Comparison

PCBmaker vs PCB Studio Maker

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

Head to head
About

PCBmaker

Features
Read full description

PCBmaker lets you design PCBs right on your iPhone: build a circuit from ready-made modules, route it automatically, then etch the board at home or order it from a factory. FREE FEATURES • Build circuits from ready-made modules: Arduino, ESP32, sensors, displays, motor drivers, voltage regulators and many more. • Connect pins automatically or by hand. • The Circuit Inspector (DRC) catches wiring mistakes. • The autorouter routes the traces for you. • Preview the board and the etching negative. • Export a 1:1 Print Negative (PDF) for home etching with toner transfer or a laser: top and bottom sides, mirroring, drill holes, outline, labels and laser kerf compensation. • Use starter projects with a parts list and an Arduino sketch. PCBmaker PRO, production exports: • Gerber ZIP ready to order from JLCPCB • KiCad netlist (.net) • JLCPCB BOM (CSV) Made for hobbyists, students and makers who solder their own boards and want to get from idea to working PCB fast. PCBmaker by Terlecki Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: [https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/]

About

PCB Studio Maker

Features
Read full description

PCB Studio Maker is a modern PCB design workspace built for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Create electronic projects from schematic to finished board using a clean, focused interface designed for fast prototyping, learning and real-world hardware development. Start with your schematic, organize components and nets, sync your design with the PCB layout, route tracks, inspect connections and preview your board in 3D before preparing it for manufacturing. KEY FEATURES • Schematic Design Create and organize electronic circuits with components, pins, nets and footprints. • PCB Layout Editor Place components, route copper tracks, add vias, inspect layers and refine your board layout. • Component Library Browse common resistors, capacitors, LEDs, connectors, ICs, MOSFETs, drivers, regulators and other electronic components. • 3D Board Preview Visualize your PCB and component placement in an interactive 3D view. • Design Rule Checks Review warnings, connectivity issues and potential design problems before manufacturing. • Manufacturing Preparation Review board layers, footprints, routing and fabrication requirements before export. • Export Tools Prepare manufacturing packages, board previews, parts lists, project files and other useful design outputs. • Multi-Device Workflow Use PCB Studio Maker on Mac, iPhone and iPad and continue designing wherever you work. PCB Studio Maker is useful for: • Electronics students • Makers and hobbyists • Embedded developers • Robotics projects • IoT development • Prototype electronics • PCB experimentation • Hardware engineers Whether you are building a simple prototype, motor controller, sensor board, embedded system or custom electronics project, PCB Studio Maker gives you the tools to move from idea to physical board in one streamlined workspace. Design. Route. Preview. Manufacture. Build your next PCB with PCB Studio Maker. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ The app uses Apple's Standard Licensed Application End User License Agreement.

Screenshots

PCBmaker4 screens
PCB Studio Maker4 screens

Verdict

The call

PCBmaker and PCB Studio Maker are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. PCBmaker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and PCB Studio Maker sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PCBmaker ships an update every 8 days, PCB Studio Maker every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
PCBmaker versus PCB Studio Maker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPCBmakerPCB Studio Maker
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBARTOSZ TERLECKIMirza Pasic

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PCBmaker

Subscriptions2
  • PCBmaker PRO Monthly$6.991 Month
  • PCBmaker PRO Yearly$49.991 Year
1 purchases

PCB Studio Maker

Subscriptions1
  • PCB Studio Pro$4.991 Month

Questions

Is PCBmaker free?
PCBmaker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PCB Studio Maker free?
PCB Studio Maker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PCBmaker or PCB Studio Maker have ads?
Neither PCBmaker nor PCB Studio Maker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PCBmaker or PCB Studio Maker?
PCBmaker ships an update every 8 days, and PCB Studio Maker every 9 days. Most recently, PCBmaker was updated on October 24, 2026 and PCB Studio Maker on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons