What you can do with pulpCircuit
- Draw the schematic. A library of everyday parts (passives, transistors, regulators, ESP32, RP2040, ATmega328P, sensors, connectors) with footprints calculated to IPC rules.
- Check before you route. The ERC flags floating pins, isolated nets and conflicting outputs, and the bill of materials builds itself.
- Simulate the circuit. DC operating point and transient analysis: LEDs light up on the schematic during playback.
- Place and route automatically. Auto-placement arranges the parts (decoupling close to the ICs, connectors on the edge), automatic routing lays the tracks on 2 or 4 layers, and a ground plane is one click away.
- Check manufacturability. The DRC compares the board with JLCPCB, PCBWay or OSH Park capabilities.
- See the board in 3D. Top, bottom and perspective views, with GLB or STL export.
- Download a package ready to order. RS-274X Gerbers, Excellon drill files, BOM and pick-and-place file, read back by the built-in viewer before you get them.
- Carry on in the suite. Send the board to pulpCase for its enclosure, to pulpRobot as a part, and to pulpLab to program its pins.
Who is it for?
pulpCircuit is for makers, electronics students, teachers and small teams designing simple to moderately dense boards: a sensor board, a microcontroller module, a motor driver board. Two examples, already placed and routed, let you understand the whole workflow in a few minutes.
If you already use KiCad, you can import your schematics, boards and footprints to review them, check them or produce fabrication files from any computer.
Your files
Projects are saved as .pcircuit files (a lossless ZIP archive), in your browser and, if you wish, on your disk. pulpCircuit imports KiCad 6 to 9 files (.kicad_sch, .kicad_pcb, .kicad_mod) but does not write them back: only the netlist (.net) goes back to KiCad. Hierarchical sub-sheets are not imported. For fabrication it produces a Gerber zip, the BOM and placement files as CSV, and a .pboard file for the other apps in the suite.
File types recognised by pulpCircuit:
- .pcircuit
- .kicad_sch
- .kicad_pcb
- .kicad_mod
Frequently asked questions
Is pulpCircuit an online alternative to KiCad?
For everyday 2- or 4-layer boards, it covers the whole path from schematic to Gerbers. KiCad remains more complete for hierarchical projects, very dense boards and advanced needs, and pulpCircuit does not write its files. The two can live side by side: import into pulpCircuit what you started elsewhere.
Does auto-routing do all the work?
It routes most simple boards in seconds. On a dense board it may leave a few connections: the DRC lists them and you finish them by hand. Always review the result before ordering.
Can I order my board from pulpCircuit?
pulpCircuit prepares the package and opens the manufacturer's quote page. You upload the zip yourself, check the preview, then order and pay on the manufacturer's website. pulpCircuit never orders anything on your behalf.
Are my projects sent to a server?
No. They stay in your browser and on your disk. Only pulpAssist, if you set it up, sends the project content to the service you chose.
Do the checks guarantee a flawless board?
No. The ERC, the DRC and the simulation help you catch mistakes, but they do not replace careful testing or a review by a qualified professional before manufacturing and powering up.