Tool profile
DipTrace: cost, fit and limits
DipTrace is a schematic capture and PCB layout program published by Novarm Limited and sold as perpetual licenses in five editions, from Starter to Full, with limits on pin count and signal layers that rise with each edition.
What to know first
DipTrace is priced by edition, one time. Starter costs €65 for 300 pins and 2 signal layers, Lite €135, Standard €365, Extended €645 and Full €925 with unlimited pins and layers. Volume prices apply to a single order of 3 or 5 copies, and larger orders need a quote. Checkout runs through FastSpring on the online store. The pages we read name no AI feature and no company location.
DipTrace at a glance
| Maker | Novarm Limited, Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Entry price | €65 |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI PCB Design Software in 2026, rank 5 of 12 |
| Website | diptrace.com |
Who DipTrace is best for
Small hardware companies
Printed one-time prices let a founder budget a license in a minute and avoid yearly renewals, with pin and layer caps shown before checkout.
Hobbyists with simple boards
Starter at €65 covers 300 pins and 2 signal layers, which is enough for many hobby and prototype boards that do not need dense routing.
Multilingual teams
The site lists language packs for Spanish, Italian, French, Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian and Chinese, helpful for staff who prefer a menu in their own language.
DipTrace plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| DipTrace Starter | €65 | One-time license limited to 300 pins and 2 signal layers, the cheapest way into the product. |
| DipTrace Lite | €135 | One-time license for 500 pins and 2 signal layers, a step up in pin count at the same layer cap. |
| DipTrace Standard | €365 | One-time license for 1000 pins and 4 signal layers, where multilayer boards become possible for the first time in the range. |
| DipTrace Extended | €645 | One-time license for 2000 pins and 6 signal layers, aimed at denser professional boards with more connections per design. |
| DipTrace Full | €925 | One-time license with unlimited pins and unlimited signal layers, the top edition on the store. |
Checked November 2026.
What DipTrace does
- Schematic and layout in one package
- Schematic capture and PCB layout ship together, with the pin and layer limits set by the edition you buy, so each purchase covers the whole flow.
- Perpetual licensing
- Each edition is a one-time purchase, so a hardware company can keep using a version without a yearly fee, which suits teams that dislike recurring software costs.
- Volume pricing
- Volume prices cover a single order of several units, 3 or 5 copies, and apply only to that order. More than 5 copies needs a quote from the vendor.
- Libraries and 3D models
- Libraries and 3D models are downloadable from the Downloads menu on the site, which gives a new user parts to place before creating custom ones.
- Language packs
- Spanish, Italian, French, Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian and Chinese packs are listed, so non-English teams do not have to design in an English menu, and new staff can learn in their own language.
How DipTrace handles your data
DipTrace is installed software sold through an online store with secure checkout by FastSpring, and the privacy page covers data collected through the site and store. The pages we read do not state training use, retention periods, hosting region or certifications, and the product is not described as having AI features or a cloud design service. Novarm Limited is named as the publisher on the about page, though a headquarters country is not stated there. Design files remain on the customer's machines unless the team stores them elsewhere.
Where DipTrace falls short in practice
- Pin and layer caps. Starter and Lite stop at 2 signal layers, and Starter at 300 pins. A design that grows into a 4-layer board forces a move to Standard at €365, so choose the edition from your largest planned board.
- No AI on the pages read. No AI assistant, auto-completion or chat feature is named on the pages we read. A buyer who wants AI drafting needs Flux, and one who wants AI in simulation can look at Proteus.
- Quote above five copies. Volume prices cover only a single order of 3 or 5 copies. A company outfitting a larger team must ask for a quote and cannot rely on the printed table.
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DipTrace: common questions
How much does DipTrace cost?
As of November 2026 the online store lists perpetual licenses at €65 for Starter, €135 for Lite, €365 for Standard, €645 for Extended and €925 for Full. Prices are one time, per edition. Volume prices exist for 3 or 5 copies in one order, and bigger orders need a quote.
What are the DipTrace Starter limits?
Starter is limited to 300 pins and 2 signal layers. Lite raises the pin cap to 500 but keeps 2 signal layers, Standard allows 1000 pins and 4 layers, and Extended 2000 pins and 6 layers. Full removes both limits. Count the pins on your largest planned board before choosing.
Is DipTrace a subscription?
No. The store describes perpetual licenses sold per edition as a one-time purchase. We did not read the update or maintenance terms, so confirm what a license includes for new versions before buying. That distinguishes it from Altium Designer and eCADSTAR, which are described as subscriptions.
Does DipTrace have AI features?
The DipTrace pages we read name no AI feature. It is a schematic and layout package with library and 3D model downloads. If AI drafting is the goal, Flux is the browser option that describes it, and Proteus names EDAi for circuit help inside simulation.
Which languages does DipTrace support?
The site lists language packs for Spanish, Italian, French, Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian and Chinese, alongside the default interface. We did not test them. Confirm that a pack covers the menus and help files your team needs, and whether it ships with the installer or is a separate download.