Solid Engineer vs PCBAtlas
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Solid Engineer
This app teaches programming through visual 3D model creation. It offers modes for beginners to advanced users, including JavaScript support. Models can be printed or shared.
- Visual programming interface
- 3D model creation
- Printable model export
- Beginner to advanced modes
- JavaScript integration
- Keyframe animation
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Learn programming and create 3D models that can be printed or shared with other users. The 'basic' mode helps students to learn the basics of programming by dragging and dropping programming statements. The 'advanced' mode supports subtracting and intersecting volumes, profiles, parameters, part libraries and keyframe animation. In the 'programmer' mode you can use the power of modern JavaScript such as arrow functions, maps and filters.
PCBAtlas
This app provides a local-first workspace for reviewing PCB designs on Apple devices. Import various design files, inspect layouts in 2D and 3D, organize revisions, and manage project data. It streamlines the review process for hardware teams and engineers.
- Import PCB design files (Gerber, ODB++, etc.)
- 2D and 3D board review workspace
- Organize board revisions
- Project and schematic context browsing
- Export PNG/PDF captures and source packages
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Open and review PCB design and manufacturing files locally on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. PCBAtlas is a local-first PCB viewer and review workspace for hardware teams, PCB designers, firmware engineers, QA reviewers, and anyone who needs to inspect real board data away from a full EDA station. Import supported KiCad projects, schematics, board files, DSN, IPC-2581 XML, ODB++ archives or directories, and recognized manufacturing packages. Keep board revisions in managed PCB workspaces, inspect layouts in 2D, browse project and schematic context where available, and use board-level 3D when spatial context helps. What PCBAtlas helps with: - Open supported PCB design and manufacturing files without uploading them to a web viewer - Organize board revisions in a local library - Inspect dense boards with pan, zoom, layer controls, search, object details, and selection tools - Review project data, schematic context, statistics, and import status in Data views - Use board-level 3D for supported board sessions - Export PNG/PDF captures, original source packages, converted board outputs, and shareable handoff materials with PCBAtlas Plus The free tier lets you import and review boards with up to three PCB workspaces. PCBAtlas Plus is a one-time in-app purchase that unlocks unlimited workspaces, export, source delivery, converted outputs, and sharing workflows. PCBAtlas is built for review, inspection, QA, and delivery workflows.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Solid Engineer at none against PCBAtlas's 1. Solid Engineer also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). PCBAtlas's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 5 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. PCBAtlas sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Solid Engineer asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Solid Engineer against 5.0 for PCBAtlas. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.
Solid Engineer ships an update every 5 months, PCBAtlas every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Solid Engineer | PCBAtlas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 129 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Axxem B.V. | Shanghai Astroform Software Ltd. |
Customer experience
Solid Engineer
PCBAtlas
In-app purchases
Solid Engineer
No in-app purchases
PCBAtlas
- Unlock Plus$24.99
Questions
Is Solid Engineer free?
Is PCBAtlas free?
Which has better reviews, Solid Engineer or PCBAtlas?
Do Solid Engineer or PCBAtlas have ads?
Which is updated more often, Solid Engineer or PCBAtlas?
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