# Flux vs Kimi: Research, documents, and 3D Make. One complete device in Flux. Compare Flux and Kimi for hardware work. Kimi combines chat with agent tools for research, documents, and 3D creation. Flux is an AI hardware engineer for complete devices. Kimi can plan multi-step work, create documents, and generate 3D models and 3D-print files. Flux connects electronics and mechanical design in one live project, then checks the design for your team. [Start Free Trial](https://www.flux.ai/signup) [Book a Demo](https://www.flux.ai/p/demo) ![Flux editor: the AI engineer plans and delegates tasks while the 3D view shows the complete device: enclosure, circuit board, and wiring](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-hero-device.webp) ## What Flux and Kimi are ### What Flux is Flux is an AI hardware engineer that connects the circuit, board, enclosure, firmware, and manufacturing work. Your team reviews the design in one live project, with built-in engineering checks. ### What Kimi is Kimi is an AI assistant from Moonshot AI. Its features include Agent, Slides, Deep Research, 3D Make, and scheduled tasks.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) Agent mode plans and completes multi-step tasks with tools such as a file system, browser, terminal, and code. It can create Word, PDF, Excel, and PowerPoint files.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) ## What Kimi does ### Plan multi-step work Kimi Agent uses more than 20 tools to plan and complete multi-step tasks.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) ### Create files from research Agent mode can produce Word, PDF, Excel, and PowerPoint files.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) ### Generate 3D models 3D Make creates 3D models and 3D-print files from a prompt or sketch.[\[4\]](#compare-source-4) ## A hardware project from prompt to manufacturing files. Kimi supports multi-step tasks, documents, and 3D Make. Flux is an AI hardware engineer for the whole device. It connects the schematic, PCB, mechanical design, firmware, simulation, and manufacturing files in one live project. ![An engineer holds a relay board in a blue 3D-printed enclosure](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/compare-photo-1008346.webp) Flux products combine electronics and mechanical parts. Flux compared with Kimi | Feature | Flux | Kimi | | --- | --- | --- | | Requirements and specification | The AI engineer turns your idea into requirements and a product specification, and checks the design against them. | Plans and completes multi-step tasks.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) | | What it is | AI hardware engineer with native tools for the full device | AI assistant with Agent, Slides, and Deep Research.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Where it runs | Works in your browser with no software to install. Projects stay in the cloud. | Web app with agent tools for files, browser, and terminal.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) | | Who does the design work | The Flux agent. Your engineers review and edit. | People direct Agent tasks and review the outputs.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) | | Schematic and parts | Built in. Choose from 734,000+ public parts. | No built-in schematic design workspace.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Board layout and routing | Built in | No built-in board layout and routing workspace.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Placement and routing | The AI engineer places the parts and routes the board like an experienced designer. Your engineers review and edit. | No built-in PCB trace-routing tools.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | High-speed design | The AI engineer routes differential pairs and length-matched buses such as DDR, tunes length and skew, fans out BGAs with blind, buried, and microvias, and sets trace impedance from your stackup. It checks the routed board with S-parameters, TDR, eye diagrams, and crosstalk analysis. Your engineers review and edit. | No built-in PCB signal-integrity analysis.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Parts and sourcing | 734,000+ public parts, with live prices and stock from distributors | No built-in electronics parts library.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Simulation and design rule checks | Circuit SPICE, power delivery network, full-wave electromagnetic, signal integrity, thermal, and mechanical simulation, plus design rule checks. | No built-in hardware simulation workspace.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Firmware | Creates firmware for the board it designs | Agent mode can work with code and terminal tools.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) | | Wiring harnesses | Built in. Flux designs the wiring harnesses between the boards: connectors, pinouts, and wires, in the same project. | No built-in wire-harness design workspace.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Manufacturing files | Create Gerber, ODB++, IPC-2581, bill of materials, pick-and-place, and more; Flux can check the files before you order. It checks copper gaps, silkscreen, the board outline, BOM, and pick-and-place files. | No built-in hardware manufacturing-file workflow.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Quotes and orders | Quotes and orders for boards, 3D printing, CNC machining, and wire harnesses, from the project. | No built-in hardware quoting or ordering workflow.