7 Best Electrical Drawing Softwares in 2025

Every successful electrical project begins with one important step: the diagram. An electrical diagram or drawing is a pictorial form of presenting an electronic circuit visually. When it comes to electrical projects, guessing is never a good idea. That's why professionals rely on detailed electrical diagrams to plan things out. These drawings show everything from wire paths to component placements, so nothing gets missed during the job.

If you're tired of doing things the hard way, it might be time to switch to software. With just a few clicks, you can design clean, organized diagrams that save time and prevent mistakes. I have reviewed 7 best electrical drawing tools to help you get started with confidence.

List of the Best Electrical Drawing Software

Here are the top 7 electrical drawing software which you can use quickly and easily:

• EdrawMax
• ETAP
• AutoCAD Electrical
• SolidWorks Electrical Schematics
• Electra E9
• ProfiCAD
• SmartDraw

1. EdrawMax - Simple and Intuitive

EdrawMax is one of the easiest electrical drawing software to create clean, professional electrical drawings. If you're looking for a simple yet powerful tool to create electrical diagrams, EdrawMax is a great place to start. The tool is designed keeping real users in mind. Be it an electrician, engineer, or just someone trying to map out a circuit, this tool makes drawing easy for everyone. The interface is clean, and everything is drag-and-drop.

It also offers ready-made templates and thousands of electrical symbols. The software works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even in your browser. You can also save your work to the cloud or export it in formats like Visio, PDF, or Word. It's built for convenience.

Key Features

• Cross-platform compatibility: Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Web. You can switch between devices and keep working.
• Free editable templates: Comes with ready-to-use electrical templates to speed up your work.
• Extensive symbol library: Thousands of electrical symbols for easy drag-and-drop diagramming.
• Cloud & export options: Save your files in the cloud and export to PDF, Word, Visio, Excel, PNG, and more.
• Tutorials and guides: Complete step-by-step guides and video tutorials for new users.

Pricing

• Basic (Online Use): Free
• Online-Only Annual Plan: $45/year
• All-Platform Annual Plan (Desktop + Online): $99/year
• Perpetual License (One-time payment): $198

Download Link: https://edrawmax.wondershare.com/

2. ETAP - Best for Comprehensive Power System Analysis

ETAP (Electrical Transient Analyzer Program) is a professional electrical drawing and analysis software used by professionals across the globe. It allows you to simulate, analyze, and optimize entire power networks. That's why it's used in power plants, industrial setups, and other large-scale projects.

It comes with advanced tools for real-time monitoring and detailed system analysis. You can model everything down to the smallest detail. The only drawback is is that it only works on Windows, and there's no completely free offline version. But for professional use, it's a trusted and powerful option.

Key Features

• Advanced electrical modeling tools: Create highly detailed electrical systems with precision using smart CAD features.
• Power system analysis: Includes arc flash analysis, load flow, short circuit, and more.
• Real-time monitoring & simulation: Monitor systems live and simulate performance before real-world execution.
• Custom modules: Offers specialized modules for power plants, substations, renewables, and more.
• Used by industry leaders: It is trusted by engineers in energy, transport, manufacturing, and utilities.

Pricing

• Custom Pricing: Depends on modules and business type
• Contact Sales for Quote: Typically ranges from $700 to several thousand USD per year

Download Link: https://etap.com/

3. AutoCAD Electrical - Corporate Favorite

AutoCAD Electrical is a specialized version of AutoCAD created just for electrical design work. Developed by Autodesk, it's packed with tools that help engineers, designers, and technicians create detailed and accurate electrical control systems. It's perfect for people who already know AutoCAD and want to take their electrical projects to the next level.

This software has automation features like wire numbering, component tagging, and real-time error checking. It also includes a huge library of electrical symbols. However, it's not the easiest tool for beginners, and it's on the expensive side. But if you're a professional, it's worth every penny.

Key Features

• Industry-specific tools: Comes with tools for electrical design like wire numbering, PLC modules, and circuit builder.
• Massive symbol library: Access to 65,000+ electrical symbols to speed up the design process.
• Real-time error checking: Automatically finds and fixes errors while you work.
• Seamless integration with AutoCAD: Works smoothly with other Autodesk tools and AutoCAD files.
• Reports & documentation: Automatically generates BOMs, wire lists, and panel layouts.

Pricing

• Monthly Plan: $260/month
• Annual Plan: $2,095/year
• 3-Year Plan: $6,085 (billed once every three years)
• Free Trial: Available for 30 days

Download Link: https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/included-toolsets/autocad-electrical

4. SolidWorks Electrical Schematics - Powerful Collaboration

If you're working on complex electrical systems and need something powerful, SolidWorks Electrical Schematics might be just what you need. It's designed for engineers and teams who want to create detailed electrical designs and link them directly with 3D models. Sounds complicated? Don't worry! It is made to keep things smooth and accurate.

What really makes SolidWorks stand out is how well it handles collaboration. You and your team can work on the same design in real-time without stepping on each other's toes. Moreover, it comes with tons of ready-made symbols and manufacturer parts, so you don't have to start from scratch. It's not cheap, but if you're part of a serious project, it's definitely worth considering.

