Comparison

PCBAtlas vs Protoboard Designer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Protoboard Designer

Features
Read full description

Go from circuit idea to production-ready Gerber file in minutes. No netlist. No learning curve. Just open the app and start building. Protoboard Designer is a WYSIWYG PCB layout editor for makers, hobbyists, students, and anyone who finds KiCad or Altium overwhelming. Place components, route copper traces, and export your board — on your phone, tablet, or directly in your browser at protoboarddesigner.com. Available on iOS and Web — your projects sync seamlessly across all your devices. KEY FEATURES • WYSIWYG PCB Layout — what you place on screen is exactly what gets manufactured. No surprises at the fab house. • Gerber & PDF Export — send production-ready Gerber files directly to any PCB fab, or export a PDF to etch your own board at home. • KiCad Footprint Import — use the built-in component library, import KiCad footprints, or add any public GitHub repository as a footprint source. • Cloud Project Sync — your boards are automatically backed up and synced across iOS and Web. Start on your phone, finish in the browser — or vice versa. • No Netlist Required — skip the schematic step entirely and jump straight to layout. PERFECT FOR • Makers and hobbyists designing perfboard, stripboard, or custom PCB layouts • Students learning electronics and circuit board design • Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32 tinkerers moving beyond breadboards • Anyone wanting to go from idea to fabrication without weeks of learning software WHY NOT KICAD OR ALTIUM? Traditional EDA tools are powerful — but they're designed for professional engineers managing complex multi-layer boards. They take weeks to learn and are desktop-only. Protoboard Designer strips away everything you don't need for hobby and prototype work, so you can focus on building, not learning software. Try the web app for free at protoboarddesigner.com — no install required. Or download now and sign in with Google to get started in seconds. No credit card required. Terms of Use (EULA): https://protoboarddesigner.com/terms-of-service.html Privacy Policy: https://protoboarddesigner.com/privacy-policy.html

Screenshots

PCBAtlas4 screens
Protoboard Designer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Protoboard Designer at daily against PCBAtlas's every 6 days. Protoboard Designer also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PCBAtlas sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Protoboard Designer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PCBAtlas ships an update every 6 days, Protoboard Designer daily. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
PCBAtlas versus Protoboard Designer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPCBAtlasProtoboard Designer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size122 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShanghai Astroform Software Ltd.Protoboard Designer Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PCBAtlas

One-time1
  • Unlock Plus$24.99
2 purchases

Protoboard Designer

Subscriptions2
  • Maker$5.991 Month
  • Engineer$12.991 Month

Questions

Is PCBAtlas free?
PCBAtlas is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Protoboard Designer free?
Protoboard Designer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PCBAtlas or Protoboard Designer have ads?
Neither PCBAtlas nor Protoboard Designer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PCBAtlas or Protoboard Designer?
PCBAtlas ships an update every 6 days, and Protoboard Designer daily. Most recently, PCBAtlas was updated on September 20, 2026 and Protoboard Designer on September 14, 2026.

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