Ranked guide · 6 viewers
The best online PCB viewer for your files, ranked
For a KiCad project you need to share, version and review, BoardRepo is the best online PCB viewer: schematic, PCB, 3D and BOM in one browser link. For a quick look at Altium or Eagle files, use Altium 365 Viewer; to check Gerbers before ordering, use Ucamco's Reference Gerber Viewer.
- File formats
- Layers
- 3D
- BOM
- Privacy
- Sharing
The ranking
- BoardRepoKiCad projects you share, version and review
- Altium 365 ViewerAltium, Eagle and ODB++ files, for a quick look
- KiCanvasA quick look at KiCad 6+ files, or an embed
- EasyEDADesigning and editing in the browser
- Ucamco Reference Gerber ViewerChecking Gerbers before they go to fab
- tracespace viewA private Gerber preview in your browser
Online PCB viewers, ranked
Each viewer is placed by how much of the job it covers when you need to open a board in the browser: the files it reads, layer control, 3D, BOM, where your files go and how you share them. Costs are quoted only where the vendor publishes them; every fact links to its source.
Verdict: The best online PCB viewer for KiCad projects: schematic, PCB, 3D and BOM in one link, with saved versions and access control for review.
- Who it suits
- KiCad designers, makers and hardware teams who share boards for review and need versions and BOM context, not just a picture.
- What it costs
- Personal core features are free, including public and private boards, version history and KiCad sync. Team organizations are custom pricing through contact; Enterprise is agreed separately.
- Strengths
- Schematic, PCB, 3D view and parts list (BOM) from the same upload, in any browser
- Saved versions with visual comparison between them
- Share as public, unlisted (link only), password-protected or private; in an organization, admins invite members and assign board access
- Public library of more than 9,000 open-hardware projects, searchable by component, viewable without an account
- Upload a project folder or import it from GitHub; push and pull with desktop KiCad through the BoardRepo for KiCad plugin
- AI assistants (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor) can read boards through an MCP server and save only with your permission
- Limits
- KiCad 6 or newer has the most complete support; Altium sources are kept and converted for viewing, so check the converted view against the original in Altium
- Some uploads do not render fully: a successful upload does not guarantee every view is produced
- Older KiCad, EAGLE and other formats can be stored and versioned, but may not get a preview
- It does not merge simultaneous CAD edits and has no pull requests
- Editing happens in desktop KiCad, not in the browser
Verdict: The widest format list for a quick look, strongest on Altium and Eagle files; uploads are temporary unless you save them to Altium 365.
- Who it suits
- Anyone handed an Altium, Eagle, Gerber or ODB++ file who needs to look at it once, without the CAD tool.
- What it costs
- No price is shown on the viewer page. Check altium.com/viewer for current terms.
- Strengths
- Opens Altium Designer (SchDoc, PcbDoc), Eagle (SCH, BRD), Gerber RS-274X and X2, and ODB++
- Schematic, PCB, 3D and BOM views with search, cross-probing and component inspection
- 2D measurements, layer stack view and graphical Gerber compare
- Embed snippet for putting a design on your own site or forum
- Limits
- KiCad support is labelled beta, and the KiCad file types it lists are .pro, .sch, .kicad_pcb and .lib: check that newer .kicad_sch schematics open
- An upload lasts for your browser session; shared links stay up for a limited period
- Files go to Altium's servers, under its privacy policy and terms
- No version history unless you save to a personal Altium 365 space
Verdict: The quickest open-source way to look at a KiCad 6+ schematic or board, or embed one on your own page; early alpha, with no 3D view.
- Who it suits
- KiCad users who want to glance at a schematic or board, or embed one in documentation or a project page.
- What it costs
- Free and open source, funded by sponsors.
- Strengths
- Interactive KiCad schematic and board views in the browser
- Embedding API for putting a live board on your own website
- Open-source code you can read, run or contribute to
- Limits
- Early alpha: its own README says to expect bugs and missing features
- KiCad 6 and later only; KiCad 5 files do not open
- Some KiCad 7 features, such as custom fonts in schematics, may not be implemented
- No 3D view; a BOM view is not among its listed features
- Tested on desktop Chrome, Firefox and Safari only
Verdict: A full online PCB editor rather than a viewer: the right choice when the design is already in EasyEDA or you want to keep editing in the browser.
