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Best Free Alternatives to NI Multisim (Circuit Design Suite)
Stop paying $1,869/yr (Base) - $4,838/yr (Professional). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: Professional Circuit SimulationVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
KiCad (NGSpice)
FREEBest Professional Free Alternative
Why we like it
100% free; 2026 updates have vastly improved the NGSpice integration, allowing for advanced simulation directly within the schematic editor; no record or layer limits.
Keep in mind
The simulation interface is less 'visual' (no drag-and-drop virtual multimeters) compared to Multisim.
LTspice
FREEBest for Power & Analog Speed
Why we like it
Industry-standard for high-performance SPICE; optimized for switching power supplies; exceptionally fast and accurate; completely free for commercial use.
Keep in mind
The user interface is notoriously 'legacy' and lacks modern visual flair; limited library for digital-only components.
Proteus 9 (EDAi)
Best for Microcontroller Simulation
Why we like it
The 2026 release features 'EDAi' (AI-assisted tuning); unique 'Virtual System Modeling' (VSM) allows you to run actual firmware code on your virtual circuit; unmatched for embedded projects.
Keep in mind
Tiered pricing can get expensive; Windows only; learning curve for advanced AI-assisted features.
Falstad Circuit Sim
FREEBest for Visual Intuition
Why we like it
Runs in any browser; unique animated visualization of current flow; perfect for 'sanity checking' logic or teaching electronics concepts; zero installation.
Keep in mind
Not a professional-grade EDA tool; cannot generate manufacturing files (Gerbers) natively.
Qucs-S
FREEBest for RF & Microwave Design
Why we like it
An enhanced version of the original Qucs; supports multiple simulation kernels (NGSpice, XYCE); excellent for high-frequency/RF analysis.
Keep in mind
Development is community-driven and can be slower than commercial tools; interface is technical and dense.
EasyEDA (Pro)
FREEBest for Rapid Prototyping
Why we like it
Browser-based; direct integration with JLCPCB for instant manufacturing; massive 15M+ library of user-contributed parts; excellent for collaborative hardware builds.
Keep in mind
Cloud-dependent; simulation depth is generally lower than desktop SPICE tools for sensitive analog signals.
Micro-Cap 12
FREEBest for Advanced Analysis
Why we like it
A previously $4,000 tool now free; features world-class mixed-signal simulation and optimization; supports massive component libraries.
Keep in mind
No longer actively developed; interface is dated; no modern PCB layout path.
Wokwi
FREEBest for Arduino/ESP32 Web Testing
Why we like it
Simulates microcontrollers directly in the browser with real-time code execution; great for sharing 'simulated' prototypes on web platforms.
Keep in mind
Strictly logic and code simulation; not intended for high-fidelity analog SPICE modeling.
TINA-TI
FREEBest for TI Component Users
Why we like it
Powerful SPICE engine from Texas Instruments; includes a massive library of TI-specific Op-Amps and ICs; very stable and lightweight.
Keep in mind
Focused on TI's ecosystem; less versatile for generic component research compared to Multisim.
SimulIDE
FREEBest for Interactive Education
Why we like it
Real-time interaction with the circuit (switches, buttons, pots); supports AVR, PIC, and Arduino; 100% free; very fast.
Keep in mind
PCB layout features are basic; smaller component library than the major EDA giants.
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