Quick answer: which software should you choose?
For homeowners and DIYers: Electro Planner - free, simple, automatic protection selection, works online
For electricians and designers: Electro Planner or ProfiCAD - depending on drawing needs
For large design firms: AutoCAD Electrical - full CAD capabilities, but high price
If you already want to start inside Electro Planner, go to the electrical installation software page. If you first want the planning workflow, use the electrical design guide.
How this comparison is structured
This page is for comparison intent, not for explaining the full design workflow. The ranking below focuses on four things:
- Speed of getting from idea to usable documentation
- Whether the tool automates technical decisions such as breaker selection
- Whether it is suitable for home/small commercial work without CAD overhead
- Total cost of adoption, including licenses, hardware, and setup time
Comparison of best electrical installation software
Comparison table
| Criterion | Electro Planner | ProfiCAD | AutoCAD Electrical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | ~$100 | ~$2,000/year |
| Works online | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Automatic protection selection | ✓ | ✗ | Partial |
| Automatic phase distribution | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Visual distribution board editor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PDF export | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local standards | ✓ | ✓ | Configurable |
| CAD schematic drawing | Basic | Advanced | Full |
| Ease of use | 5/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 |
1. Electro Planner - best free choice
Electro Planner is the best software for creating electrical projects for home users and professionals looking for a quick solution. It works entirely online, without installation.
Electro Planner advantages:
- Completely free - no hidden costs
- Automatic B10/B16/C16 circuit breaker selection
- Intelligent phase distribution in 3-phase installations
- Visual distribution board editor (DIN rail)
- Complete PDF documentation export
- Works in browser - no installation
Best for:
Homeowners planning installation, electricians needing a quick documentation tool, and teams that want a browser-based workflow instead of traditional CAD setup.
2. ProfiCAD - for advanced drawings
ProfiCAD is a popular desktop program for drawing electrical schematics. It offers more drawing features than Electro Planner but requires installation and license purchase.
Advantages:
- Advanced schematic drawing capabilities
- Large electrical symbol library
- One-time fee (no subscription)
Disadvantages:
- Requires Windows installation
- No automatic protection selection
- Cost ~$100
3. AutoCAD Electrical - for large firms
AutoCAD Electrical is a professional CAD tool from Autodesk. It offers full design capabilities, but its price and learning curve make it suitable mainly for large design firms.
Advantages:
- Full CAD capabilities
- Integration with other Autodesk products
- Industry standard in large design offices
Disadvantages:
- High price (~$2,000/year)
- Steep learning curve
- Requires powerful computer
When to choose each option
- Choose Electro Planner if you want fast planning, automatic device selection, and board-focused documentation.
- Choose ProfiCAD if you primarily need schematic drawing freedom and you are comfortable deciding technical parameters manually.
- Choose AutoCAD Electrical if your team already works in Autodesk workflows and needs enterprise-scale CAD capabilities.
If your next step is breaker sizing or board structure validation, continue with circuit breaker selection and how to design a distribution board.
Try the best electrical installation software
Join thousands of users who chose Electro Planner. Start designing for free - no registration, no installation.
