OrCAD X
OrCAD X is an electronic design automation platform for schematic capture, PCB layout, and circuit simulation, aimed at small and medium-sized businesses des…
What OrCAD X is
OrCAD X is an electronic design automation platform for schematic capture, PCB layout, and circuit simulation, aimed at small and medium-sized businesses designing medium-complexity boards. Its layout tools include interactive and automatic routing, design-rule checks, constraint-driven tools, 3D viewing, and design-for-manufacturing checks. Integrated PSpice supports analog and mixed-signal simulation, including Monte Carlo, worst-case, and sensitivity analyses. Capture connects to Ultra Librarian, SamacSys, and SnapMagic for component symbols and footprints; ECAD/MCAD collaboration supports SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, Siemens NX, Autodesk Fusion, and PTC Creo. Professional and Professional Plus include Live BOM information on component lifecycle, availability, inventory, lead time, alternatives, and pricing. The product has web and Windows platforms with hybrid deployment. The Professional Plus trial lasts 30 days, provides unrestricted access to that tier, and requires no payment details.
Good
- Includes schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation.
- Offers interactive and automatic routing.
- PSpice supports analog and mixed-signal analysis.
- Capture integrates with three component libraries.
- Professional plans include Live BOM information.
Watch out
- Yearly license prices vary by region.
- Single-user cloud licenses allow one active device.
- Basic PSpice simulation has stated data limits.
Who it suits
OrCAD X is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses working on medium-complexity circuit boards. Its simulation and mechanical-design integrations may suit teams that need those workflows alongside PCB design.
Verdict
OrCAD X brings board layout, circuit simulation, and component integrations together for its intended business audience. Check the plan-specific simulation limits and regional license pricing before choosing a tier.
Plans and prices
From OrCAD X's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| OrCAD X Professional | — | Live BOM · team collaboration · automation and high-speed features · integrated SI/PI analysis · up to 50GB cloud storage · yearly single-user license; price varies by region |
| OrCAD X Professional Plus | — | Professional features · advanced PSpice analysis · circuit optimizer · MATLAB Simulink integration · up to 50GB cloud storage · yearly single-user license; price varies by region |
| OrCAD X Standard | — | Essential schematic capture · basic PSpice simulation · up to 10GB cloud storage · yearly single-user license; price varies by region |
The facts
Each one read from OrCAD X's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Circuit simulation
- Integrated PSpice supports analog and mixed-signal simulation, including Monte Carlo, worst-case, and sensitivity analyses.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Component integrations
- OrCAD X Capture integrates with Ultra Librarian, SamacSys, and SnapMagic for component symbols and footprints.checked 2 Oct 2026
- License limits
- Single-user cloud licenses allow installation on up to five computers with only one device active at a time; cloud floating licenses and license borrowing are not supported.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Mechanical integrations
- ECAD/MCAD collaboration supports SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, Siemens NX, Autodesk Fusion, and PTC Creo.checked 2 Oct 2026
- PCB layout
- PCB layout includes interactive and automatic routing, design-rule checks, constraint-driven tools, 3D viewing, and design-for-manufacturing checks.checked 2 Oct 2026
- PSpice limits
- Standard and Professional PSpice Basic simulation is limited to 250 nodes or devices, one million transient data points, or 10,000 sweep data points, whichever is reached first.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OrCAD X is an AI-enabled electronic design automation platform for schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation, aimed at small to medium-sized businesses designing medium-complexity boards.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- OrCAD X OnCloud describes enterprise-grade encryption, access controls, and audit trails, while the FAQ says Cadence OnCloud uses layered security and Defense-in-Depth principles.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Supply chain
- OrCAD X Professional and Professional Plus include Live BOM with real-time component lifecycle, availability, inventory, lead-time, alternatives, and pricing information.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- Premium support offers major and minor product updates, OnCloud access, and phone and case-based technical support; community forums and online training are also available.checked 2 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Desktop platform
- OrCAD X desktop supports 64-bit Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise and Windows 11 Professional or Enterprise, plus Windows Server 2019 and 2022.checked 2 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1988checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- San Jose, California, USAchecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- Cadence Design Systems, Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, California, and was founded in 1988.checked 2 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial
- The commercial Professional Plus trial lasts 30 days, provides unrestricted access to that tier, and requires no payment details; the academic license lasts six months.checked 2 Oct 2026
