Once you get past the initial learning curve, it gets pretty simple to use. It was a struggle to learn how to use Eagle whether you have a Windows, Mac or Linux background, Eagle has an unfamiliar user interface. It's interesting that all of the ardent supporters of Kicad end their ringing endorsements with 'I've never tried EasyEDA.' Another common point seems to be 'I use Kicad every day.' This makes using some of the impossibly small parts practical. For 'extended' parts in their library – less commonly used and not always loaded on the pick&place machines – there's a $3 charge that covers loading the reel onto the p&p machine. For 'basic' parts in their library, they will assemble SMT components on the board for $7(lot of 10 boards) plus the cost of the components. If a certain part isn't in the libraries, it can often be added using the library managers provided by Digikey and Mouser.Ī final compelling reason to use EasyEDA is JLC's approximately free SMT assembly service. In addition to the included libraries, the user-contributed library is immense.

Most parts LCSC (Chinese equivalent of Digikey) are in the library, as are most parts from the Western World. I'd say a primary point in EasyEDA's favor is the huge component library. Like Eagle, there are a few quirks on how to do some things, but nothing a quick search didn't solve. EasyEDA is in fact easy to use there's some learning curve but it's not steep. There are some minor things I initially missed from Eagle, but that didn't last long.

As someone who mastered (to some extent) Eagle, that's saying a lot.Ī few months ago.well, probably a year ago now., I tried EasyEDA and I'm hooked.

I looked at Kicad some time back and found it too confusing to use.

Kicad vs diptrace