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Import from other tools | Imports complete projects from Altium, OrCAD and Allegro, KiCad, PADS and Xpedition, CADSTAR, Eagle, Fusion Electronics, EasyEDA, DipTrace, and SOLIDWORKS PCB. Flux imports Labcenter Proteus SDF netlists with Specctra board exports. IPC-2581 revision B and C files become board projects with reusable footprint parts. | No built-in EDA project importer.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Versions, branches, and merges | Full change history. The AI engineer forks a design into a second version, keeps both, and merges the changes that you pick. | No native hardware design version history.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Who reviews the work | Electrical, layout, mechanical, and firmware engineers review one live browser project. | You prompt the assistant and review its responses.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Product images, videos, and documents | Product images, product videos, datasheets, and regulatory documents, made from the design in the project. | Agent can create Word, PDF, Excel, and PowerPoint files.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) | | Mechanical CAD | Kernel-agnostic mechanical CAD, from an enclosure to a robot arm. | 3D Make generates 3D models and 3D-print files from a prompt or sketch.[\[4\]](#compare-source-4) | | Mechanical simulation | Finite-element stress, thermal, and airflow simulation | No built-in mechanical simulation workspace.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Mechanical manufacturing | STEP, STL, and 3MF files, plus quotes for 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal, and laser cutting | No built-in mechanical manufacturing workflow.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | CNC toolpaths and G-code | The AI engineer writes the toolpaths, the G-code, a toolpath preview, and a setup sheet for the parts that it designed. | No built-in CNC toolpath or G-code workflow.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | AI models | Frontier models from several providers, including Claude, OpenAI, and Gemini models | Kimi AI models, including K3.1 Pro[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Tool licenses | Your Flux plan includes the editor, mechanical CAD, parts data, simulation, and manufacturing files. | Kimi Code shares the Agent credit pool.[\[3\]](#compare-source-3) | | Team knowledge and rules | Set team rules once. Flux applies them across projects and checks each design against those rules. | Agent mode can work with files.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) | | Parallel work | Flux advances work across projects in parallel and shares progress. Major changes pause for approval. | Agent Swarm runs up to 300 agents in parallel.[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) | Orchestration ## Bring electrical and mechanical work together. Flux keeps a product requirement, board, enclosure, and firmware in the same hardware project. ### Start with one project brief Flux links hardware disciplines to the same product goal. ### Keep physical parts aligned Board mounting holes and connectors inform the enclosure design. ### Make progress visible Your team can review active designs and changes in one workspace. ### Share decisions Design comments and revisions remain with the live project. Example ### A board with a 3D-printed enclosure Flux keeps the board outline, mounting points, and connectors aligned with the enclosure. Electrical and mechanical engineers can review the complete assembly together. Built for teams ## Keep the product design in a shared workspace. Flux runs in the browser and gives your team one live place to design and review hardware. - ### Shared design files Keep project content, revisions, and comments in one place. - ### Team engineering knowledge Make approved parts and design decisions available across projects. - ### Continue a teammate's work Review AI output and continue work from the shared project. - ### No local CAD setup Open a project in the browser to begin work. - ### Voice interaction Speak with Flux from your phone or computer. ![Engineer holding a finished board in its enclosure, designed with Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/engineer-card-3.webp) Customizable ## Give Flux your team's design rules. Add engineering guidance and link Flux with the services your group uses. ### Organization knowledge Save design standards and selected parts for every project. ### Layout constraints Tell Flux the board requirements and fabrication limits to check. ### MCP and APIs Connect compatible services and team web APIs to Flux. ### Private credentials Manage API keys at the organization level without showing them to the AI engineer. ### Live project pages Build project utilities for a power budget, hardware checklist, or 3D assembly. ### External AI tools Use Flux through Claude Code, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible agents. Connect Flux to your existing services. - ![Onshape](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/onshape.svg) Onshape - ![Autodesk Fusion](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/autodesk-mark.svg) Autodesk Fusion - ![PTC Windchill](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/ptc.svg) PTC Windchill - ![Siemens Teamcenter](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/siemens.svg) Siemens Teamcenter - ![Arena PLM](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/arena.svg) Arena PLM - ![OpenBOM](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/openbom.svg) OpenBOM - ![Duro](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/duro.png) Duro - ![GitHub](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/github.svg) GitHub - ![GitLab](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/gitlab.svg) GitLab - ![Memfault](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/memfault-wordmark.svg) Memfault - ![Golioth](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/golioth.svg) Golioth - ![Particle](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/particle.svg) Particle - ![Nordic nRF Cloud](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/nordicsemiconductor.svg) Nordic nRF Cloud - ![Edge Impulse](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/edgeimpulse.svg) Edge Impulse - ![NI SystemLink](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/ni.svg) NI SystemLink - ![SimScale](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/simscale.svg) SimScale - ![Octopart](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/octopart.png) Octopart - ![SiliconExpert](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/siliconexpert.svg) SiliconExpert ## Make the whole device part of the design ### Keep hardware work connected Flux links the schematic, PCB, enclosure, firmware, and factory files to one product requirement. ### Use the full design environment Electrical and mechanical work happen with Flux tools in the same live workspace. ### Start with integrated checks Simulation, design rule checks, and datasheet verification are available in Flux. ### Find parts from a large library Flux includes 734,000+ public parts and live information from distributors. ### Review the design before release Check circuit behavior, board rules, and component specifications before manufacturing. ### Work with your engineering team Share the live project with engineers and reviewers through team access controls. Model-agnostic AI ## Choose from multiple model providers Flux runs frontier models from several providers, including Claude, OpenAI, and Gemini models. Adaptive model selection chooses a capable model for each engineering task and helps deliver frontier performance at 30% lower cost. - OpenAI - Anthropic - Google Gemini - More as they ship Adaptive model selection ### Get frontier performance at 30% lower cost. Flux selects a capable model for the engineering task with the price in view. Your team can focus on the device while Flux provides the model flexibility. ### Frontier AI models - Reasoning - Planning - Language ### Flux engineering harness - CAD and EDA tools - Project context - Simulation - Design rules ### Working hardware - Schematics - Boards - Enclosures - Firmware - Fab files - Product videos ### Use several model providers Select from frontier models offered by different providers in Flux. ### Keep project tools with the model Flux provides design tools, project context, and standard hardware flows. ### Change models without changing tools Your engineers keep the same design environment when models are updated. ### Avoid one-provider dependence Flux stays open to multiple providers for the work your team needs to do. ### Choose by capability and price Adaptive model selection considers the needs of the engineering task and the model cost. One platform ## One AI engineer for every part of the product. Kimi Agent and 3D Make support multi-step work and 3D outputs. Flux connects electrical and mechanical engineering to a single product design. 1. ![USB-C power input schematic in Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-usbc-power-schematic.webp) ### [Electrical engineering](https://www.flux.ai/p/eda) Define requirements, select parts, capture schematics, and simulate circuit behavior. 2. ![Routed board layout of the ESP32 x86 PC in Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-x86-layout.webp) ### PCB layout Place and route the board, set stackups, and run checks before fabrication. 3. ![Boards, enclosure, and mounts in one model](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-device-cutaway.webp) ### [Mechanical design](https://www.flux.ai/p/mcad) Create enclosures and mounts around the PCB. Import STEP models and use the shared library for electronic and mechanical parts. 4. ![STM32 current-loop firmware that Flux wrote and compiled, in a syntax-highlighted code block](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-stm32-current-loop-firmware.webp) ### Firmware Write firmware for the target board, then build and test the code. 5. ![Bill of materials with stock and pricing](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-bom-stock-pricing.webp) ### Manufacturing Use current sourcing data, request vendor quotes, and prepare production files. ![Boards and 3D-printed enclosures made with Flux on a workbench](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/compare-photo-1008550.webp) Flux products combine electronics and mechanical parts. Verification lab ## Verify each part of the design. Flux uses engineering simulation and checks to prepare designs for your team's review. ### Circuit simulation Analyze analog, power, and mixed-signal circuits with SPICE. ### Electromagnetic simulation Check the routed PCB for impedance, coupling, and antenna performance. ### Thermal simulation Review temperature and airflow for the board and enclosure. ### Fluid simulation Study cooling and airflow through enclosure vents and fans. ### Mechanical simulation Analyze stress on mounts, brackets, and enclosures. ### Design rule checks Check schematic and PCB rules for electrical and manufacturing needs. ### Datasheet verification Verify component connections and operating limits against datasheets. ![SPICE load step of a 3.3 V buck converter](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/verification-lab-spice-load-step.webp) SPICE load step of a 3.3 V buck converter ![Thermal map of top and bottom copper](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/verification-lab-copper-thermal.webp) Thermal map of top and bottom copper ![Stress analysis of an aluminum bracket](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/verification-lab-bracket-stress.webp) Stress analysis of an aluminum bracket ![S-parameters of a USB data line, simulated on the routed board](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/verification-lab-usb-line-s-parameters.webp) S-parameters of a USB data line, simulated on the routed board Sourcing ## Choose parts with live supplier data. Flux compares distributor availability and pricing for electronics and mechanical hardware. - ![Digi-Key](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/digikey.svg) Digi-Key - ![LCSC](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/lcsc.svg) LCSC - ![Mouser](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/mouser.svg) Mouser - ![Arrow](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/arrow.svg) Arrow - ![Verical](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/verical.svg) Verical - ![TME](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/tme-wordmark.svg) TME - ![HQonline](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/hqonline.svg) HQonline - ![McMaster-Carr](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/mcmaster.svg) McMaster-Carr - ![MISUMI](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/misumi-wordmark.webp) MISUMI - ![JLCMC](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/jlcmc.svg) JLCMC Manufacturing ## Connect your design to fabricator quotes. Flux requests live pricing for boards, assembly, cables, and mechanical processes as the product design changes. ### Circuit boards and assembly - ![JLCPCB](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/jlcpcb.webp) JLCPCB - ![PCBWay](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/pcbway.svg) PCBWay - ![OSH Park](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/oshpark.webp) OSH Park - ![AISLER](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/aisler.webp) AISLER ### Mechanical parts - ![Craftcloud](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/craftcloud.svg) Craftcloud - ![JLC 3D printing](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/jlcpcb.webp) JLC 3D printing - ![PCBWay 3D printing](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/pcbway.svg) PCBWay 3D printing - ![Shapeways](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/shapeways.svg) Shapeways - ![OSH Cut](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/oshcut.svg) OSH Cut - ![SendCutSend](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/sendcutsend.svg) SendCutSend ### Cables and wiring harnesses - ![MiniProto](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/miniproto.webp) MiniProto ## Keep hardware designs private to your organization. - SOC 2-aligned cloud services - Single sign-on for team access - Permissions for each project - The design stays your intellectual property - Flux does not use customer data for AI training ## Flux pricing - ### Explore See current pricing Trial terms depend on your current offer. - ### Build See current pricing Trial terms depend on your current offer. - ### Pro See current pricing Trial terms depend on your current offer. - ### Teams See current pricing Teams subscriptions start paid. Eligible individual plans include a free trial. Teams subscriptions start paid; trial and pricing terms depend on your current offer. [See all plans](https://www.flux.ai/p/pricing) ## When to use which Use Kimi for research, multi-step tasks, and 3D Make. Choose Flux when the work needs connected electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing design in one project. Flux's AI engineer does design work in hours; the same work without Flux takes days or weeks. ## Questions ### Is Flux tied to one model provider? No. Flux is model agnostic and runs frontier models from several providers, including Claude, OpenAI, and Gemini models. Adaptive model selection chooses a capable model for each engineering task. ### What can Kimi 3D Make create? 3D Make can generate 3D models and 3D-print files from a prompt or sketch. ### What does Flux add for hardware design? Flux connects schematic design, PCB layout, mechanical design, firmware, simulation, and manufacturing files in one live project. ### Do I need a local installation to use Flux? No. Use Flux in your browser. New capabilities and models arrive automatically, so you do not need to update them yourself. ### Can my team contribute to a shared Flux project? Yes. Give teammates a project link so they can edit simultaneously. Single sign-on and project-level permissions manage access. ### Does Flux train on my designs? No. Flux does not train on customer data. Your inputs and outputs remain your intellectual property. ![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/compare-photo-1008414.webp) ## Take the next hardware design into Flux. Compare plan options for your team or arrange a product demo. [Start Free Trial](https://www.flux.ai/signup) [Book a Demo](https://www.flux.ai/p/demo) ## Sources 1. Kimi: [https://www.kimi.com/](https://www.kimi.com/) 2. Kimi Agent overview: [https://www.kimi.com/en/help/agent/agent-overview](https://www.kimi.com/en/help/agent/agent-overview) 3. Kimi Agent features and limits: [https://www.kimi.com/en/help/agent/agent-features-and-limits](https://www.kimi.com/en/help/agent/agent-features-and-limits) 4. Kimi 3D Make overview: [https://www.kimi.com/en/help/3d-make/3d-make-overview](https://www.kimi.com/en/help/3d-make/3d-make-overview)