- Who it suits
- Makers and students designing in EasyEDA, and anyone who wants to edit, not just view, without installing CAD.
- What it costs
- Free forever for individuals, commercial use included (0.5 GB cloud storage). Premium for individuals is $19.9/month, billed annually.
- Strengths
- Schematic and PCB editing in the browser, with a desktop client too
- 3D preview and BOM export from the editor
- Standard and Pro editions both available on the free plan
- Projects can be published to OSHWLab, EasyEDA's open-hardware community
- Limits
- Needs an account; projects live in EasyEDA's cloud
- Designs from other tools are imported and converted into EasyEDA's format: check EasyEDA's import documentation for supported versions
- Libraries are public on the free plan; private libraries need a paid account
- The free version shows Google ads in the editor and workspace
Verdict: The reference check for Gerber and drill files before they go to fab, from the company behind the Gerber format; no schematic, 3D or BOM.
- Who it suits
- Engineers checking fabrication output (Gerber, Excellon, IPC) before ordering boards.
- What it costs
- Free (freeware, per Ucamco).
- Strengths
- Made by Ucamco, the developer of the Gerber format
- Gerber X1 and X2, Excellon, XNC, NC and IPC files, multi-layer
- Shows all X2 attributes and object information
- Measures distances and clearances; includes a formal syntax checker
- Limits
- Manufacturing files only: no schematic, no 3D, no BOM
- No sharing or saved boards
- Shows what the fab will build, not the design intent behind it
Verdict: A quick, private look at Gerber and drill files that never leave your browser; the project is on indefinite hiatus, so expect no fixes.
- Who it suits
- Makers who want a rendered top and bottom of their Gerbers without uploading them anywhere.
- What it costs
- Free and open source (MIT licence).
- Strengths
- Files are kept in your browser's storage and not sent anywhere else
- Renders the finished board from Gerber and drill files
- Open source; usage analytics only if you opt in
- Limits
- The project is on indefinite hiatus: the current version stays online, but no new fixes are planned
- Gerber and drill files only: no schematic, 3D or BOM
- No sharing
Comparison table
The six criteria side by side. “Partly” means the viewer covers it with a limit noted in the cell; “Not stated” means the vendor does not say, so check its site before relying on it.
| Rank | Viewer | File formats | Layers | 3D | BOM | Privacy | Sharing | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BoardRepo | PartlyKiCad 6 or newer is best supported (schematic, PCB, 3D, BOM, Gerbers, checks, compare). Altium is converted for viewing. Older KiCad, EAGLE and other formats are stored and versioned, without a guaranteed preview. | YesPCB view plus a render of each layer (copper, mask, silkscreen, courtyard, fab). | Yes3D view of the board in the browser. | YesParts list grouped by type, with references, values and footprints. | YesBoards can be public, unlisted, password-protected or private, free for personal use. Files are stored until you delete them; BoardRepo's terms grant no model-training rights over your projects. | YesPublic, unlisted link, password link or private; organization admins assign board access to members. | Personal core features are free, including public and private boards, version history and KiCad sync. Team organizations are custom pricing through contact; Enterprise is agreed separately. |
| 2 | Altium 365 Viewer | YesAltium (SchDoc, PcbDoc), Eagle (SCH, BRD), Gerber RS-274X and X2, ODB++, KiCad in beta. ZIP, 7z or RAR packages. | YesLayer controls, layer stack view and 2D measurements. | Yes3D view of the board. | YesBOM view and an interactive assembly view that steps through it. | PartlyUpload is removed when you close the tab, unless you share or save it. Files are processed on Altium's servers. | PartlyLink anyone can open, for a limited period; embed code; save to a personal Altium 365 space. | No price is shown on the viewer page. Check altium.com/viewer for current terms. |
| 3 | KiCanvas | PartlyKiCad 6 and later schematics and boards only. | YesBoard layers can be shown and hidden. | NoNo 3D view. | Not statedNot listed as a feature: check kicanvas.org. | Not statedOpen source, so how files are handled can be read in the code. No privacy terms are stated on kicanvas.org. | PartlyEmbed on your own pages through the embedding API; no access control of its own. | Free and open source, funded by sponsors. |
