If your trial expires and you want to stay within the Altium ecosystem, the company offers a completely free, community-driven alternative called CircuitMaker.
of the full Altium Designer suite to test professional features like advanced routing and 3D visualization. How to Create a Component ("Create a Piece")
Free for personal, non-commercial use (limited to 2 schematic sheets and 2 signal layers). altium designer free software
Active students can apply for a free 6-month renewable license through the Altium Education program.
If you are an electronics hobbyist, a freelance hardware engineer, or a student just breaking into PCB design, you have likely heard the legend of . It is widely considered the gold standard for professional printed circuit board (PCB) design software. But with a price tag that can run into the thousands of dollars, the burning question is always: Is there a legitimate way to get Altium Designer free software? If your trial expires and you want to
With all these options on the table, the path forward depends entirely on your specific needs and goals. The table below provides a clear, at-a-glance comparison to help you decide.
Lacks the advanced high-speed routing, length tuning, and complex multi-layer management found in Altium Designer. Summary: Which Option Should You Choose? Recommended Choice Short-term professional evaluation Altium Designer Free Trial Free (Timed) University or college projects Altium Student License Free (6 Months Renewable) Open-source hobbyist hardware CircuitMaker Free (Public Cloud) Proprietary, private, or complex layout 100% Free & Open Source Active students can apply for a free 6-month
If the limitations of free trials or the public nature of CircuitMaker do not fit your workflow, several completely free, private alternatives exist.