-bit) and Windows 10 (32-bit or 64-bit). *Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 7, so the software may still work on Windows 7 but the developer will not be patching any issues specific to unsupported OS versions.
  • Graphics card – 1024x768 minimum display resolution. For 3D View of PCBs, hardware acceleration for OpenGL may enhance performance.
  • CPU - 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) or equivalent.
  • RAM - 4GB or higher
  • Disk Space – at least 1GB
  • Input devices – 2 button mouse with wheel