| 4 | EasyEDA | PartlyEasyEDA Standard and Pro natively; files from other tools by import and conversion. | YesFull layer control, as in a desktop editor. | Yes3D preview of the board. | YesBOM from the design. | PartlyAccount required; designs are stored in EasyEDA's cloud. On-premises hosting is offered on request. | PartlyTeam workspaces and OSHWLab publishing; check EasyEDA for view-only link options. | Free forever for individuals, commercial use included (0.5 GB cloud storage). Premium for individuals is $19.9/month, billed annually. |
| 5 | Ucamco Reference Gerber Viewer | PartlyGerber X1 and X2, Excellon, XNC, NC and IPC: manufacturing files only. | YesMulti-layer view with measurement and object information. | NoNo 3D view. | NoNo BOM. | Not statedServed over https; check Ucamco's terms for how long uploads are kept. | NoNo sharing links. | Free (freeware, per Ucamco). |
| 6 | tracespace view | PartlyGerber and drill files only. | YesBoard render and individual layers. | NoNo 3D view. | NoNo BOM. | YesFiles stay in browser-side storage and are not sent elsewhere; analytics are opt-in. | NoNo sharing links. | Free and open source (MIT licence). |
The ranking criteria
What each criterion asks. How each was checked, and what was not tested, is on How the viewers are ranked.
- File formatsWhich design and manufacturing files open natively, and which are converted on the way in?
- LayersCan you turn copper, silkscreen, mask and drill layers on and off, and inspect or measure?
- 3DIs there a 3D view of the assembled board?
- BOMCan you see the parts list (bill of materials) next to the design?
- PrivacyWhere do your files go, how long do they stay, and can you keep a board private?
- SharingCan you send someone a view-only link, and control who sees it and for how long?
Questions people ask when choosing
What is the best online PCB viewer?
For KiCad projects you want to share and review, BoardRepo: it opens the schematic, PCB, 3D view and BOM in the browser and keeps saved versions. For a one-off look at Altium, Eagle or ODB++ files, Altium 365 Viewer. For checking Gerbers before ordering, Ucamco's Reference Gerber Viewer. The ranking above sets out why, criterion by criterion.
Can I view a PCB online without installing anything?
Yes. Every viewer on this list runs in a desktop browser. EasyEDA needs an account; BoardRepo needs one to upload and share your own boards; Altium 365 Viewer, KiCanvas, Ucamco's viewer and tracespace view open files straight away.
Which online viewer opens KiCad files?
BoardRepo has the most complete KiCad support (schematic, PCB, 3D, BOM, versions). KiCanvas opens KiCad 6 and later schematics and boards. Altium 365 Viewer lists KiCad as beta. See the KiCad guide for what to upload so the board renders fully.
How do I open an Altium .PcbDoc without Altium Designer?
Altium 365 Viewer opens SchDoc and PcbDoc files natively in the browser. BoardRepo keeps Altium sources and converts them for viewing, alongside versions and sharing; compare the converted view against the original.
What is the best online Gerber viewer?
Ucamco's Reference Gerber Viewer, from the company behind the Gerber format: it reads X1 and X2, Excellon and IPC files, shows X2 attributes and measures clearances. tracespace view keeps files in your browser. Check your fab's own preview last, since that is what they build.
Is it safe to upload a PCB design to an online viewer?
It depends on where the files go. tracespace view keeps Gerbers in your browser. Altium 365 Viewer removes an upload when you close the tab unless you share or save it. Workspaces such as BoardRepo and EasyEDA store projects so they can be shared; BoardRepo boards can be private or behind a password. Read the terms before uploading anything under NDA.
Which online viewers show the 3D board and the BOM?
BoardRepo, Altium 365 Viewer and EasyEDA show both. KiCanvas, Ucamco's viewer and tracespace view do not have a 3D view. A 3D view is only as complete as the models included in your upload.
Why does my board look wrong in the viewer?
Usually because of what was uploaded: a missing layer or sheet, 3D models outside the project folder, unfilled copper zones, an old file version or a conversion between tools. The viewer checklist goes through each.