Compare DipTrace vs. ProtoFlow

DipTrace is a professional PCB design suite from Novarm Ltd, in continuous development since 2004 and used by over 30,000 engineers across 50+ countries. Companies in aerospace, defense, medical devices, and industrial electronics rely on it for production work. The suite covers the full design flow in one environment. Schematic Capture handles multi-sheet hierarchical projects with electrical rule check, a Digital SPICE Simulator for analog and digital circuits, and cross-selection with the board. PCB Layout provides interactive push-and-shove editing, where moving or rotating a placed component displaces neighbouring traces and vias as you work, and dragged traces route themselves around pads, keepouts, and existing copper. Designers choose whether design rules are enforced at all times or violations are permitted deliberately. High-speed work is supported through differential pair routing, length matching, layer stackup management, and a PCB calculator. Manufacturing output covers Gerber X2, ODB++, IPC-2581, NC Drill, and STEP for mechanical CAD. Version 5.3 introduced a native XML project format that mirrors the binary format feature for feature, making designs practical to keep under Git or another version control system. Component sourcing runs through a database-powered search with Mouser integration and SnapEDA access to more than 10 million parts. Projects import from Altium, KiCad, Eagle, OrCAD, EasyEDA Pro, Pulsonix, and PADS. DipTrace runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Licensing is perpetual — bought once, with no subscription or maintenance fees — across five editions starting at $75. Technical support is provided to every user, including those on the free edition.

ProtoFlow is an advanced electronic design automation (EDA) tool specifically designed for schematic capture and PCB design, utilizing AI technology. It allows users to describe circuits in straightforward language, which generates an editable initial draft, enabling the search for actual electronic components and their footprints, along with datasheet inspections to ensure accuracy. Users can tidy up wiring and seamlessly continue working in familiar schematic and board editors. The tool includes features such as ERC/DRC reviews, 3D board visualization, Git-backed version control with visual diffs, collaborative comments, and outputs for manufacturing, which encompass Gerber files, drill files, BOMs, and placement files. Importantly, designs are maintained as editable geometries, and it is crucial for users to double-check symbols, footprints, connections, and manufacturing details prior to production. Additionally, ProtoFlow has the capability to read and write native KiCad files, allowing for easy integration into existing EDA processes. A free plan is accessible without the need for a credit card, while paid plans offer enhanced AI capabilities. This tool is tailored for hardware engineers, makers, students, educators, researchers, and startups in the electronics sector, making it a versatile choice for various users in the field. Furthermore, its intuitive interface and collaborative features make it an ideal option for teams working on electronic projects.