# Best Cloud-Based PCB Design Software in 2026 Compare cloud PCB design software for collaboration, offline access, version history, permissions, and pricing models across seven tools in 2026. Written by [Flux](#) Published Oct 2026 - 7 min read ![Best Cloud-Based PCB Design Software in 2026](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/best-cloud-pcb-design-software/main.webp) Cloud PCB design software can run in a browser, connect desktop design tools to collaboration services, or provide revision review for PCB files. Last updated: October 27, 2026 ## Key Takeaways - “Cloud PCB design” can mean a browser-based editor or a cloud service connected to desktop design software. - Compare live collaboration, offline access, revision history, permissions, and what the cloud service stores. - KiCad is a desktop tool; teams can add cloud review and revision management through a separate workflow such as CADLAB. - Choose a product with a pilot that includes a schematic, a board, a review, and a manufacturing handoff. ## Cloud PCB design software compared Cloud PCB software ranges from browser-based design tools to services that manage desktop projects or provide version review. The table separates those roles. | Tool | Best for | Key strength | Main limit | Real-time collaboration | Offline use | Price model | Platform | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/eda) | Browser-based shared PCB design | AI agent, real-time editing, and comments | Browser workflow; internet connection required | Same-project editing and comments | Internet connection required | Free plan to start | Browser | | [Altium Develop](https://www.altium.com/develop) | Cloud collaboration around Altium design data | Altium Designer plus Altium 365 workspace | [Windows desktop design application](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/installation-management/system-requirements) | Shared reviews and comments | Desktop design; cloud services need internet | [Subscription; free 30-day access](https://www.altium.com/develop/pricing) | Desktop design with cloud workspace | | [EasyEDA Pro](https://pro.easyeda.com/) | Online schematic and PCB editing | Browser design and component libraries | Browser and desktop client | Team collaboration features | Desktop option | Free tier plus paid plans | Browser and desktop client | | [OrCAD X OnCloud](https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/tools/pcb-design-and-analysis/orcad.html) | Cloud data management for OrCAD X teams | Centralized design data and real-time collaboration | Desktop design connected to cloud services | Real-time collaboration | Desktop design; cloud features need internet | Contact sales | Desktop design with cloud service | | [Upverter](https://upverter.com/) | Browser-based board design and team workflows | PCB design, schematics, routing, and 3D preview | Browser-based design | Browser sharing and design review | Internet access required | Free design tools; paid board orders | Browser | | [CADLAB](https://cadlab.io/) | Version control and review for PCB files, not design software | Git-based history, visual diffs, and annotations | PCB file review, not design software | Online revision review | Cloud service; self-hosted option | No public price listed | Cloud or self-hosted | | [KiCad with a cloud workflow](https://www.kicad.org/) | Open-source desktop design with separate cloud review | KiCad design files plus Git-based history | Desktop application | Separate service required | Local desktop work | Free and open source; services vary | Desktop plus separate cloud tools | ## Flux: browser-based real-time collaboration Flux (flux.ai) is an AI hardware engineer that works in the browser. Its AI agent plans a design, picks real parts from datasheets, draws the schematic, places and routes the board, and runs electrical rule checks (ERC) and design rule checks (DRC) as it works. The team edits the same project in real time and leaves comments. Each project can be shared by link. The parts library has 734,000+ public parts with live pricing and availability. Flux imports KiCad, Altium, EAGLE, EasyEDA, and PADS projects with layout included. Flux exports Gerber, IPC-2581, ODB++, BOM, pick-and-place, and STEP files. The [collaborative PCB design guide](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/collaborative-pcb-design) and [Flux for teams](https://www.flux.ai/p/teams) describe team workflows. Flux runs in the browser and needs an internet connection; it has no offline mode. Long-standing Cadence or Siemens flows (custom libraries, scripts, PLM hooks) need a migration period. Flux has a free plan to start; see [Flux pricing](https://www.flux.ai/p/pricing). ## Altium Develop: best for a cloud workspace around Altium projects [Altium 365](https://www.altium.com/platform) is a cloud platform for electronics product development and collaboration. Altium describes it as connecting design, supply chain, manufacturing, and other team