Key Features

• 2D + 3D design in one: Create 2D schematics and link them with 3D models for better planning and accuracy.
• Real-time team collaboration: Multiple people can work on the same file at once without messing anything up.
• Symbol & part libraries: Comes loaded with symbols, wires, terminals, and real-world manufacturer parts.
• Auto-generated reports: Automatically builds your BOMs, wire lists, and other documentation as you design.
• Cross-referencing made easy: Changes made in one view show up everywhere else, and no manual updates needed.

Pricing

• One-Time License: Starts at $4,195
• Maintenance & Support: Around $1,000/year
• Pro Version: Pricing depends on the bundle (contact sales for details)
• Free Trial: Available upon request

Download Link: https://www.solidworks.com/product/solidworks-electrical-schematics

5. Electra Cloud / Electra E9 - Fast Automation

Electra has come a long way from its older E8 version. Now, it's split into two powerful options: Electra Cloud and Electra E9. If you like working online and want something fast and easy to use, Electra Cloud is a great choice. You can build electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic diagrams right from your browser without downloading anything. It's smooth, modern, and perfect for solo users or teams who want to collaborate in real-time.

Now, if you're someone who prefers having software on your own system, Electra E9 might be a better fit. It's an offline version with all the same features, just without needing an internet connection. Both versions offer drag-and-drop tools, smart automation like wire tagging and circuit reuse, and professional-looking reports. It's built to save you time and make your work look clean and polished.

Key Features

• Cloud or desktop access: Choose between browser-based Electra Cloud or offline Electra E9.
• Drag-and-drop simplicity: Easy-to-use interface with smart tools and reusable prefab circuits.
• Real-time collaboration: Share drawings, add comments, and version control built-in (Cloud only).
• Comprehensive symbol libraries: Includes electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic symbol sets.
• Automatic BOMs & reports: Instantly generate terminals, wire lists, and cross-reference tables.

Pricing

• Electra Cloud (Personal): $99/month per user
• Electra Cloud (Standard): $999/year per user
• Electra Cloud (Professional): $1,499/year per user
• Electra E9 (Perpetual License): $2,999 one-time payment
• Free Trial: Available

Download Link: https://radicasoftware.com/electra

6. ProfiCAD - Advanced Automation

ProfiCAD is one of those tools that keeps things simple. It is the best tool for students, beginners, or anyone just starting out with electrical design. It's made specifically for creating circuit diagrams, and it also supports pneumatics and hydraulics if you ever need those too.

The interface is simple and beginner-friendly. You don't need to be a tech expert to use it. Just pick your symbols, drop them into the canvas, and connect the lines. It's ideal for home users, students, or anyone who wants a no-stress design experience. It's also lightweight and runs smoothly on most PCs.

Key Features

• Easy interface: Simple and clean layout that's perfect for quick learning and faster drawing.
• Symbol library: It offers built-in symbols for electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic circuits.
• Auto numbering & references: Automatically numbers your wires and adds cross-references to keep things organized.
• Free updates: One-time payment gives you future updates at no extra cost.
• Export & print options: Easily export your diagrams or print them in high quality when you're ready.

Pricing

• Free Version: For non-commercial/personal use
• Single User License: $277 (one-time payment)
• School License: $277
• Website License (multi-user): $877

Download Link: https://www.proficad.com/

7. SmartDraw - For Simple Diagrams

SmartDraw is an all-in-one diagramming tool that allows you to create everything from flowcharts to floor plans, and yes, circuit diagrams too. What makes it great for electrical work is its CAD-like features combined with a super simple interface. You don't need to be an engineer to use it, but it still feels powerful enough for pro-level results.

With SmartDraw, you get access to thousands of templates and symbols. You can create your diagrams online or on desktop, and even collaborate with your team in real-time. It's great for professionals who need flexibility and speed, though it's a bit on the pricier side. And while it doesn't have a native Mac desktop version, it runs perfectly fine on the web.

Key Features

• Ready-to-use templates: Over 4,500 templates for everything from electrical schematics to network diagrams.
• CAD-Like drawing tools: Precision tools that make technical drawing easy, even without CAD experience.
• Team collaboration: Share files, leave comments, and work together in real-time.
• Visio compatibility: Import, edit, and export Visio files easily without needing Visio.
• Online and offline access: Use SmartDraw in your browser or download it on Windows for offline work.

Pricing

• Individual Plan: $9.95/month (billed annually at $119.40)
• Team Plan: $8.25/user/month (billed annually, minimum 3 users)
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing starting at around $5 per user/month (billed annually); requires requesting a quote.

Download Link: https://www.smartdraw.com/

Compare and Choose the Best Electrical Drawing Software

Let's be real, it's not easy to create an electrical drawing from scratch. It is a detailed work that takes time, skill, and a solid understanding of how circuits function. Thankfully, we've got digital tools today that make things much easier. In this guide, we've gone over some of the best electrical drawing software available to help you find what fits.

Of course, not every tool is for everyone. Some are great for beginners, while others are built for professional engineers. A few have advanced features for teams, and some are better for quick solo projects. But one tool that stands out from the rest is EdrawMax.

What makes EdrawMax special is how flexible it is. It's not just for electrical diagrams; you can create flowcharts, floor plans, infographics, mind maps, and even storyboards. It comes with built-in templates, thousands of symbols, and it's super easy to use. You can export your designs in formats like PDF, Word, or Visio, and it even has a free version to get started.

To wrap it up, EdrawMax is the all-in-one tool that covers everything you need; no matter if you're a beginner or a pro. It's simple, powerful, and designed to make drawing easier for everyone.