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Electronics
Kerf vs Altium Designer
Industrial-grade PCB design — Situs router vs MIT open-core EDA.
38/38in Kerf today
36/38in Altium Designer (included)
0behind a paid tier
2026-05-19last reviewed
Grouped by discipline (D1–D14), same as Kerf's own capability list. Click a section to expand it.
D6 Electronics / EDA / silicon
| Capability | Kerf | Altium Designer |
|---|---|---|
| Schematic capture (KiCad round-trip, ERC) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/schematic/capture.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Hierarchical schematic (multi-sheet, port-based) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/hier_schematic.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Multi-channel schematic (repeated blocks) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/hier_schematic.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| ERC depth |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/erc.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Component library management |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/lib_mgmt.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Design variants / BOM variants |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/variants.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Interactive PCB editing (route/place) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/routing/push_shove.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Push-and-shove router (Situs engine) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/shove_router.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Autoroute (FreeRouting) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/autoroute.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Differential pairs routing + length tuning |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/diffpair.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Net classes and design rules |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/net_classes.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| DRC / ERC |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/drc_presets.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| HDI stack-up (buried/blind/micro-via) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/stackup/impedance.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Impedance-controlled stack-up |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/stackup/impedance.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Rigid-flex PCB stack-up |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/flex_stackup.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Multi-board design (MB3D workspace) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/plugin.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| 3D PCB editor (STEP import, clearance) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/fab.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Via stitching / copper pour / teardrops |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/via_stitching.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Panelisation |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/panelize.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| SPICE simulation (mixed-signal) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/routes_spice.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Signal integrity (Z0/crosstalk/eye/IBIS) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/si_eye_wizard.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| PDN (DC IR-drop + AC sweep) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/pdn_wizard.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| EMC (radiated/shielding/limits) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/emc_wizard.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| PCB thermal (board-level) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/thermal_board.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Analog PVT corner simulation |
yes
packages/kerf-silicon/src/kerf_silicon/analog/pvt.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Antenna / link budget |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/antenna/tools.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Gerber / Excellon NC drill output |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/fab.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| ODB++ output |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/odbpp_export.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| IPC-2581 output |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/fab_bundle.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| IPC-D-356A netlist output |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/ipc_netlist.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| IDF MCAD bridge |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/idf_export.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| PCB layer tools (flip/mirror/layer mapping) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/pcb_layer_tools.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Test point management |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/testpoint.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Silicon synth (Yosys) / STA / GDS / formal |
yes
packages/kerf-silicon/src/kerf_silicon/formal/equiv.py
|
no source ↗ |
D7 Manufacturing / CAM
| Capability | Kerf | Altium Designer |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveBOM / Octopart supply-chain integration |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tools/bom_cost.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| DFM checks (PCB) |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/dfm/rules.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Trace current / IPC-2221 ampacity |
yes
packages/kerf-electronics/src/kerf_electronics/tracecurrent/ampacity.py
|
yes source ↗ |
D10 Electrical / energy / PLC
| Capability | Kerf | Altium Designer |
|---|---|---|
| Wiring/harness (WireViz + 3D router) |
yes
packages/kerf-wiring/src/kerf_wiring/wireviz_runner.py
|
unknown source ↗ |
- yes shipped
- partial works with limits
- paid tier present, but behind an add-on or meter
- no not available
Corrections welcome. These rows are read off published documentation on the date shown and go stale as products ship. If a row is wrong, open an issue — the source file is public/compare/altium.md and every claim in it carries a link.