Comparison

Model Viewer | CAD Viewer 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

Model Viewer | CAD Viewer

View and inspect 3D model files with ease. Import various formats, manipulate the view with intuitive controls, and access basic model information on a clear workspace.

Highlights
  • 3D model inspection
  • Import multiple file formats
  • Rotate, pan, and zoom controls
  • Toggle grid workspace
  • View basic model details
Features
Read full description

Model Viewer is an app for opening and inspecting 3D model files on a clean grid workspace. Import supported files from Files, rotate, pan, zoom, reset the view, toggle the grid, and review basic model details. Supported formats include STL, GLB, GLTF, USD, USDA, USDC, USDZ, OBJ, PLY, DAE, ABC, and SCN. MODEL VIEWER PRO Viewing models is free. Model Viewer Pro unlocks rendered, mesh wireframe, edges, and X-ray modes, clipping planes, studio backgrounds and lighting, favorites, folders, and a saved view for every model. Model Viewer Pro is an optional auto-renewable subscription, available monthly or yearly. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://greatminds-create.com/legal/model-viewer/privacy/

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

Model Viewer | CAD Viewer2 screens
Protoboard Designer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Protoboard Designer at every 5 days against Model Viewer | CAD Viewer's every 2 weeks. 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. Model Viewer | CAD Viewer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month 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

Model Viewer | CAD Viewer ships an update every 2 weeks, Protoboard Designer every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Model Viewer | CAD Viewer versus Protoboard Designer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModel Viewer | CAD ViewerProtoboard Designer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAstonish InnovationsProtoboard Designer Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Model Viewer | CAD Viewer

Subscriptions2
  • Model Viewer Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Model Viewer Pro Yearly$19.991 Year
2 purchases

Protoboard Designer

Subscriptions2
  • Maker$5.991 Month
  • Engineer$12.991 Month

Questions

Is Model Viewer | CAD Viewer free?
Model Viewer | CAD Viewer 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 Model Viewer | CAD Viewer or Protoboard Designer have ads?
Neither Model Viewer | CAD Viewer nor Protoboard Designer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Model Viewer | CAD Viewer or Protoboard Designer?
Model Viewer | CAD Viewer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Protoboard Designer every 5 days. Most recently, Model Viewer | CAD Viewer was updated on October 19, 2026 and Protoboard Designer on October 18, 2026.

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