TinyCAD

TinyCAD is a free, open-source schematic capture tool for drawing circuit diagrams, with both installed and browser-based editions. It suits students, hobbyists, and engineers who need structured schematics and export files without a subscription, provided they are prepared to verify designs themselves.

Overview

TinyCAD v4 is available as a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, while TinyCAD Web runs on Windows, Mac, Chromebooks, and Linux through a browser. The two editions share the .dsn drawing and .tclib symbol-library formats, so a project can move between desktop and browser workflows without a format conversion. Offline use is supported through the desktop software and the browser's local-file mode.

Local-file mode keeps drawings on the device and sends no work or other files to TinyCAD servers. A Google Drive mode stores drawings in the user's Drive and requires permission to access Google files; TinyCAD says that mode also sends no work or other files to its servers. The project uses Google Analytics to measure site-usage volumes. TinyCAD is community-driven and supplied as-is, with possible bugs or incomplete features, so backups and independent checking are part of using it responsibly.

Key features

Multi-sheet drawings, labels, buses, shapes, annotations, drawing search, undo and redo, and automatic junction placement cover the essential work of building and maintaining circuit schematics. These tools make TinyCAD suitable for organized diagrams that would outgrow a single-page sketch, while remaining focused on capture rather than full electrical simulation or automated design validation.

Design Rules Check can identify common wiring and pin-type errors, which is useful for catching routine connectivity mistakes before export. It does not establish that a circuit functions correctly, so it cannot replace engineering review or other verification.

Netlist generation supports handoff to PCB-layout and downstream tools in PADS, Eagle SCR, Protel, and gEDA PCB formats. SPICE output works in both desktop and browser editions. VHDL output is available only in the desktop app, an important distinction for hardware-description workflows. Both editions export SVG images; the browser edition additionally exports PDF. Symbol import from KiCad is supported in both versions, easing reuse of existing libraries.

Pricing

TinyCAD: free (free-of-charge open-source project, supplied as-is). There are no paid tiers, seat charges, quotas, renewal dates, or trial conversion terms. That makes it a straightforward choice for classrooms, personal projects, and teams that can accept community-supported software. The trade-off is that the free project does not come with a commercial service commitment, and incomplete features or bugs remain possible.

Platforms

The desktop application targets Windows, macOS, and Linux. TinyCAD Web runs in modern browser environments intended for Windows, Mac, Chromebooks, and Linux, and can work with local files or Google Drive. Browser use avoids installation and supports PDF export, but it does not provide VHDL output. A quick-start page links to a Discord support community.

Who it's for

TinyCAD fits makers, students, educators, and electronics developers who need multi-sheet schematic capture, symbol reuse, and netlists or simulation-oriented output at no cost. It is especially practical when the same project must be opened on different operating systems or in a browser. Look elsewhere if you require guaranteed functional verification, a vendor-backed support contract, or a polished commercial lifecycle; the project is community-driven and its checks are limited to common classes of errors.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free and open source: the complete plan costs nothing, with no subscription or seat terms.
• Desktop and browser parity: shared .dsn and .tclib formats simplify moving projects between installations and web sessions.
• Useful downstream exports: netlists, SPICE, SVG, and browser PDF output support later PCB, simulation, documentation, and sharing work.
• Privacy-conscious browser modes: local-file storage keeps work on the device, while Drive mode keeps drawings in the user's own Drive.

Cons

• Checks are not functional proof: Design Rules Check can miss behavior-level faults, so designs need independent verification.
• VHDL is desktop-only: browser users cannot produce that output.
• As-is project status: bugs or incomplete features are possible, and users are advised to back up their work.
• Analytics are present: TinyCAD uses Google Analytics for site-usage volumes.

Alternatives

Browse the 2D CAD Software category when you want a wider field of drafting tools. Choose RoomSketcher instead for floor plans and 3D snapshots on mobile and desktop, with a freemium credit model. ProfiCAD is a better fit if you want a Windows/macOS desktop schematic package with a 30-day full-feature trial and a home license option.

Pick CMS IntelliCAD for DWG, DXF, and DWF-oriented 2D/3D CAD and paid professional plans. LiberoDraft is another free browser-based 2D CAD choice that saves drawings locally but requires registration to unlock its start link. LibreCAD offers free open-source 2D CAD without subscriptions or annual fees, while QElectroTech provides a zero-cost GNU/GPL option for electrical diagrams.

Choose AutoCAD when you need a paid, cross-platform commercial CAD suite with mobile, web, and desktop coverage. Draft it suits Windows users seeking an indefinitely free edition with printing and metric or imperial units, plus paid upgrades.

Verdict

TinyCAD is a strong choice for cost-conscious users who need genuine schematic structure, cross-platform access, and practical export paths. Its main reason to choose it is the combination of open-source pricing and shared desktop/browser formats; its main reason to look elsewhere is the community-supported, as-is model and the fact that rule checks cannot confirm a circuit's real-world correctness.