Want to design PCBs without the cost and complexity? See how LibrePCB is giving makers, students, and engineers a free, open way to build electronics from schematic to board.
Are you just starting out with PCB design, or have you been laying out boards for years? Either way, we’ve all wished for a tool that keeps things simple: capture the schematic, lay out the PCB, check the rules, export the files, and get boards made—without hidden costs or licensing headaches. That’s exactly what LibrePCB sets out to deliver.
Instead of bouncing between complex proprietary platforms, LibrePCB gives us a free, open-source environment where everything from circuit capture to manufacturing files happens in one place. It’s built with makers, students, and small teams in mind, but it’s flexible enough for professional use too.
Here’s what we can actually do inside LibrePCB:
- Capture schematics and design PCB layouts in a single environment
- Manage reusable parts with a smart library system (symbols, footprints, devices all kept cleanly separate)
- Run real-time design rule checks to catch mistakes early
- Export Gerber, Excellon, BOM, and pick-and-place data without limitations
- Generate interactive HTML BOMs for easy procurement and sharing
- Work across Windows, macOS, or Linux with human-readable project files perfect for version control
- Even send boards for manufacturing directly from the app with optional order integration
The current stable release, LibrePCB 1.3.0 (March 2025), is all about polish and small but useful upgrades. It adds an interactive HTML BOM export, making it easier to share parts lists with a team or purchasing department. It also improves KiCad v9 library compatibility, so we can reuse parts from another popular EDA tool. Behind the scenes, some modules were reworked in Rust for better long-term stability, and the update smooths out a lot of edge cases and crashes.
Bigger changes are coming in LibrePCB 2.0, with previews already showing off a cleaner tabbed UI, split windows, and better library management. For now, 1.3.0 sets a strong foundation and keeps everyday design work reliable.
“The library approach is refreshing — once you get it, creating reusable parts is much faster than in other tools.”said a design engineer. Another company mentioned, “LibrePCB is intuitive and clean, but it still lacks some of the advanced features needed for complex boards.” Overall, users love the simplicity and library handling, while acknowledging that it’s still catching up with more mature EDA platforms when it comes to high-end features.
Is LibrePCB really free? Yes—completely. Unlike commercial EDA tools, LibrePCB has no “trial mode,” no locked features, and no subscription tiers. Every function, from schematic to Gerber export, is available under the GNU GPLv3 license. You don’t need an account, and you won’t hit a paywall.
Instead, support is community-driven through forums and documentation, while professional paid help can be arranged separately if needed. Development is funded by donations and sponsorships, keeping the project independent and open.
So if you’re a student, a hobbyist, or a small team that wants a capable PCB tool without the license fees, LibrePCB is a pragmatic option. And with 2.0 on the horizon, it’s only getting stronger.
For more information on LibrePCB, click here.
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