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CAD · head to head

KiCad vs Phaser

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
Phaser logo

Phaser

Game Development

Fast, free, and fun open source framework for Canvas and WebGL

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.; Phaser the Phaser framework is open source but Phaser Editor is a commercial product at $12 per month
  • They diverge on capability: KiCad covers Schematic capture, Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KiCad and Phaser actually diverge.

Attributes where KiCad and Phaser differ
AttributeKiCadPhaser
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryCADGame Development
FoundedUnknown2013

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 Phaser

  • Canvas and WebGL rendering
  • Physics engine (Arcade)
  • Input handling
  • Animation system
  • Audio support
  • Particle effects
  • Tilemaps
  • Event system

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 Phaser
  • A university teaching PCB design where per-student licences are unaffordablenot Phaser
  • An open hardware project that needs design files anyone can open and modifynot Phaser
  • An engineer prototyping a board at home who needs commercial rights on the outputnot Phaser

Phaser

  • Game development with JavaScriptnot KiCad
  • Interactive creative tools for developersnot KiCad
  • Professional game engine for studiosnot 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.

Phaser

  • The Phaser framework is open source but Phaser Editor is a commercial product at $12 per month
  • Phaser Editor stops working when the licence expires
  • No free trial of Phaser Editor is offered
  • AI tools in the free Phaser suite require purchasing credits
  • SSO through Google Workspace, private support and Editor source code availability are Enterprise only, which is custom priced and requires contacting sales
  • No educational discounts are offered
  • Subscription cancellations are not refunded pro rata

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

Phaser

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 25+ creative & coding tools
    • AI tools require credit purchases
  • Phaser Editor$12/month
    • professional development tools
    • requires active subscription

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 Phaser if

  • You need canvas and webgl rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want physics engine (arcade).
Phaser review

Questions people ask

Is KiCad or Phaser better?
Neither clearly leads. KiCad starts at Free and Phaser at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, KiCad or Phaser?
KiCad starts at Free and Phaser at Free.
Does KiCad or Phaser run on more platforms?
KiCad runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Phaser runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Phaser is typically brought in for.
What can KiCad do that Phaser cannot?
KiCad covers Schematic capture, PCB layout, No design limits, 3D viewer. Phaser covers Canvas and WebGL rendering, Physics engine (Arcade), Input handling, Animation system.

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.

Phaser: How much does Phaser Editor cost?

$12 per month. Users must have an active subscription to use the editor.

Source
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.

Phaser: Is there a free trial for Phaser Editor?

No, Phaser does not provide a free trial. Access begins immediately upon subscription.

Source
KiCad: How is development funded?

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

Phaser: Can I cancel my subscription and get a refund?

Subscriptions can be cancelled anytime. Access continues until the end of the billing period, but no pro-rata refunds are issued.

Source
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.

Phaser: Can I transfer my Phaser license to someone else?

Yes, users can transfer an active license or subscription to another registered Phaser user completely free.

Source
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