roles. It is not a standalone schematic editor; it connects Altium Designer projects with shared workspace reviews, comments, and version history. ## EasyEDA Pro: best for online design with a desktop option [EasyEDA Pro](https://pro.easyeda.com/) offers online schematic and PCB design and a desktop client. EasyEDA describes component libraries, interactive routing, team collaboration, cloud-based design data, and a cloud-to-factory workflow with manufacturing services. Its product pages distinguish online work from the desktop client's local and offline options. ## OrCAD X OnCloud: best for cloud data management with OrCAD X [Cadence OrCAD X OnCloud](https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/tools/pcb-design-and-analysis/orcad.html) is described as a cloud-native PCB data-management platform. Cadence lists centralized access to designs, libraries, and data, plus real-time team collaboration, design review, library creation, and version control. OrCAD X also includes desktop design products. ## Upverter: best for browser-based design workflows [Upverter's active product page](https://upverter.com/) describes a modular, web-based tool for PCB design, schematics, automated routing, and 3D preview. Its website also offers board ordering and browser-based design sharing. ## CADLAB: best for visual revision review [CADLAB is a Git-based version-control and review tool for PCB files, not design software.](https://cadlab.io/) It displays revisions online, shows visual differences, and supports interactive annotations for design review. CADLAB lists GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Gitea, and self-hosted integrations; design editing remains in a separate EDA application. ## KiCad with a cloud workflow: best for open-source teams [KiCad](https://www.kicad.org/) is free, open-source EDA software for desktop schematic and PCB design. The editor can be paired with a separate cloud service or Git host for sharing and revision history. [CADLAB](https://cadlab.io/) describes online visual review for PCB project revisions. This option separates design work from collaboration infrastructure. Teams can keep their chosen desktop editor while setting up access, review, and revision history in another service. That flexibility means the team must define how it stores project files, resolves changes, and grants access. ## How to choose cloud PCB software First decide whether you need a browser editor or cloud services connected to desktop software. A browser editor can reduce local installation work, while a cloud platform can share data from a desktop design environment. The labels alone do not show which steps run online or which still need a local application. Next, map the design workflow. Include schematic capture, component selection, PCB placement, routing, review, revision history, and manufacturing output. Ask which activities happen in the same project and which require a separate service. Include library ownership and external collaborators in the map. Check offline needs before selecting a tool. Some products offer local desktop applications, while their cloud collaboration features require a network connection. Ask whether engineers need to continue a design during travel, at a lab with restricted access, or under a customer network policy. Review permissions and project ownership. Identify who can see, edit, comment on, or share a design. Ask how external collaborators receive access and how the team removes it when a project ends. Verify current controls from product documentation instead of assuming every cloud workspace uses the same model. Finally, test version history. Create a change, compare it with the prior revision, and restore or branch the design if the workflow supports it. Agree on how the release revision is marked and how manufacturing files are generated from that version. A short pilot should include a real design, two reviewers, and one manufacturing handoff. Record how long each task takes and where engineers need extra steps. Use the pilot results to compare the tools against the team's requirements rather than comparing feature names in isolation. ## FAQs ### Best PCB design software for team collaboration in electronic design automation? [Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/eda) supports real-time editing and comments in a shared browser project. [Altium Develop](https://www.altium.com/develop) and [OrCAD X OnCloud](https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/tools/pcb-design-and-analysis/orcad.html) connect desktop PCB design to cloud collaboration services. ### Which company provides the best cloud-based PCB design tool for hardware teams? The right company depends on whether the team needs a browser editor, cloud service for desktop design, or visual version review. Options include [Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/eda), [Altium](https://www.altium.com/develop), [Cadence](https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/tools/pcb-design-and-analysis/orcad.html), [EasyEDA](https://pro.easyeda.com/), [Upverter](https://upverter.com/), and [CADLAB](https://cadlab.io/). ### What is the difference between cloud PCB software and browser PCB software? Browser PCB software runs its design interface in a web browser. Cloud PCB software may also refer to data management or collaboration that connects to a desktop editor. Check where each design task runs. ### Which cloud PCB tool supports version history? Cadence lists version control for OrCAD X OnCloud, and CADLAB describes Git-based visual version control. KiCad teams can use a separate Git workflow. Check how revisions are stored and reviewed for the product plan you select. ### Does Flux work without an internet connection? Flux runs in the browser and needs an internet connection. Long-standing Cadence or Siemens flows (custom libraries, scripts, PLM hooks) need a migration period. Let’s start building Build your big idea together with Flux. All you need to do is describe what you want to make, or what problem you want to solve. Flux will work with you to make it a reality. ![Close-up photo of a PCB made with Flux, with an ESP32 module, buttons, and a microSD slot.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/miscellaneous/sidebar-cta-pcb.webp) [Try it Free](https://www.flux.ai/signup) ## More in Tool Comparisons & Migrations [ ![AI Assistance Inside ECAD Tools: What PCB Designers Can Do in 2026](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/does-ai-exist-in-all-ecad-tools/main.webp) ### AI Assistance Inside ECAD Tools: What PCB Designers Can Do in 2026 10 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/ai-assistance-inside-every-ecad-tools)[ ![A comparison of the best PCB design software in 2026 including Flux, Altium Designer, KiCad, and Fusion 360](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/best-pcb-design-software-2026/main.webp) ### Best PCB Design Software in 2026: A Guide for Hardware Teams 9 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/best-pcb-design-software-2026)[ ![Screenshots of three PCB design applications, with a Flux board-layout workspace in the center](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/best-pcb-design-software-2026/main.webp) ### How to Choose PCB Design Software: A 2026 Buyer's Checklist 12 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/how-to-choose-pcb-design-software)[ ![Illustration showing Git-style version control applied to PCB hardware design with branching and revision history](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/git-for-hardware/main.webp) ### Is Flux Ready for Professional PCB Projects? (2026) 6 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/flux-for-professional-pcb-projects)[ ![Electrical, mechanical, and firmware engineers collaborating on a shared hardware design.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/hardware-team-collaboration/main.webp) ### Enterprise AI PCB Design Software: What to Evaluate in 2026 6 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/enterprise-ai-pcb-design-software)[ ![Technical illustration of a PCB design transitioning from an EAGLE project to a modern design workspace](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/eagle-alternative/main.webp) ### Autodesk EAGLE Alternative: What to Switch To and How to Migrate (2026) 8 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/eagle-alternative)[ ![simulated electronic circuit in Flux displaying various components, their interconnections and inline outputs..](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/simulation-software/main.webp) ### Circuit Simulation Software: Features, Benefits, and How to Choose 3 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/what-makes-good-circuit-simulation-software-factors-to-consider-in-2026)[ ![Flux, an end to end PCB design tool shown with a very complex linux card project](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/8-principles-when-choosing-your-pcb-design-tool/main.webp) ### The 8 Principles of Choosing Cloud-Based Software for PCB Design 6 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/8-principles-of-choosing-cloud-based-software-for-pcb-design)[ ![Why Dr. Juergen Kienhoefer switched to Flux after 15 years of Eagle](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/case-study-dr-juergen-kienhoefer/main.webp) ### Why Dr. Juergen Kienhoefer switched to Flux after 15 years of Eagle 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/why-dr-juergen-kienhoefer-switched-to-flux-after-15-years-of-eagle) See All (9) ## Let’s start building. Let’s build your idea together. All you need to do is describe what you want to make, or what problem you want to solve. Flux will work with you to make it a reality. [Try it Free](https://www.flux.ai/signup) ![Close-up of a Flux-designed printed circuit board](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/mission-visual.webp)