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CAD · head to head

KiCad vs Mozilla Hubs

KiCad logo

KiCad

CAD

Free open source schematic capture and PCB layout with no seat, board size or layer limits

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mozilla Hubs logo

Mozilla Hubs

AR VR

Open-source social VR platform for the web

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: KiCad there is no vendor obligation behind the free software, so a blocking bug is escalated to a volunteer community unless you separately buy a contract from KiCad Services Corporation.; Mozilla Hubs the Internet Archive's capture of Mozilla Hubs' homepage on 31 December 2022 priced the Early Access Hub at $20 USD/month for unlimited spaces, 25 online guest capacity, and 2GB asset storage; the product's own support URL now redirects to a page titled 'end-support-mozilla-hubs', indicating the service has since been discontinued.
  • They diverge on capability: KiCad covers Schematic capture, Mozilla Hubs covers Browser-based VR.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KiCad and Mozilla Hubs actually diverge.

Attributes where KiCad and Mozilla Hubs differ
AttributeKiCadMozilla Hubs
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWebvr, Web, Vr, Mobile
CategoryCADAR VR
FoundedUnknown1998

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in KiCad

  • Schematic capture
  • PCB layout
  • No design limits
  • 3D viewer
  • Manufacturing output
  • Scripting

Only in Mozilla Hubs

  • Browser-based VR
  • Room creation
  • Avatar system
  • Spatial audio
  • Spoke editor
  • Custom assets
  • Webhooks
  • Webvr support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

KiCad

  • A hardware startup designing a multi-layer board without paying for an Altium seatnot Mozilla Hubs
  • A university teaching PCB design where per-student licences are unaffordablenot Mozilla Hubs
  • An open hardware project that needs design files anyone can open and modifynot Mozilla Hubs
  • An engineer prototyping a board at home who needs commercial rights on the outputnot Mozilla Hubs

Mozilla Hubs

  • VR Gamingnot KiCad
  • AR Marketingnot KiCad
  • Virtual Trainingnot KiCad
  • 3D Visualizationnot KiCad
  • Immersive Experiencesnot KiCad

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

KiCad

  • There is no vendor obligation behind the free software, so a blocking bug is escalated to a volunteer community unless you separately buy a contract from KiCad Services Corporation.
  • High speed design support, including advanced constraint management, differential pair and impedance tooling, remains behind Altium and Cadence, which matters as soon as boards carry fast interfaces.
  • Rigid-flex and complex stack-up design is weak, so products with flex circuits usually need a commercial package.
  • Component library and part sourcing integrations are thinner than the commercial tools, so parts data and availability checking is manual work someone has to own.
  • Multi-engineer design data management is not provided; teams end up assembling Git workflows themselves, and merge handling on binary-adjacent design files is awkward.

Mozilla Hubs

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Mozilla Hubs' homepage on 31 December 2022 priced the Early Access Hub at $20 USD/month for unlimited spaces, 25 online guest capacity, and 2GB asset storage; the product's own support URL now redirects to a page titled 'end-support-mozilla-hubs', indicating the service has since been discontinued.

Pricing, plan by plan

KiCad

Free
  • KiCadFree
    • Full suite under GPL
    • No board size, layer or component limits
    • Commercial use permitted
  • Commercial support$undefined/year
    • Support contracts sold separately by KiCad Services Corporation
    • Priority issue handling and consulting
    • Not included with the free software

Mozilla Hubs

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Public rooms
    • Avatar customization
    • Screen sharing

Which should you pick?

Choose KiCad if

  • You need schematic capture.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want pcb layout.
KiCad review

Choose Mozilla Hubs if

  • You need browser-based vr.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Webvr, Web, Vr, Mobile.
  • You also want room creation.
Mozilla Hubs review

Questions people ask

Is KiCad or Mozilla Hubs better?
Neither clearly leads. KiCad starts at Free and Mozilla Hubs at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KiCad or Mozilla Hubs?
KiCad starts at Free and Mozilla Hubs at Free.
Does KiCad or Mozilla Hubs run on more platforms?
KiCad runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Mozilla Hubs runs on Webvr, Web, Vr, Mobile.
Can I use KiCad for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is KiCad best used for?
KiCad is most often used for a hardware startup designing a multi-layer board without paying for an altium seat, a university teaching pcb design where per-student licences are unaffordable, an open hardware project that needs design files anyone can open and modify, an engineer prototyping a board at home who needs commercial rights on the output. Of those, a hardware startup designing a multi-layer board without paying for an altium seat and a university teaching pcb design where per-student licences are unaffordable are not what Mozilla Hubs is typically brought in for.
What can KiCad do that Mozilla Hubs cannot?
KiCad covers Schematic capture, PCB layout, No design limits, 3D viewer. Mozilla Hubs covers Browser-based VR, Room creation, Avatar system, Spatial audio.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

KiCad: Is KiCad really free for commercial work?

Yes. It is GPL licensed with no restriction on commercial use, board size, layer count or component count.

KiCad: Can I buy support?

Yes, but not from the project. KiCad Services Corporation sells commercial support contracts separately; CERN moved to exactly that arrangement after ending its donation programme.

KiCad: How is development funded?

Through donations and sponsors administered via The Linux Foundation, plus contributed engineering time.

KiCad: Is it good enough to replace Altium?

For most low and medium speed boards yes. For high speed, rigid-flex and heavily constrained designs, the commercial tools still hold a clear lead.

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