Compare
Ohmeris and KiCad
KiCad is the free, open-source standard for PCB design, and Ohmeris exports to it. The difference is the bench: instruments and firmware on the circuit you drew, in the browser.
KiCad facts checked 2026-10-24 from the linked public sources. Tell us if something has changed.
Where KiCad is better
- Free and open source, with no account and no subscription
- Runs fully offline on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Deeper PCB tools: 32 layers, time-domain tuning, IPC-2581
- More simulation analyses (noise, pole-zero, S-parameters, FFT)
- Imports from almost every other tool, and a huge community
Where Ohmeris is different
- Firmware and instruments running on your schematic
- Nothing to install; share a project with a link
- AI drafting with a clear list of every change
- Exports straight to KiCad when you outgrow us
Side by side
| Area | KiCad | Ohmeris |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free and open source (GPLv3), no subscription. [about] | Basic $9, Pro $19 or Premier $49 a month after a 7-day trial. |
| Where it runs | Desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux; works fully offline. [download] | In the browser; nothing to install. Needs an internet connection. |
| Simulation | ngspice: operating point, DC sweep, AC, transient, pole-zero, noise, S-parameter, FFT; XSPICE digital models and IBIS. [manual] | ngspice: transient, AC (Bode), DC sweep and operating point. |
| Firmware on the circuit | Not documented in the KiCad 10 simulator manual. [manual] | AVR, PIC16 and a supported RP2040 path run against your schematic. |
| Instruments | Plot window with cursors, measurements and FFT; no scope, logic analyser or bus decoders documented. [manual] | Oscilloscope, multimeters, logic analyser and I²C/SPI/UART decoders on the live circuit. |
| PCB layers | Up to 32 copper layers. [PCB manual] | 2 or 4 layers. |
| Routing | Push-and-shove, walkaround, differential pairs, length/skew and time-domain tuning. [PCB manual] | Push-and-shove, differential-pair length matching, auto-route. |
| Rules | ERC and DRC with a custom rules language and a graphical rule editor. [release] | ERC and DRC with a rules language. |
| Import | Altium, Allegro, CADSTAR, Eagle, EasyEDA, PADS, LTspice and more. [PCB manual] | KiCad PCB, EasyEDA Standard and Eagle schematics. |
| Export | Gerber, drill, IPC-2581, ODB++, IPC-D-356, BOM, STEP and more. [PCB manual] | KiCad PCB, Gerber, ODB++, IPC-356, pick-and-place, SPICE netlist, open JSON. |
| Teamwork | Git integration in the project manager; real-time multi-user editing not documented. [manual] | Real-time shared editing and saved revisions you can replay exactly. |
| AI | None in the official release notes or manuals. [release] | Drafts and edits schematics; every edit lists what changed and what it kept. |
Which one should you pick?
Pick KiCad for professional, multi-layer boards, offline work, or when free and open source matters most. Pick Ohmeris to learn and test a circuit on a bench with instruments and firmware, then take the board to KiCad if you need its depth.